Location
Located in the center of Cebu City on Cebu Island, also known as Lahug Field.
Construction
Built prior to the war, as a civilian and military airfield jointly by Bureau of Aeronautics and Bureau of Public Works for use of the Philippine Army Air Corps. It was completed in October 1940 with a paved airstrip made of gravel, sand and dirt. The airstrip in Lahug Field which was oriented from northwest to southeast was approximately 700-800 meters long and approximately 60-70 meters wide. Facilities included a hangar, gas dump, and a two-storey barracks.
PAAC Units Based at Lahug
6th Observation & Attack Squadron under 1st Lt Oscar Sales of the Philippine Army Air Corps moved from Clark Field to Lahug on October 22, 1940. The 6th Observation and Attack Squadron aircraft was composed of 13 O-1 observation planes, a Stinson Reliant and a Stearman 17 trainer plane. Thanks to Jose Moreno for this information.
Wartime History
Occpuied by the Japanese when they occupied southern Cebu on April 10, 1942. Based a mix contingent of Japanese Navy and Japanese Army Air Force N units (but mostly Japanese Army Air Force). Used as a Japanese airfield until the American liberation.
Japanese Use
1021 Kokutai (G4M, transport) Nichols and Cebu
American Missions Against Lahug
October 23, 1944 - March 15, 1945
American Usage
Liberated by Americal Division troops on March 28, 1945.
The Americal began to butt against the Japanese
fighting positions in the outpost line. The 182nd Infantry
attacked two strongly defended hills a mile north of
Cebu City on 28 March, securing one. As the regiment
continued its attack the following day, the Japanese
detonated an ammunition dump on the second hill. Company
A, already under strength, lost 50 men killed or wounded
in the explosion. Grimly resuming the attack on the
30th, the regiment finally swept the hill.
American Units Based at Lahug
On April 2, 1945 the 159th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group, based at Mangaldan with UC-64s and L-5s, sent a detachment to operate from Cebu until June 25, 1945
Today
Lahug Airfield is no longer used, and has been redeveloped. In its place is the Asiatown IT Park and a lot of nightspots.
References
Thanks to Tony Feredo and Sigurd Lasa for additional information
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