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 USAAF 1944  Justin Taylan 2024 |
Location Lat 10° 46' 37" N Long 123° 1' 11" E Silay Airfield is located at an elevation of 85' above sea level in sugarcane field that were part of Hacienda Naga (Barrio Naga) to the southeast of Silay in Negros Occidental Province on Negros Island in the Western Visayas Region (Region VI) of the Philippines. Still in use today as Bacolod-Silay International Airport or Silay International Airport. Construction During the middle of 1944, built by the Japanese as a single runway at Silay in sugarcane fields that were part of Hacienda Naga. Built as a satellite field for Bacolod Airfield and Saravia Airfield (Alicante). The single runway was oriented northeast to southwest measured 4,500' x 500' with a graded portion that measured 2,900' x 180' and was being expanded until September 1944. Wartime History Used by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as a military airfield for fighters and bombers. Japanese units based at Silay Airfield Hakko Unit No. 2 “Ichiu” (Ki-43-III) arrives December 1944 Hakko Unit No. 3 “Yasukuni Unit” (Ki-43-III) arrives November 1944–December 1944 65th Hiko Sentai (Ki-51) arrives September 1944–December 1944 66th Hiko Sentai (Ki-51) arrives September 1944–December 1944 67th Hiko Sentai (Ki-51) arrives September 1944–December 1944 Starting in the middle of December 1944, targeted by American bombers and fighters until early February 1945. By the end of the Pacific War, there were about 200 plus destroyed and abandoned planes at Silay Airfield. American missions against Silay December 17, 1944–February 7, 1945 By early April 1945 liberated by the U.S. Army. At Silay Airfield, Allied Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) noted the wreckage of fourteen Ki-45 Nicks, two A6M5 Zero, three Ki-44 Tojos, two Ki-84 Franks, eleven Ki-61 Tonys, one Ki-43 Oscar, one D4Y3 Judy, one Topsy, two Ki-51 Sonias, eight Ki-46-III Dinahs, two Ki-21 Sallys and one G4M2 Betty. Postwar At the end of the Pacific War, disused as an airfield. The Japanese plane wreckage was scrapped or buried. Afterwards, replanted at sugarcane fields. Today During the early 2000, redeveloped into Bacolod-Silay International Airport as a new airport to replace Bacolod Airfield. The orientation of the new runway is slightly different from the wartime runway. David Mason reported in 2000: "The airfield complex is still there and they're building a new airport runway and passenger terminal for the city of Bocolod. They are in the process of constructing a new airport here. Occasionally they dig up Japanese aircraft bits." The new airport was opened as Bacolod-Silay International Airport or Silay International Airport and classified as a small airport. The single runway is oriented 22/04 measures 6,416' x 98' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: RPVB IATA: BCD. When opened, Bacolod Airfield was closed and the area developed into office and manufacturing space. 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 "Silay A/D, Negros: Nick - 14, Zeke 52 - 2, Tojo - 3, Frank - 2, Tony - 11, Oscar - 1, Judy 33 - 1, Topsy - 1, Sonia - 2, Dinah 3 - 8, Sally - 2, Betty 22 - 1" Thanks to David Mason and Tony Feredo for additional information Contribute
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