Long Airfield
Encyclopedia
Long Airfield is a World War II
military airfield located near Hayes Creek, Northern Territory, Australia
.
Also known as "Long Strip", the airfield was constructed in late 1943 by No.14 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF. The bitumen surfaced runway was 2400 feet (731.5 m) long and 50 feet (15.2 m) wide. Fifty three aircraft dispersal bays with some protected with earth revetments were also constructed.
Long Airfield was generally employed in an associated and support role for nearby Fenton Airfield
. The airfield has been abandoned since 1945. Viewed from the air, the remains of the main runway are visible, along with taxiways and aircraft hardstands visible, but in a very deteriorated state. No buildings or other structures remain.
The airfield is accessible by road by traveling south on Stuart Highway (Highway 1) then turning west on Dorat Road (Highway 23), then turning south after about 1.5 km on Douglas Road. The airfield lies to the east, after about 3–4 km, by crossing some scrubland. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended for the offroad travel.
s from the 529th and 530th Bomb Squadrons moved to Long Field from Manbulloo Airfield
and attacked Japanese airfields, ground installations, shipping, and industries in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago
. Other missions included disruption of enemy sea channels; dropping photoflash bombs and propaganda pamphlets. Both squadrons were reassigned to Darwin
in July 1944.
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...
military airfield located near Hayes Creek, Northern Territory, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Also known as "Long Strip", the airfield was constructed in late 1943 by No.14 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF. The bitumen surfaced runway was 2400 feet (731.5 m) long and 50 feet (15.2 m) wide. Fifty three aircraft dispersal bays with some protected with earth revetments were also constructed.
Long Airfield was generally employed in an associated and support role for nearby Fenton Airfield
Fenton Airfield
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...
. The airfield has been abandoned since 1945. Viewed from the air, the remains of the main runway are visible, along with taxiways and aircraft hardstands visible, but in a very deteriorated state. No buildings or other structures remain.
The airfield is accessible by road by traveling south on Stuart Highway (Highway 1) then turning west on Dorat Road (Highway 23), then turning south after about 1.5 km on Douglas Road. The airfield lies to the east, after about 3–4 km, by crossing some scrubland. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended for the offroad travel.
Japanese Air Raids against Long Airfield
- 14 August 1943
- 15 September 1943 (00:25 am)
- 18 Septemnber 1943 (03:50 am)
Units based at Long Airfield
- 529th Bombardment Squadron (380th Bombardment Group), (7 November 1943-10 July 1944)
- 531st Bombardment Squadron (380th Bombardment Group), (5 December 1943-21 July 1944)
- No. 23 Squadron RAAFNo. 23 Squadron RAAFNo. 23 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force is a non-flying base operations and training squadron headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane, Queensland. The Squadron was formed in 1937 and saw action during World War II as a bomber squadron.-History:No...
Operations
The B-24 LiberatorB-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
s from the 529th and 530th Bomb Squadrons moved to Long Field from Manbulloo Airfield
Manbulloo Airfield
Manbulloo Airfield is a World War II airfield built at Manbulloo Station, near Katherine, Northern Territory.Works on the airfield were initially undertaken by the 43rd Engineer Regiment in April 1942. The Allied Works Council completed the works and the airfield was operational by 19 May 1942...
and attacked Japanese airfields, ground installations, shipping, and industries in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago
Bismarck Archipelago
The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea.-History:...
. Other missions included disruption of enemy sea channels; dropping photoflash bombs and propaganda pamphlets. Both squadrons were reassigned to Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
in July 1944.
See also
- United States Army Air Forces in AustraliaUnited States Army Air Forces in AustraliaDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established a series of airfields in Australia for the collective defense of the country, as well as for conducting offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy...
(World War IIWorld War IIWorld 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...
)