Fenton Airfield: Difference between revisions
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{{Location map|Northern Territory|label=Fenton Airfield|marksize=6|mark=Red_pog.svg|lat_dir=S|lat_deg=13|lat_min=37 |lat_sec=23|lon_dir=E|lon_deg=131|lon_min=20|lon_sec=19|position=left|width=210|float=right|caption=Location of Fenton Airfield NT}} |
{{Location map|Northern Territory|label=Fenton Airfield|marksize=6|mark=Red_pog.svg|lat_dir=S|lat_deg=13|lat_min=37 |lat_sec=23|lon_dir=E|lon_deg=131|lon_min=20|lon_sec=19|position=left|width=210|float=right|caption=Location of Fenton Airfield NT}} |
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'''Fenton Airfield''' |
'''Fenton Airfield''' airfield at [[Tipperary Station]], [[Hayes Creek, Northern Territory]], [[Australia]]. |
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Abandoned since 1945, the site is an outstanding example of a World War II heavy bomber airfield construction and layout, and is one of three surviving examples of heavy bomber airfields in the Katherine-Darwin region. It is open to the public. The main runway, taxiways and hardstands are accessible. Also, remnants of the control tower remain and items of aircraft wreckage can be found in the area. |
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==History== |
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The airfield was built by C Company and HQ Detachment of the [[808th Engineer Aviation Battalion]] between [[27 April]] [[1942]] till [[16 July]] 1942. The airfield was named after [[Flight Lieutenant]] [[Clyde Fenton]]. The single runway was 6,000ft (1,828.8m) long and 100ft (30.48m) wide. |
The airfield was built by C Company and HQ Detachment of the [[808th Engineer Aviation Battalion]] between [[27 April]] [[1942]] till [[16 July]] 1942. The airfield was named after [[Flight Lieutenant]] [[Clyde Fenton]]. The single runway was 6,000ft (1,828.8m) long and 100ft (30.48m) wide. |
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Further development of the airfield was undertaken by [[No. 1 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF]], [[No 14 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF]] and [[New South Wales]] [[Roads and Traffic Authority|Department of Main Roads]] under the [[Allied Works Council]]. The runway was enlarged to approximately 7,218ft (2,200m) long and 164ft (50m) wide and about sixty aircraft dispersal bays, some with earthen revetments. |
Further development of the airfield was undertaken by [[No. 1 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF]], [[No 14 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF]] and [[New South Wales]] [[Roads and Traffic Authority|Department of Main Roads]] under the [[Allied Works Council]]. The runway was enlarged to approximately 7,218ft (2,200m) long and 164ft (50m) wide and about sixty aircraft dispersal bays, some with earthen revetments. |
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During its operational use, Fenton Airfield was a major airfield, being headquarters for numerous Royal Australian Air Force Squadrons, along with United States Army and Air Force units. Combat missions flown were reconnaissance flights over [[Timor]] Island, [[New Guinea]] and [[Sulawesi|Celebres Islands]]. Attacks were carried out against Japanese airfields, ground installations and shipping as well as armed reconnaissance missions. On 29 February 1944, the USAAF 380th Bombardment Group flew a 16 hour mission from Fenton to [[Borneo]], flying over 2500 Nautical Miles (4000 Km). |
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In late 1945, the airfield was abandoned. The remnants of the control tower remain and items of aircraft wreckage can be found in the area. |
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With the end of the war in late 1945, the airfield was abandoned. Over the years, it has reverted in large part to the natural terrain from which it was built. All of the base infrastructure is now gone, with concreted areas remaining along with various foundations, piles of rubble and the occasional aircraft part to be found. |
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==Units based at Fenton Airfield== |
==Units based at Fenton Airfield== |
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*[[No. 1 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF]] |
*[[No. 1 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF]] |
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*[[No. 6 Repair and Salvage Unit RAAF]] |
*[[No. 6 Repair and Salvage Unit RAAF]] |
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* 404th Quartermaster Air Depot Platoon, [[United States Army]] |
* 404th Quartermaster Air Depot Platoon, [[United States Army]] |
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==Japanese Bombing Raids on Fenton Airfield== |
==Japanese Bombing Raids on Fenton Airfield== |
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*30 June 1943 (12:30pm) |
*30 June 1943 (12:30pm) |
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*6 July 1943 (12:02pm) |
*6 July 1943 (12:02pm) |
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*[http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/heritage/ntregister/declared/display.html?fenton Northern Territory Heritage Listing] |
*[http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/heritage/ntregister/declared/display.html?fenton Northern Territory Heritage Listing] |
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*[http://hk.travelnt.com/search/product-detail.aspx?product_id=9000460&category=ATTRACTION Northern Territory Attractions] |
*[http://hk.travelnt.com/search/product-detail.aspx?product_id=9000460&category=ATTRACTION Northern Territory Attractions] |
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* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924. |
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* Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975 |
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* [http://airforcehistoryindex.org/search.php?q=FENTON&c=u&h=25&F=1940&L=1950 US Air Force Historical Research Agency records search] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 15:14, 24 December 2008
Fenton Airfield is a World War II military airfield located at Tipperary Station, Hayes Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
Abandoned since 1945, the site is an outstanding example of a World War II heavy bomber airfield construction and layout, and is one of three surviving examples of heavy bomber airfields in the Katherine-Darwin region. It is open to the public. The main runway, taxiways and hardstands are accessible. Also, remnants of the control tower remain and items of aircraft wreckage can be found in the area.
History
The airfield was built by C Company and HQ Detachment of the 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion between 27 April 1942 till 16 July 1942. The airfield was named after Flight Lieutenant Clyde Fenton. The single runway was 6,000ft (1,828.8m) long and 100ft (30.48m) wide.
Mainly utilised by Liberator bombers mounting long range raids against Japanese forces in the Netherlands East Indies North Western Area of Operations and the South West Pacific Area.
Further development of the airfield was undertaken by No. 1 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF, No 14 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF and New South Wales Department of Main Roads under the Allied Works Council. The runway was enlarged to approximately 7,218ft (2,200m) long and 164ft (50m) wide and about sixty aircraft dispersal bays, some with earthen revetments.
During its operational use, Fenton Airfield was a major airfield, being headquarters for numerous Royal Australian Air Force Squadrons, along with United States Army and Air Force units. Combat missions flown were reconnaissance flights over Timor Island, New Guinea and Celebres Islands. Attacks were carried out against Japanese airfields, ground installations and shipping as well as armed reconnaissance missions. On 29 February 1944, the USAAF 380th Bombardment Group flew a 16 hour mission from Fenton to Borneo, flying over 2500 Nautical Miles (4000 Km).
With the end of the war in late 1945, the airfield was abandoned. Over the years, it has reverted in large part to the natural terrain from which it was built. All of the base infrastructure is now gone, with concreted areas remaining along with various foundations, piles of rubble and the occasional aircraft part to be found.
Units based at Fenton Airfield
- No. 1 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF
- No. 6 Repair and Salvage Unit RAAF
- No. 11 Signals Unit RAAF
- No. 14 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF
- No. 21 Squadron RAAF (B-24)
- No. 23 Squadron RAAF (B-24)
- No. 24 Squadron RAAF (B-24)
- 82nd Wing RAAF (No.'s 21, 23 & 24 Squadrons RAAF)
- 64th Bombardment Squadron (43d Bombardment Group), B-17 Flying Fortress 2 Aug-25 Sep 1942
- 43d Materiel Squadron
- 319th Bombardment Squadron (90th Bombardment Group), B-24 Liberator, 5 Feb-23 Jun 1943
- Deployed from: RAAF Base Darwin, NT
- 380th Bombardment Group, B-24 Liberator, May 1943-9 Aug 1944
- 528th Bombardment Squadron, 28 Apr 1943-20 Aug 1944
- 529th Bombardment Squadron
- Assigned to: Manbulloo Airfield, NT, 28 Apr-7 Nov 1943
- Assigned to: Long Airfield, NT, 7 Nov-10 Jul 1944
- Assigned to: RAAF Base Darwin, NT, 10 Jul-Feb 1945
- 530th Bombardment Squadron
- 531st Bombardment Squadron
- Assigned to: Manbulloo Airfield, NT, 28 Apr-5 Dec 1943
- Assigned to: Long Airfield, NT, 5 Dec-21 Jul 1944
- Assigned to: RAAF Base Darwin, NT, 25 Jul-1 Mar 1945
- 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion, United States Army
- 404th Quartermaster Air Depot Platoon, United States Army
Japanese Bombing Raids on Fenton Airfield
- 30 June 1943 (12:30pm)
- 6 July 1943 (12:02pm)
- 13 August 1943 (9:45pm)
- 13 August 1943 (11:12 pm)
- 21 August 1943 (03:07 am)
- 15 September 1943 (00:25 am)
- 18 September 1943 (03:50 am)
See also
References
- Pacific War Wrecks Database
- OzatWarWebsite
- Northern Territory Heritage Listing
- Northern Territory Attractions
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
- Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975
- US Air Force Historical Research Agency records search
External links
 | This article about the military of Australia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This military aviation article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |