Development
The 872nd Airborne Engineers were sent in from Nadzab in September
1943 to develop an all-weather airfield, including complete servicing
and repair facilitiesand runways to handle 200 transports daily.
the ground unit arrived in October, and the 871st Battalion in
November. In December, one strip was sealed, while other strips
were maintained as gravel strips. At Gusap, opportunity was taken
to also build more comfortable quarters than normal. [Portable
buildings with concrete floors.]
Interview
with Walter Seale,
871st Airborne Engineer Veteran
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