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 USN c1943  RNZAF c1943  RNZAF December 1943  USN 1944  Solomon Airlines 1998 |
Location Ondonga Airfield was located near on Ondonga village on the Ondongo peninsula of western New Georgia in the New Georgia Island Group (New Georgia Islands) in the central Solomon Islands. In the local language, Ondongo means "the place of death." Borders Diamond Narrows to the south. Nusapaitu Island is to the southeast. To the north and northwest is Hathorn Sound. Beyond to the west is Arundel Island. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today part of Western Province in the Solomon Islands. Prewar To the north was Piru Plantation planted with coconut palms harvesting copra. Construction Ondonga Airfield was built by U.S. Navy (USN) Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) "Seabees" from the 82nd NCB and 37th NCB. The runway was completed in record time from dense jungle and muddy ground to completion in only 25 days. During construction, the area was subjected to Japanese air raids and shelling from artillery on Kolombangara. By October 23, 1943 the runway was completed and measured 4,500' x 200'. Ondonga Airfield was immediately put into use by Allied planes to support the U.S. landings at Torokina. On October 24, 1943 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-40 Warhawks of No. 15 Squadron and No. 18 Squadron arrived forming "New Zealand Fighter Wing". During October and November 1943, docking facilities and the base area were improved by the 20th Battalion and 47th Battalion. In November, a second runway was completed parallel to the first, 4,000' x 300' and several miles of taxiways and hardstands, revetments, a control tower and quonset-hut camp areas. By February 1944 the 24th Battalion joined them, and 20 miles of roads were built in the area. Also, a 12,000 barrel tank farm with submarine filling line was built. Allied units based at Ondonga Airfield United States Navy (USN) VF-17 (F4U) Espiritu Santo/Henderson arrives Oct. 27, 1943–Dec 2, 1943 dep Espiritu Santo VF-33 (F6F) Munda Airfield arrives November 29, 1943 VP-12 (PBY-5A) Guadalcanal arrives February 17, 1944–May 17, 1944 departs Emirau United States Marine Corps (USMC) VMF-216 (F4U) MABS-1 Henderson arrives November 1943–May 26, 1944 departs Munda Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) No. 15 Squadron (P-40) C. O. SL S. G. Quill arrives October 24, 1943 No. 18 Squadron (P-40) arrives October 24, 1943 No. 14 Squadron (P-40) arrives 1943–December 1943 departs Torokina No. 16 Squadron (P-40) arrives 1943–December 1943 departs Torokina No. 17 Squadron (P-40) Tom Blackburn (C.O. VF-17) recalled about Ondonga: "Clean, virtually bugless, free of snipers, and above all, near the enemy." Today Ondonga Airfield is disused since the Pacific War. Contribute
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 Oct 17, 1943 November 15, 1943  View in Google Earth |
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