Berry Airfield
Encyclopedia
Berry Airfield is a former World War II
airfield near Port Moresby
, Papua New Guinea
. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located 12 miles (19.3 km) inland from Port Moresby.
Also known as "12 Mile Drome" or "Bomana Drome", the airfield was named "Berry Airfield" in honor of P-39D 41-7165 pilot Major Jack W. Berry on November 10, 1942.
Berry hosted many units during its operational use, however the only long-term unit assigned was the 8th Fighter Squadron
(49th Fighter Group) which flew P-39 Aircobras from July 20, 1942 - November 8, 1942.
Today, the road from Port Moresby runs overtop the old man runway. The Bomana Police Training College is located at the site of the former strip, and the Bomana War Cemetery is at the far end of the strip. Some of the officer's and command tents for the airfield were located in the high ground around the former field. Some war debris are scattered around the area, including barrels, metal pieces, and other objects.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
airfield near Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located 12 miles (19.3 km) inland from Port Moresby.
Also known as "12 Mile Drome" or "Bomana Drome", the airfield was named "Berry Airfield" in honor of P-39D 41-7165 pilot Major Jack W. Berry on November 10, 1942.
History
Berry Airfield was completed May 15, 1943, however there was little or no room for expansion without an extensive earth moving project being put into action. The runway had an 8 inches (203.2 mm) base of crushed rock and pit gravel approximately 4,500' by 150'. It also had 40 dispersal bays, and 4 alert areas that would accommodate 15 fighter aircraft.Berry hosted many units during its operational use, however the only long-term unit assigned was the 8th Fighter Squadron
8th Fighter Squadron
The 8th Fighter Squadron was part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operated the F-22A Raptor, having previously operated the F-117 Nighthawk aircraft from 1992 until the squadron's inactivation on May 16, 2008...
(49th Fighter Group) which flew P-39 Aircobras from July 20, 1942 - November 8, 1942.
Today, the road from Port Moresby runs overtop the old man runway. The Bomana Police Training College is located at the site of the former strip, and the Bomana War Cemetery is at the far end of the strip. Some of the officer's and command tents for the airfield were located in the high ground around the former field. Some war debris are scattered around the area, including barrels, metal pieces, and other objects.
See also
- USAAF in the Southwest PacificUnited States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific TheatreDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces engaged in combat against the air, ground and naval forces of the Empire of Japan in the South West Pacific Theatre....
- Port Moresby Airfield Complex
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