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 USN August 30, 1942  USN Nov 12, 1942  Ralph Morse Dec 1942  USAAF December 1942  USN 1944  M Claringbould 1998 |
Location Bomber 1 was located on the Pallikulo Peninsula near Pallikulo village bordering Pallikulo Bay at the southeastern of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu (New Hebrides). Also known as "Bomber Field No. 1", "Pallikulo Field" or "Fighter 1". Later, Bomber 2 (Pekoa Field) was built nearby. Prewar and during the Pacific War in New Hebrides. Today located in Sanma Province in Vanuatu. Prewar Prior to the Pacific War, a coconut plantation with coconut palms harvesting copra was planted at this location. Construction Built by the U.S. Army with a single runway oriented northwest to southeast. By June 1, 1943 the single runway measured 6,200' x 150' and was the longest runway on Espiritu Santo. Wartime History During 1942, Bomber 1 was used by U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft including B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators. Also used by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). Later, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) operated a base depot at Pallikulo Field that assembled new disasembled aircraft that arrived aboard U.S. ships that were reassembled and flight tested before to assignment. American units based at Bomber 1 (Palikulo Field, Fighter 1) U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) 11th BG, 42nd BS (B-17) Wheeler Field July 21, 1942–November 1, 1942 Guadalcanal 11th BG, 98th BS (B-17) ? - November 1, 1942 Guadalcanal 11th BG, 26th BS (B-17) ADVON arrives August 1, 1942 arrives Bauer Field (Port Vila) December 22, 1942 - ? 11th BG, 431st BS (B-17) ADVON arrives August 1, 1942 5th BG, 23rd BS (B-17, B-24) Mokuleia arrives December 1, 1942–March 31, 1943 departs Guadalcanal returns December 7, 1943–January 3, 1944 departs Munda 5th BG, 31st BS (B-17) November 30, 1942–January 17, 1943 departs Guadalcanal 5th BG, 72nd BS (B-17) September 24 - October 4, 1942 Guadalcanal U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) VMD-154 (PB4Y) VMD-254 (B-24) Nov 28 - December - February 1943 Koli VMO-250 (J2F) Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Unit 60 No. 23 Squadron (F4U) Ardmore September 1944–October 1944 departs Fighter 2 (Kukum) C-47B Dakota NZ3529 Crashed July 6, 1945 Today Disused since the war, Bomber 1 is overgrown. The runway remains in excellent condition. Contribute
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