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    Nadzab No. 4 Airfield (No. 4 Strip, Newton Field) Morobe Province PNG
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Harrison Sept 5, 1944

Click For Enlargement
HarrisonSept 5, 1944
Location
Nadzab No. 4 Airfield was located nearest to Nadzab in the Markam Valley in New Guinea. To the south is the Markham River. Further to the southeast is Lae. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Territory of New Guinea. Also known as "No. 4 Strip" or "Newton Field". Today located in Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Construction
Built by the RAAF 62 Works Squadron, 2nd Mobile Works Squadron, 6th Mobile Works Squadron and 7th Mobile Works Squadron. Also, the 13th Survey & Design. Extensive taxiways and revetments were built at the northeast and southwest ends of the runway.

Wartime History
Designated by the U.S. Army as Army Post Office 71,3, Unit 1 (APO 713, Unit 1 or APO 713-1). Used by U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) heavy and medium bombers. Later, became the primary airfield used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Nadzab. During late 1944 the Far East Air Force - Combat Replacement and Training Center (FEAF-CRTC) began training replacement pilots and air crews until the end of June 1945.

Naming of Field
Named this airfield "Newton Field" in honor of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot F/Lt William Ellis Newton pilot DB-7B Boston A28-3 shot down by anti-aircraft fire on March 18, 1943 near Salamaua and was captured by the Japanese and executed and posthumously earned the Victoria Cross.

Allied units based at Nadzab No. 4 (Newton) APO 713, Unit #1
71st TRG, HQ
91st Photo Reconnaissance Wing
5212nd Reconnaissance Wing
3rd BG, 13th BS (A-20) March 1944
Far East Air Force - Combat Replacement Training Center (FEAF-CRTC) 1944-June 30, 1945
360th Service Group 1944-June 30, 1945

CA-13 Boomerang Serial Number A46-174 Code QE-Y
Ground looped May 18, 1944 salvaged in 1974 by Charles Darby

References
Engineers in Theater Operations [Pacific] "Advance Area Aerodromes 31 January 1944", Map No. 24
Wings of Destiny (2008) by Charles Page pages 284 (naming of Newton Field)

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Last Updated
June 19, 2023

 

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