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 USN June 1942  USAAF April 20, 1943  J. C. Tranape 2001 |
Location Lat 17° 41' 57S Long 168° 19' 11E Port Vila Airport (Via Airfield) is located at an elevation of 70' above sea level to the north of Port Vila on Efaté Island. After November 1942, renamed "Bauer Field". Today known as "Port Vila Airport" or "Port Vila Bauerfield" or simply "Vila Airport". Prewar and during the Pacific War located in New Hebrides. Today located in Shefa Province in Vanuatu. Prewar This area was a plantation owned by Henri Russet. Construction During early 1942, built by U.S. forces. During late March 1942, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) from the 4th Defense Battalion, 45th Marines began clearing the plantation area a single runway 2,000' x 200'. In early May 1942, the U.S. Navy (USN) 1st Naval Construction Battalion "Seabees" arrived and completed the airfield. Also involved in the construction were U.S. Army personnel. Wartime History During the Pacific War, used by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft prior to moving northward to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. American units based at Bauer Field 11th BG, 26th BS (B-17) Hawaii arrives July 25, 1942 fwd echelon Sept 1, 1942 departs Henderson / December 22, 1942 Bomber 1 15th FG, 12th FS (P-39) Christmas Island arrives November 19, 1942–February 7, 1943 departs Guadalcanal 15th FG, 44th FS (P-40) 1942–December 20, 1942 departs Guadalcanal 38th BG, 69th BS (B-26) New Caledonia December 7, 1942 - ? VMF-212 (F4F) March 29, 1942 ground echelon, June-July 1942 flight echelon Naming Honor During late 1942, renamed Bauer Field in honor of Lt. Col. Harold W. Bauer, C.O. of VMF-212 who went Missing In Action (MIA) on November 14, 1942 piloting F4F Wildcat 03454 over Guadalcanal. Bauer was credited with 11 confirmed aircraft shot downs and earned the Medal of Honor. During 1943, also referred to as "McDonald Field". Today Still in use today as "Port Vila Airport" or "Port Vila Bauerfield" or "Bauerfield International Airport" or simply "Vila Airport" as a port of entry with two runways. The first is oriented 29/11 measures 8,530' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. The second is oriented 29L/11R measures 3,310' x 105' surfaced with grass. Airport codes: ICAO: NVVV IATA: VLI. During the early 2000s, upgraded to handle Boeing 737. References Sometimes listed as "Bauerfield". Contribute
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