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Location
Located on Kiriwina Island, inland to the west of Muiau Bay, north of Losuia village.
Construction
A month after landing by American forces, construction was begun on an airfield. US Army Engineers with assistance
from Calvary troops built a coral surfaced 6,000' x 150' single
runway for fighters and bombers. The first aircraft to land was August 2, 1943 when a C-47 landed. At the request of the Army,
a detachment of Seabees from Woodlark arrived in September
1943 US Navy Seabees were detached to work on expanding the
strip, building a 7,000' fighter taxiway (completed October
12th) and 25 fighter hardstands. Also a 5,300' taxiway and
16 bomber hardstands were finished a week later, and all work
completed by October 28th. The
Seabees then returned to Woodlark.
RAAF Units based at Kiriwina
76 Squadron (P-40)
78 Squadron (P-40) December 1943 - January 1944 to Nadzab
79 Squadron (Spitfire) Vivigani August 18, 43 - March 16, 44 Momote
Japanese Missions Against Kiriwina
August 11, 1943 - Three planes attack Kiriwina
September 1, 1943 bomb Kiriwina, and +3 other raids in September
December 14, 1943 bomb Kiriwina
December 20, 1943 bomb Kiriwina
Today
Still in use today as the only airfield servicing the island, used by light aircraft and second line airlines and missionary aircraft.
Spitfire "Tasmanian Devil" A58-178 Tail UP-G
Abandoned at the airfield, recovered in 1973
Wrecks reported at the
strip in the 1970s included a Vultee Vengeance and P-38H.
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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