Wartime History
Built in Japan. This steam roller was transported as cargo to the South Pacific. During early July 1942 landed at Renandi on Guadalcanal and used by the Hama Construction Unit during the construction of Lunga Point Airfield to level the runway.
On August 7, 1942 around 4:00pm Lunga Point Airfield was captured by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), 1st Marine Division including this intact steam roller. Afterwards, put to use by the Americans to repair the runway renamed Henderson Field. Cine footage shows this steam roller being operated by Americans with the Japanese markings still visible. Sometime afterwards, abandoned to the north of the runway.
Wreckage
This steam roller was abandoned to the north of Henderson Field. During the 2010s, recovered by Kurt Markwarth and Anders Markwarth and moved to their industrial yard at Renandi. This steam roller is not on public display.
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Last Updated
August 3, 2021
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