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  USMC March 1944  Ray Fairfield 1972 |
Location Talasea Airfield was located on the western side of Talasea on the north coast of west New Britain. To the east is Garua Island. Also known as Old Talasea Airfield. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in West New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Construction Built prewar by the Australian administration as a small landing strip with an uphill grade. Wartime History Occupied by the Japanese during 1942 until early March 1944. Used by the Japanese in a limited capacity as an emergency landing strip. American missions against Talasea March 6, 1943–March 26, 1944 During early March 1944, occupied by U.S. Marines. The runway was deemed too short to accommodate fighters, but was repaired and used by liaison planes and light aircraft. The single runway was long enough to be classified as emergency airstrip and used for two force landings during early September 1944. Today After the war it was abandoned. In the late 1960s, the entire area was planted with oil palm trees and harvested for oil palm. In early August 2002, A volcano eruption temporarily closed the Hoskins Airfield due to ash. Plans included reopening Talasea Airfield as as an alternate landing ground. B-25H Mitchell Serial Number 43-4513 Pilot Wofendale force landed September 3, 1944 PV-1 Ventura Serial Number NZ4522 Pilot Thomas, force landed September 9, 1944 References Island of the Damned page 87 "The Japs had built a small airstrip near the shore, and there was a Jap fighter plane on its back in the middle of the runway." Contribute
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 Map 1944 |
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