Bulwa Airfield

 

Location
Located near Bulwa, at the junction of the Bulolo and Watut Rivers. To the south-east of Bulolo and Wau. To the north-west is Sunshine.

Construction
Built during 1932-33, to help construct a gold dredge. In one year, two Junkers G.31s landed at Bulwa 468 times to transport parts of the gold dredge being assmbled to mine gold.

Wartime History
In middle 1942 the single runway was 1000 x 100 x 2000 yards, can be expanded surfaced with sod, dry with fair approaches (hills). Thirty European houses, Major Edwards, completely equipped hospital, food and water, telephone to Bulolo and Wau.

Used during the war as an alternate for Bulolo Airfield and Wau Airfield.

At the height of the Battle of Wau on January 30, 1943, Australian New Guinea Force HQ requested that Bulwa Airfield and Bulolo Airfield were readied for emergency use, if Wau Airfield was damaged or captured.

References
Notes about New Guinea airfields, recorded circa May - July, 1942 by Oliver C. Doan via Jean Doan research Edward Rogers
The Battle For Wau page 182
Gold-Dust and Ashes
Thanks to John Douglas for additional information

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