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 Larronde April 1942   Jackson April 24, 1942  USAAF August 1942  3rd BG c1942    5th AF c1943  80th FS August 1943  First Fighters 1943  Justin Taylan 2003 |
Location 3 Mile Drome was located near Kila Kila inland from the southern coast of New Guinea. During the colonial era, Pacific War, and today, this area was referred to as "3 Mile" because it was roughly three miles from Port Moresby. Also known as "Kila Drome" or "Kila Kila Drome". Borders Joyce Bay to the south. Today located in the National Capital District (NCD) of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Construction During 1933, built by the Australian administration as a single runway that served as the first civilian airfield to provide air service for Port Moresby. Connected to Port Moresby by the Pari Road spanning southwest from Port Moresby and terminated at the runway. After the start of the Pacific War, expand and improved by the U.S. Army during 1942–1943 for use by military aircraft including for fighters, light bombers and service aircraft. As of October 8, 1943 the single runway was 5,000' x 100' surfaced with black loam with steel mat (marston matting / PSP) with a parallel taxiway. A dispersal area with revetments and taxiways were located on the northern side of the runway. Several buildings were located at the center of the runway including a wind cone and control tower. To the northwest was Kila Dump. A large hill at on the approach to the field limited its usefulness for larger aircraft. Wartime History By April 1942 occupied by the U.S. Army and expanded for use as a military airfield. One of the first units to arrive was the 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG) operating A-24 Dive Bombers and A-20 Havocs. 3 Mile Drome was targeted by Japanese bombers and fighters and was subjected to bombing raids and air combat overhead between April 1942 until late July 1942. Japanese missions against 3 Mile Drome (Kila Drome) April 26, 1942–July 20, 1942 Later in 1942, based the 8th Fighter Group (8th FG) operating P-39 Airacobras and later P-38 Lightnings. Plus the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 8th Fighter Squadron (8th FS) operating the P-40 Warhawk. On January 26, 1943 after take off A-20A 'Spook' Serial Number 40-109 piloted by 1st Lt. Turner Williamson crashed with the pilot was trapped inside and burned to death. During the middle of 1943 the 347th Fighter Group, 67th Fighter Squadron operated P-39 Airacobras from this airfield. American units based at 3 Mile Drome (Kila Drome, Kila Kila Drome) 3rd BG, 89th BS (A-20) Charters Towers arrives September 1, 1942–May 9, 1943 departs Dobodura 3rd BG, 8th BS (A-24s, A-20) Charters Towers arrives January 28, 1943 49th FG, 8th FS (P-40) Darwin arrives September 25, 1942–April 15, 1943 departs Dobodura 8th FG, 80th FS (P-39, P-38) Mareeba arrives March 21, 1943–December 11, 1943 departs Dobodura No. 15 8th FG, 35th FS (P-40) Mareeba arrives May 10, 1943–December 25, 1943 departs Finschafen 347th FG, 67th FS (P-39) New Caledonia arrives May 30, 1943–June 28, 1943 departs Milne Bay By the middle of 1943, other airfield were developed around Port Moresby and elsewhere including Dobodura and Milne Bay, this airfield was less used in favor of other bases. Today Disused since the war, the airfield is now part of the Kila Police Barracks, a golf course and a technical school. Some of the wartime revetments remain on the police property and portions of the wartime taxiways and runway are visible. References Edward Rogers adds: "The 8th BS: one history has them setting up at Koki quarters late on April 6, 1942. They were supposed to fly a mission to Lae on April 6 but a Japanese raid against PM interrupted their plans and it had to be delayed until April 7. All subsequent A-24 operations (April 7 - end of battle of Coral Sea) were based at 3 Mile. A-24s were sent back and forth between 7-Mile and 3-Mile depending on repairs, overhauls as well as transit flights from Charters Towers." Thanks to John Douglas, Michael Claringbould and Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute
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