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  Asahi Shimbun c1942     5th AF c1943  Australian Army October 20, 1945  David Paulley 1982 |
Location Lat 2° 34' 46S Long 150° 48' 29E Kavieng Airfield is located at 7' above sea level to the east of Kavieng on the North Cape of New Ireland. Also known as "Kawieng Airfield". Today known as "Kavieng Airport". Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in Kavieng Urban LLG of Kavieng District in New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Construction During 1942 the Australian administration built a single runway at this location. World War II Pacific Theatre History On January 21, 1942 Kavieng and Kavieng Airfield were attacked by Japanese Navy carrier aircraft from Akagi and Kaga. During the night of January 23-24, 1942 a Japanese landing force occupied Kavieng with virtually no opposition. Japanese missions against Kavieng January 21, 1942–January 24, 1942 Before withdrawing, Australian commandos blew craters into the runway then retreated through the nearby swamps. Occupied by the Japanese, Kavieng Airfield was expanded and improved. During the war, the single runway spanned 5,000' with large taxi and dispersal area on each side of the runway. Japanese Navy units based at Kavieng Junyō detachment (23 x A6M2 Zero, 6 x B5N2 Kate) Junyō departs January 17, 1943 returns January 24, 1943 Zuihō detachment (20 x A6M2, 8 x B5N2) Zuihō Feb 18-19, 1943 Wewak returns Feb 28 - March 1-3, 1943 Truk 252 Kokutai (A6M Zero) 253 Kokutai (A6M Zero) 251 Kokutai (G4M1 Betty) Vunakanau November 1943–December 1943 751 Kokutai (G4M1 Betty) American missions against Kavieng January 21, 1942 - April 8, 1944 Postwar After the war, the salvage rights to the strip sold to Harry Croydon of Rabaul. He collected most of the aircraft wreckage and scrap metal and melted them down for scrap metal. Brian Bennett recalls: "Harry Croydon with the scrapping rights for Kavieng did a very good job. I had never been able to find any wreckage there, aside from a single tail wheel assembly from a Betty." Today Still in use today as Kavieng Airport, the main airport servicing the Kavieng area. The runway is oriented 30/12 measures 5,592' x 98' surfaced with asphlat. Airport codes: ICAO: AYKV and IATA: KVG. Served by flights from Air Niugini and PNG Air. A6M2 Model 21 Zero Manufacture Number 51553 Abandoned at Kavieng, displayed until 1974, salvaged today displayed at USAF Museum References NAC - Kavieng Airport Contribute
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