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 Australian Army November 14, 1942  Kildea November 3, 1942  RAAF 1965  Phil Bradley 2009 |
Location Lat 8° 53' 5S Long 147° 43' 52E Kokoda Airfield is located to the southwest of Kokoda at an elevation of 1,240' above sea level in New Guinea. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the in the Northern District (Northern Province) in the Territory of Papua. Today located in Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Construction Built during 1932 to service the gold prospecting in the nearby Yodda valley and mountains. A single grass surfaced runway was built running roughly north to south. To the west of the runway was the Saga plantation planted with rubber trees. To the east were native gardens and the Madi Creek. Prewar Twin engine aircraft including Junkers G.31 were able to take off and land at Kokoda Airfield. A iron shed was located at the southeast corner of the runway for loading aircraft. At the northwest end of the runway was a house and store. At the northeast corner was a barracks building used by the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB). Wartime History In middle 1942 the runway was described as 1000 yard grass surfaced strip. Facilities included a European house, food and water. After the July 21-22, 1942 Japanese landing on the north coast and began to rapidly advance inland towards Kokoda. At that time, a single platoon commanded by Lt. Garland of the "Maroubra Force" was at Kokoda defending Kokoda Airfield. Other forces were still crossing the Kokoda Trail or were moved elsewhere including Oivi, Gorari and Awala. Ob August 10, 1942 occupied by the Japanese Army but never used as an airfield during the Japanese occupation of the area, although some Japanese aircraft air dropped supplies to the troops in the ground. By late October 1942, the Japanese withdrew from the Kokoda area. Allied missions against Kokoda and Kokoda Airfield August 3, 1942–October 4, 1942 On November 5, 192 Australian forces reoccupied Kokoda Airfield which was immediately repaired allowing Allied C-47 transports to land with supplies and reinforcements. One of the first aircraft to land was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-47 Dakota CH-XFK. Today Still in use today. Airport code: KKD. Kokoda Airfield is grass surfaced. There is no regular flights to this airfield aside from charter flights, primarily of trekkers by Airlines PNG and Tropic Air from from Jackson Airport to Kokoda during the trekking season. References Notes about New Guinea airfields, recorded circa May - July, 1942 by Oliver C. Doan via Jean Doan research Edward Rogers Field Guide to the Kokoda Track pages 367 (photo), 368 (map) 374 (map), 373, 377 (1942 map), 382 (map) 386 Contribute
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