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![]() Stan Gajda 1970 ![]() Stan Gajda 1983 |
Location Lat 0° 32' 51S Long 166° 55' 9E Nauru Airfield is located at an elevation of 22' above sea level in the Meneng District in the southeastern corner of Nauru Island in the Republic of Nauru. Still in use today as Nauru Airport. Officially known as Nauru International Airport. Construction During November 1942, the Japanese built this airfield using local laborers. The runway was completed by January 14, 1943 and the first aircraft arrived the next day. Wartime History Used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a base for bombers and fighters. As soon as the runway was completed, the first aircraft including G4M1 Betty bombers and A6M Zero fighters arrived on January 15, 1943. During February 1943 A6M Zeros from the 204 Kokutai operated from Nauru Airfield. Japanese units based at Nauru 204 Kokutai (A6M Zeros) February 1943 By late January 1943, Nauru Airfield was detected by the Americans and targeted by dozens of bombing missions duering 1943–1944 by 13th Air Force and 7th Air Force bombers. On December 8, 1943 targeted by U. S. Navy (USN) carrier aircraft. By January 1944, Nauru was within range of 7th Air Force B-25 Mitchells and targeted until the end of October 1944 and neutralized by air attacks and bombing. American missions against Nauru January 28, 1943 - October 30, 1944 Postwar Until the early 1970s, several Japanese aircraft remained largely intact at Nauru Airfield. During the early 1970s, the Japanese Government funded the constructing a fringing ring road around perimeter of Nauru Island. To tidy up, local people bulldozed the remaining Japanese wreckage into the sea or otherwise removed them. Today A6M Zeke G4M Betty Contribute
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