|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
  USAAF 1945 |
Location Lat 13° 10' 0" Long 23° 44' 0" Legaspi Airfield is located outside Legaspi in southern Luzon in the Bicol Region (Region V) in the Philippines. Also known as "Sanborn" or "Legazpi". Construction Built prewar as a military and civilian airfield. Wartime History During the middle of December 1941, occupied by the Japanese Army. Later in the month, a contingent of Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai began operating from Legaspi Airfield until early 1942. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, used by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) aircraft as a transit point to other locations. During 1944, Ki-43 Oscars from the 33rd Sentai were based at Legaspi. Japanese units based at Legaspi Tainan Kokutai (A6M2 Zero) Tainan late December 1941–January 16, 1942 Tarakan 33rd Sentai (Ki-43) 1944 On December 14, 1941 bombed by B-17s and strafed by P-40E Warhawk piloted by Lt. Grattan "Grant" Mahony. On April 7, 1942 bombed during the "Royce Mission". Starting in the middle of November 1944 again targed by American planes until late April 1945. American missions against Legaspi Airfield December 14, 1941–April 27, 1945 On April 1, 1945, the U.S. Army landed at Legaspi and liberated Legaspi Airfield. At Legaspi Airfield, Allied Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) noted the wreckage of two A6M2 Zeros, twelve A6M5 Zeros, five Ki-43-II Oscars, five Jills, four G4M2 Bettys, three D4Y3 Judys, three Georges, two Ki-61 Tony, one D3A Val, one Francis, one G3M Nell, one Tess and two Ki-45 Nicks. Today Still in use today as Legaspi Airport, a small airport that serves as the primary airport in the Bicol Region. The single runway is oriented 24/06 measures 7,480' x 118' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes IATA: LGP – ICAO: RPLP. References ATIU Intelligence Summary No. 281 "Planes Recovered on Airfields" July 21, 1945 page 27 via Tony Feredo "Legaspi A/D, Luzon: Zeke 21 - 2, Zeke 52 - 12, Oscar 2 - 5, Jill 12 - 5, Betty 22 - 4, Judy 33 - 3, George 11 - 3, Tony - 2, Val - 1, Francis - 1, Nell - 1, Tess - 1, Nick - 2" Thanks to Tony Feredo for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map Fallingrain  View in Google Earth  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
