1944

RNZAF, 1945

David Paulley 1982

H Sakaguchi 2003

Location
Lat 6°12'28.48"S  Long 155° 3'27.55"E. Located at Piva, 2.5 miles NNE of Cape Torokina.

Construction
One of two parallel runways built by Americans, running roughly east to west. Opened December 30, 1943. At its height, Piva South (Fighter Strip) extended 6,000' x 150', with marson matting on volcanic sand for 4,400' of the runway. Taxiways connected it to Piva North (Piva Uncle, Piva No 1).

Japanese Bombardment
On March 8, 1944 Japanese artillery opened up on the strip and destroyed one B-24. Planes were temporarily evacuated south to airfields on New Georgia instead.

Airdromes Guide Southwest Pacific Area, July 1945:
"This airfield was deemed a 'reserve military airdrome' and was not manned and was closed. The runway's marston matting were undermined by storms and water action. Driftwood obstructs the runway after heavy rains."

Today
This airfield was abandoned after the war and became largely overgrown. Overgown and disused.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information?

October 1944

1945

July 1945

Photo Archive

View on Google Earth