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 Bill Barrett 1943  USMC Nov 6, 1943  Bill Barrett 1943  USN 1945 |
Location Lat 8° 31' 30S Long 179° 11' 46E Funafuti Airfield is located on Fongafale Island on the eastern side of Funafuti in Tuvalu (Ellice Islands). The runway spans the length of the island from northeast to southwest at an elevation of 9' above sea level. Sometimes misspelled "Funifuti Airfield" in wartime accounts. Still in use today as Funafuti International Airport. Construction During 1942, built by U.S. Navy (USN) 2nd Naval Construction Battalion "Seabees". Funafuti Airfield included an airstrip, control tower, facilities and radio station at Tepuka, connected by a cable to the airfield. Wartime History By late 1942, Funafuti Airfield was in use for reconnaissance missions against Tarawa, Mili and Jaluit before the conclusion of 1942. The first offensive operation from Tuvalu was launched on April 20, 1943 with a twenty-two B-24 Liberators taking off Funafuti on a bombing mission against Nauru. During 1943, Japanese aircraft bombed Funafuti Airfield. The raids killed one local man and a dozen Americans but did little damage. A total of eight Japanese planes were lost attacking Funafuti. Japanese missions against Funafuti and Funafuti Airfield March 27, 1943–November 17, 1943 American units based at Funafuti VS-65 (SBD) 307th BG, 371st BS (B-24) Wheeler arrives Apr 18, 1943–? returns Jul 27, 1943–Aug 1, 1943 dept Espiritu Santo 307th BG, 372nd BS (B-24) Wheeler arrives Apr 18, 1943–April 23, 1943 departs Kahuku 307th BG, 424trh BS (B-24) ?–February 1, 1943 departs Mokuleia 7th AF, Advanced HQ Hickam Field arrives November 6, 1943–December 30, 1943 departs Tarawa 7th AF, Service Command Hickam Field arrives November 6, 1943–December 30, 1943 departs Tarawa 7th AF, VII Bomber Command Hickam Field arrives November 6, 1943–January 1, 1944 departs Tarawa 11th BG, HQ (B-24) Hickam Field arrives November 9, 1943–January 20, 1944 departs Tarawa 11th BG, 431st BS (B-24) Hickam Field arrives November 11, 1943–January 16, 1944 departs Tarawa Today Still in use today as Funafuti International Airport. Airport codes: ICAO: NGFU, IATA: FUN. Teagai Apelu's residence is the former headquarters building and includes a wartime bunker. Contribute
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