Wartime History
Kiriwina Island was never occupied by the Japanese. On June 24, 1943 U.S. Army troops occupied Kiriwina and Woodlark and faced no opposition. A month later, they began developing an airfield on the island.

Losuia
Located at the center southern coast of Kiriwina Island. To the north is Kiriwina Airfield (South Drome, Losuia).

Kiriwina Airfield (South Drome, Losuia)
Built by Americans, based RAAF and USAAF aircraft

Kiriwina Airfield (North Drome, Crash Strip)
Located to the north of the island

Kiriwina Cub Strip
Located near the eastern coast of the island for light aircraft

Kiriwina Seaplane Base
Located on the south coast at Losuia

B-26 Marauder Serial Number 40-1426
Pilot Hastings crashed May 2, 1942 upside down in swampy ground

Yayoi
Sunk by Allied air attack September 11, 1942

Seagull V Serial Number A2-19
Pilot Bonython MIA September 11, 1943

B-24D Liberator Serial Number 42-40934
Pilot Bonner crashed October 13, 1943 last seen roughly 40 miles off Kiriwina

B-24D Liberator Serial Number 42-72800
Pilot Carlson MIA October 25, 1943 last seen roughly 40 miles north of Kiriwina

B-25D Mitchell Serial Number 41-30240
Pilot Hastings ditched November 2, 1943 roughly 50 miles off Kiriwina

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Last Updated
June 15, 2019