Location
Located at Kavieng on the North Cape.

Construction
Built by the Australians just before the start of the war. As the Japanese landed, the commandos blew craters into the runway, and retreated thru the nearby swamps.

Wartime History
Occupied by the Japanese, the airfield was expanded and improved. During the war, the single runway spanned 5,000' with large taxi and dispersal area on each side of the runway.

Units Based at Kavieng:
Junyō detachment (19 x A6M2, 7 x B5N2 ) Wewak February 28, 1943
252nd Kokutai (A6M Zero)
253rd Kokutai (A6M Zero)
251st Kokutai (G4M1 Betty) Vunakanau Nov - Dec 1943
751st Kokutai (G4M1 Betty)

Japanese & American Missions Against Kavieng
January 21, 1942 - April 8, 1944

Post War Scrapping
After the war, the salvage rights to the strip sold to Harry Croydon, of Rabaul who melted down most of the remaining wrecks for scrap metal.

Brian Bennett recalls:
"Harry Croydon with the scrapping rights for Kavieng did a very good job. I had never been able to find any wreckage there, aside from a single tail wheel assembly from a Betty."

Today
Still in use by Air Nugini as the main airport for Kavieng.

A6M2 Zero Manufacture Number 51553
Displayed until 1974. Salvaged, today at USAF Museum

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Last Updated
January 24, 2012

April 23, 1943

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