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    Saravia Airfield (Alicante) Negros Occidental Province Philippines
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USAAF 1944

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Justin Taylan 2024
Location
Lat 10° 52' 33N Long 122° 58' 7E  Saravia Airfield was located near Saravia (Enrique B. Magalona, EB Magalona) to the southwest in Negros Occidental Province on the northwestern Negros Island in the Western Visayas Region (Region VI) of the Philippines. Known to the Japanese as Saravia Airfield for Saravia (Enrique B. Magalona, EB Magalona) to the southwest. Known to the Americans as Alicante Airfield for Alicante a half miles to the southeast.

Construction
During early 1944, built by the Japanese Army with two runways with taxiways and revetments off the southwest and eastern side of the airfield area. Surrounded by several taxiways and aircraft revetments and blast pens. The runway could accommodate fighters and bombers. One runway was oriented east-northeast to west-southwest measured around 4,200-4,800' x 550' surfaced with sod for all weather use. Supplies were moved to and from Saravia and Tanza airfields by several narrow gauge railways from the Philippine Hawaiian Sugar Company.

Wartime History
Used by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as a military airfield for fightera and bombers. At least one A6M5 Zero landed there, likely returning from a mission or due to mechanical issues.

Japanese units based at Saravia Airfield (Alicante)
27th Hiko Sentai (Ki-45) arrives October 1944–January 1945
51st Hiko Sentai (Ki-84) arrives October 1944-November 1944
52nd Sentai (Ki-84) Del Carmen arrives October 1944-November 1944 departs Del Carmen
200th Sentai (Ki-84) arrives October 1944–November 1944 departs Tanza

Starting in early the middle of October 1944, targeted by American bombers and fighters. On November 8, 1944 B-24 Liberators from 307th BG bomb Alicante Airfield and are intercepted by Japanese fighters with B-24L Liberator 44-41421 1st Lt. Walter A. Scalese hit by a fighter and crashed. Damaged B-24L Liberator 44-41264 pilot 1st Lt. Kenneth C. Sanderson later crashed on the return flight. Bombing missions continued until the middle of December 1944.

American missions against Alicante
October 19, 1944–December 19, 1944

By early April 1945 liberated by the U.S. Army. At Alicante Airfield, Allied Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) noted the wreckage of eight Ki-45 Nicks, one A6M5 Zero and thirty-five Ki-84 Franks.

Postwar
Disused as an airfield since the Pacific War.

Today
The former airfield area is part of Saravia (Enrique B. Magalona, EB Magalona).

References
Index to Air Bases - Research Report No. 85, I.G. No 9185 - July 30, 1944
ATIU Intelligence Summary No. 281 "Planes Recovered on Airfields" July 21, 1945 page 27 via Tony Feredo
"Alicante A/D, Negros: Nick - 8, Zeke 52 - 1, Frank - 35"
Thanks to Tony Feredo for additional information

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Last Updated
October 29, 2024

 

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