|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
 USAAF c1944   Justin Taylan 2003 |
Location Carney Field was located near Koli Point on the north coast of Guadalcanal near the Metapona River to the east and the Naumbu River to the west. To the southeast was Crash Strip (Koli Point) and beyond Koli Field (Bomber 3). To the west roughly 12 miles away is Henderson Field. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today located in Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands. Further to the west is Honiara. Construction On October 20, 1942 as one of his first orders as Commander-in-Chief, South Pacific (COMSOPAC) Admiral William F. Halsey ordered the construction of a new bomber strip inland from Koli Point. On December 5, 1942 construction began by U.S. Navy (USN) 14th Naval Construction Battalion (14th NCB) "Seabees" led by Captain James V. Carney after they completed repairs to Henderson Field. By December 17, 1942 they had built an emergency runway that measured 7,300' x 150' oriented roughly northeast to southwest. On December 16, 1942 the first landing was by SBD Dauntless 06667 piloted by Captain James V. Carney who pronounced it satisfactory. After taking off again, his plane developed engine trouble over Sealark Channel and crashed into the sea killing Carney and his passenger. Afterwards, the new airfield was named "Carney Field" in honor of Captain James V. Carney. Afterwards, the runway was further expanded. Wartime History Carney Field was used by U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) 13th Air Force (13th AF) bombers with taxiways added on both sides of the runways. By January 1945 the runway measured 6,700' x 150'. U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) units based at Carney 42nd BG, 390th BS (B-25C) June - Oct 21, 1943 Banika / Stirling 307th BG, HQ ? - January 28, 1944 Munda 307th BG, 371st BS (B-24D) August 25 - Dec 28, 1943 Munda 307th BG, 424th BS (B-24) August 25 - Dec 28, 1943 Munda 307th BG, 372st BS (B-24D) Espiritu Santo August 25, 1943 - Dec 28, 1943 Munda 307th BG, 370th BS (B-24D) ? - February 22, 1944 Munda 5th BG, 394th BS (SB-24 Snoopers) ? Feb 28, 44 Munda returns April 9-13, 1944 Momote 5th BG, HQ Espiritu Santo arrives August 19, 1943–April 12, 1944 Momote 5th BG, 31st BS (B-24) February , 2, 1944 Munda - April 20, 1944 Momote 5th BG, 72nd BS (B-24) ? - January 27, 1944 Munda U.S. Navy (USN) units based at Carney VD-1 (PB4Y-1) November 1942 VB-106 (PB4Y-1) October 28, 1943 - ? VB-101 (PB4Y-1) late March 1943 - ? VB-102 (PB4Y-1) VB-104 (PB4Y-1) August 1943 - Oct/Nov 1943 (?) Munda U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) units based at Carney VMD-254 (PB4Y-1) Feb 15, 1944 - July 1944 Today Disused since the Pacific War. References History of the 14th Naval Construction Battalion by R.N. Woldy, page 19 Mack Morris South Pacific Diary" page 237 by Ronnie Day "14th CBs landed November 42 on Guadalcanal as part of composite unit called ACORN RED ONE, the CO of which was Capt. James V. Carney, USN." Thanks to John Innes and Ewan Stevenson for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map January 1945 Map Detail January 1945  Photo Archive  View in Google Earth |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
