Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands

A small French possession 320 miles to the west of Samoa, east of Fiji and south-east of Tuvalu.

History
French Missionary came to the island before the war. Occupied by Free French forces on May 26, 1942.  Codenamed 'Lameduck' by the Americans. 2nd Construction Battalion, Companies A & B (with C & D in British Samoa) were the first to arrive to develop the base, but were held on Tutuila until negotiations were completed. The following day under agreement with the Frenchi its defense was to be an Americans responsibility. Marine divisions to be prepared to furnish troops for the garrisoning of Wallis in late March. 7th Defense Battalion was sent to Upolu on 28 March, and a small detachment was established on Savaii.

Today
On 29 July 1961, the archipelago was detached from New Caledonia, and is today an overseas territory of France. 

Wallis Island (Uvea)
Largest island in the group 7 miles long by 4 miles wide. Located to the eastern side of the island group. 8th Defense Battalion of Tutuila, became the major element of the Wallis garrison. At the end of March, the 8th Defense Battalion (Reinforced) under Colonel Raphael Griffin moved into Wallis.  During the US Navy Seabee's occupation, they build 70 miles of road on the island, storehouses, a 72 bed hospital and housing facilities. Later, by January 1944, a 15 x 500 gallon tank farm for fuel was also established on the island. The construction activities on Wallis were the first major construction work by Seabees during the war. CBMU 504 (Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit) arrived May 1942 and worked on the island until early 1944. By February 19, 1944 dismantling of the base was begun here and througout Samoa. Materials salvaged were taken back to Tutuila, to be used at more forward bases. USMC Colonel Griffin was in charge of the island.

    Hihifo Airfield (Wallis Island Airport)

Location
Lat 13° 14' 18S Long 176° 11' 57W  Located on the northern coast of Wallis Island.

Construction
US Navy Seabees first began constructing this airfield on a low plateau, made of volcanic ash and clay, covered by light bush. Work was delayed due to lack of heavy construction equipment. Designed for heavy bombers, a single runway 6,000' x 250' surfaced with crushed rock with completed by October 1942.  Taxiways, revetments, hangers, machine shop, underground magazines and a 25,000 gallon aviation fuel tank.

Today
Click For EnlargementStill in use today as the only airport on Wallis. Airport code: WLS

 

 

Click For EnlargementMata'Utu
Located on the eastern coast, near the center of the island, overlooking Mata Utu Harbor. Present day capital of Wallis.


Gahi Harbor
Click For EnlargementGahi village is located on the south-eastern coast of Wallis Island. US Navy Seabees built a causeway 75' long of logs, filled with rock and covered with coral and sand over the reef into deep water.

Halalo
Lat 13° 20' 60S Long 176° 10' 60W Located near the south-west of the island

    Hihifo Seaplane Base

Location
Lagoon located near Halalo, to the south-west of the island. 

Construction
This lagoon proved ideal for seaplane operations, and by October 1942 the US Navy had built 150' x 2,400 taxiway area and 70' x 200 ramp. Concealed parking areas for six VPB's or PBY's were built with a camp site and 25,000 gallon aviation fuel tank. 

Click For EnlargementWartime Usage
US Navy VS-1-D14 were based here.  By the later stages of the war when the base was disassembled, only token force remained here for emergency servicing of seaplanes, weather reporting and communications.

 


    Fighter Strip

Construction
Located near the south of Halalo.  Built by US Navy Seabees built this single runway 5,000' x 200' with a coral surface, completed by late in 1942.  A catapult and arresting gear was setup near the fighter strip by late September, and ready by October 10th, but the airfield was opened on schedule so the gear was never used. Taxiways, revetments for 18 fighters and a hanger were also built.

Click For EnlargementToday
Disused since the war.

 

 

Futuna
Large island to the west of Wallis Island.

 

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