Kavieng Airfield (Kawieng), New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG) WWII

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

Kavieng Airfield (Kawieng) New Ireland Province Papua New Guinea (PNG)

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 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 21–24, 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 January 17, 1943 Wewak 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 - December 1943
751 Kokutai (G4M1 Betty)

American missions against Kavieng
January 21, 1942 - April 8, 1944

Post War
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 measures 1782m x 30m oriented 30/12 surfaced with asphalt. 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

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Last Updated
December 2, 2020

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