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 Norbert C. Ruff January 6, 1943   Norbert C. Ruff January 17, 1943   5th AF March 7, 1943   5th AF Association 1990   Richard E. Smith 1943   5th AF Association 1990 |
Location Turnbull Field was located at an elevation of 100' above sea level in eastern New Guinea. To the east borders Swinger Bay (also known as Stringer Bay) inside Milne Bay. To the west is of Gili Gili. During 1942 known as "No. 3 Strip". Also known as Gil Gili Airfield for nearby Gili Gili. On September 14, 1942 renamed Turnbull Field. Also known as Turnbull Airfield. Prewar and during the Pacific War, located in the Eastern District in Territory of Papua. Today located in Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prewar This area was owned by Lever Brothers and planted with coconut palm trees to harvest copra. Construction This airfield was under construction during the Battle of Milne Bay. a single runway was built running roughly east to west into Milne Bay. During its early days of operation, the strip was made of 5,000' of Marston Matting / Pierced Steel Plank (PSP). Wartime History In the middle of 1942, No. 3 Strip was defended by the Australian Army A Coy (25th Battalion), 61st Battalion and U.S. Army 43rd Engineers. A defense in depth was created at the runway with barbed wire strung across the runway with half tracks, guns and mortars emplaced on the far side. Starting in early August 1942, Turnbull Field was targeted by Japanese air raids by bombers and strafing fighters. Japanese missions against No. 3 Strip (Turnbull) and Milne Bay August 4, 1942–August 9, 1943 Battle of Milne Bay On August 30, 1942 during the night Imperial Japanese Navy 5th Kure Special Navy Landing Force (5th Kure SNLF) advanced from the east and attack No. 3 Strip but suffer heavy losses from the strong Allied defenses. On August 31, 1942 at dawn the surviving Japanese retreat eastward. Naming Honor On September 14, 1942 No. 3 Strip was officially renamed Turnbull Field in honor of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull pilot P-40E Kittyhawk A29-92 Killed In Action (KIA) August 27, 1942 near Milne Bay. On January 17, 1943 at 12:40pm Japanese air raid by twenty-four G4M1 Bettys escorted by 20 A6M Zeros bombed Turnbull Field dropped between 230-250 x 100 kg bombs. Destroyed on the ground are B-17F "Fire Ball Mail" 41-24551, B-17F 41-24540, B-17E 41-2639, P-39D 41-38499, P-39D 41-????, B-24D "Aincha Sorry" 41-23824 plus two C-47s. Also destroyed are six vehicles and six fuel dumps. Damaged are Hudson A16-185, Hudson A16-206 and Hudson A16-239 (destroyed three days later in another air raid). No one is killed, but eight are wounded in 49th Service Squadron. U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) units based at Turnbull (No. 3 Strip) 8th FG, 35th FS (P-40) 8th FG, 36th FS (P-39) Garbutt Field Sept 18, 42 - Feb 22, 43 Mareeba 8th FG, 80th FS (P-39) 12 Mile arrives November 8, 1942–February 23, 1943 departs Mareeba 43rd BG, 403rd BS (B-17) Iron Range arrives November 23, 1942–January 21, 1943 departs Mareeba 418th NFS (P-38, P-70) USA arrives November 2, 1943–November 22, 1943 departs Dobodura 71st TRG, 82nd TRS (B-25, P-39) USA 11-6 - 11 23 43 Dobodura 421st NFS (P-70) from USA Jan 4 - Feb 1, 1944 Nadzab Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) units based at Turnbull (No. 3 Strip) No. 6 Squadron (Hudson) Ward Drome December 14, 1942 - November 26, 1943 Vivigani Today Disused since the war, only the former runway area remains visible. Japanese Mass Grave Marker After the August 31, 1942 battle, two privates erected a simple sign on Japanese mass grave at the edge of the strip. Originally the sign read:
The monument became a popular spot for photos to be taken. In May 1944 a permanent plaque was established. Turnbull Field Monument A metal plaque was placed at the airfield telling the history of Sqn Ldr Peter Turnbull, erected by donations from family and veterans, and propeller donated by the RAAF.
References Milne Bay 1942 (1992) includes No. 3 Strip / Turnbull Field pages 129 (map Base Area) Contribute
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