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 35th FG c1945 |
Location Hill Airfield was located parallel to the rail road line on the west coast of Mindoro Island. Also known as Hill Field, Hill Drome or Hill Airdrome. The tower was code named "Hammer". To the south is San Jose Airfield (McGuire) and beyond Mangarin Bay. To the north is San Jose and Elmore Airfield. To the northeast is Murtha Airfield. north of McGuire Airfield (San Jose) and south of San Jose. Construction The single runway oriented roughly north to south measured 5,750' x 100' was surfaced with packed earth and was prone to dust when dry and mud when wet. After Murtha Airfield most planes perferred that location as it had a better runway and less dust and mud. Wartime History In late December 1944, used by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) fighters, bombers and transports as a forward airfield to support the American liberation of the Philippines and for the landings on Luzon. Designated U.S. Army Post Office 321 (APO 321). On December 20, 1944 around 11:30am after C-47s from Leyte land at Hill Field, Japanese appear overhead and are intercepted by P-38s from 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS). During the air combat, they claim two Ki-45 Nicks and four Ki-43 Oscars (possibly Ki-84 Franks) shot down. Three damaged planes crash landing at Hill Filed including P-38L 44-25310 pilot 2nd Francis S. Ford (survived), P-38L pilot Lt. Anderson and P-38L pilot Lt. Lowrey. By late January 1945, most units moved northward to Luzon. By July 1, 1945 listed as abandoned. American units based at Hill (Hammer) 71st TRG, 17th TRS (B-25s) 433d TCG, 66th TCS (C-47s) Biak January 18, 1945 - ? 403d TCG (C-47s) ? - February 27, 1945 65th TCS, 433d TCG (C-46 & C-47s) Biak January 25, 1945 - ? 71 TRG, 82nd TRS (F-6D ) Morotai via Tacloban arrives December 29, 1944–January 17, 1945 departs Lingayen 58th FG, 311th FS Elmore circa Dec 21, 1944 Today Disused since the Pacific War. References Airdromes Guide Southwest Pacific Area - 1 July 1945 Attack & Conquer The 8th Fighter Group in World War II (1999) pages 223-224 (December 20, 1944) Thanks to Tony Feredo for additional information Contribute
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 Map Dec 15, 1944 Map 1945  View in Google Earth |
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