Turnbull Field

Turnbull Field
Part of Fifth Air Force
Located in Milne Bay Province, Paupa New Guinea
Type Military airfield
Site information
Controlled by United States Army Air Forces
Site history
Built 1942
In use 1942–1944

Turnbull Field was an aerodrome near Gili Gili, Papua New Guinea.

History

Built by the US Army 2nd Battalion of 43rd Engineer General Service Regiment (less Company E),[1] during the Battle of Milne Bay during World War II. Originally known as No. 3 Strip, the airfield was renamed Turnbull Field on 14 September 1942 in honour of Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull, who was killed in an aircraft crash.[2] The single runway was 5,000 feet (1,500 m) long x 100 feet (30 m) wide surfaced with marston matting. Taxiways and revetments extended off both sides of the runway.

The aerodrome was abandoned in February 1944 and has been disused since the end of World War II.

Allied Units Based at Turnbull Field

References

  1. "43rd Engineer General Services Regiment, US Corps of Engineers, in Australia during WW2". Ozatwar.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  2. "PNGAA Library". Pngaa.net. Retrieved 2015-09-04. That strip was named “Turnbull Field”, after RAAF Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull who was killed whilst strafing the retreating Japanese, and crashed into one of the ravines near the later site of Alotau.
  3. Rae, CJE, Harris, AL & Bryant, RK 1987, On target: the story of the 2/3 Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment from formation on 18th July 1940 until disbandment on 14 July 1943 and the subsequent service of 7th Battery, 8th Battery, and 9th Battery, until the end of World War II, 2/3rd Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Association, [Melbourne].

Coordinates: 10°18′13″S 150°23′19″E / 10.303699°S 150.388648°E / -10.303699; 150.388648

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