|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
 5th AF c1944     Charles Page Nov 2004 |
Location Lat 9° 18' 12S Long 150° 19' 8E Vivigani Airfield is located west of Vivigani on the northeast of Goodenough Island. Prewar and during the Pacific War, located in the Eastern District in Territory of Papua. Today located in Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Construction Prewar, a small runway was built at this location. Another small runway was located at Wataluma Mission. Wartime History On October 27, 1942 the Australian Army 2/12th Battalion arrived at Vivigani with a U.S. Army engineer that made a report saying that the airstrip one mile northwest of the mission could be prepared for emergency use by clearing rocks and vegetation, and advised that a "permanent strip 6,000 feet long can be constructed." Immediately, RAAF No 7 Mobile Works Squadron began working to expand Vivigani Airfield. On October 31, 1942 only days into the expansion, RAAF Anson low on fuel, made an emergency landing. Fuel was shipped over and the plane departed on November 9, 1942 just missing the mangrove swamp at the end of the runway on take off. During April 1943 an emergency strip was constructed and a road was also built from the docks to the airfield. On May 17, 1943 first used by six Beauforts from No. 100 Squadron staging from Gurney Field on a bombing mission against Gasmata. Afterwards, used by both American and Australian liaison, fighter and bomber aircraft. Between June 1943 until September 1943, the airfield was expanded and improved. When completed, it had two parallel runways measuring 6,600' x 150' plus taxiways and a revetment area. RAAF units based at Vivigani No. 108 Communication Unit (PBYs) No. 22 Squadron (Boston) 5 Mile Drome arrives August 1943– No. 79 Squadron (Spitfire) Wooloomanata arrives June 2, 1943–August 18, 1943 departs Kiriwina No. 6 Squadron (Beaufort) ? - Dobodura 1944(?) No. 30 Squadron (Beaufighter) Wards Drome July 28, 1943 - ? American units based at Vivigani 1st Marine Division, Air Liaison (12 x L-4s) arrives December 1943 departs Cape Gloucester Marine Liaison Aviation During the middle of 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) 1st Marine Division General Rupertus assigned 1st Lt. R. F. Murry to organize liaison planes to support the division. The U.S. Army provided a dozen L-4s. Three were retained as spares. The other nine trained on Goodenough for artillery spotting, radio communication and snagging messages from between poles, and dropping supplies. They deployed on LSTs to the landing at Cape Gloucester. Today Still in use today as Vivigani Airport and served by weekly domestic flights. Airport codes: IATA: VIV. Charles Page adds: "The 6,000 feet bitumen runway is still in use, and only slightly weed strewn. The many aircraft revetments are clearly visible, especially from the air. Various aircraft components can still be found scattered around. Towards the mountains, a fast running creek gushes over a waterfall and into a rock pool, which was used by the WWII crews for recreation and washing. The locals drove me out to Vivigani airfield to await the Airlines PNG Twin Otter. This weekly flight is invariably delayed due to weather or serviceability, and this day the plane was four hours late. The airfield has virtually no facilities, and the time was spent further exploring the area. Then with no warning, the Twin Otter swept in low from the north and we were soon on our way to Alotau." Until the middle of the 1970s, many Australian and American aircraft remained around the airfield until most were recovered by Yesterday's Air Force (Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation) and contemporary salvages by Robert Greinert / HARS to remove a container worth of parts and aircraft from the island. Spitfire Mark Vc Serial Number A58-146 Recovered to Australia in 1974, restored to static display Beaufort Serial Number A9-226 Cockpit and center section recovered from Vivigani in 1974 DB-7B "J is for Jessica" Serial Number A28-8 Recovered by the RAAF, displayed at RAAF Point Cook Museum P-40K Serial Number A29-183 Recovered by Robert Greinert / HARS during 1999-2001 to Australia then on sold P-40N Kittyhawk Serial Number ? Recovered by Robert Greinert / HARS during 1999-2001 to Australia then on sold CA-19 Boomerang Recovered by Robert Greinert / HARS during 1999-2001 to Australia then on sold Beaufighter Mark VI References Thanks to Phil Bradley and John Douglas for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map 1943 Map Fallingrain |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
