| 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
 Still in use today as the only airport on Wallis. Airport code: WLS
|
 Mata'Utu
Located on the eastern coast, near the center of the island, overlooking
Mata Utu Harbor. Present day capital of Wallis.
Gahi Harbor
 Gahi 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.
 Wartime 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.
 Today
Disused since the war.
|
Futuna
Large island to the west of Wallis Island.
|
