South Pacific air ferry route in World War II

Last updated

Air Transport Command emblem Air Transport Command Emblem.png
Air Transport Command emblem

The South Pacific air ferry route was initially established in the 1920s to ferry United States Army Air Service aircraft to the Philippines. As the Japanese threat in the Far East increased in 1940, General Douglas MacArthur planned that in the event of war, the United States Army Air Corps would play a major role in defending the Philippines. The reinforcement by the Air Corps of forces in the Philippines, and later Allied forces in Australia, became the basis for developing the South Pacific air ferry route used during World War II.

Contents

Overview

The Air Ferry Routes of WWII, including North Atlantic Route, South Atlantic Route and South Pacific Route AirFerryRoutesOfWWII.png
The Air Ferry Routes of WWII, including North Atlantic Route, South Atlantic Route and South Pacific Route

After the Pearl Harbor Attack in December 1941, the US Air Transport Command pioneered and established scheduled air service to virtually all areas of the Pacific. The islands of the Japanese South Seas Mandate – formerly unfamiliar to the outside world and islands rarely visited before the war – became important air terminals and way stations along the ATC routes in the Pacific. [1]

After the United States' entry into the Pacific War, the only air service to the Orient was operated by Pan American Airways, while normal shipping lanes were cut off by the Japanese. This necessitated the establishment of new routes, which would skirt the area west of the Hawaiian Islands and north of Australia. In response to this need, ATC inaugurated a trans-Pacific cargo and passenger service through Canton Island, the Fiji Islands, and New Caledonia to Australia. As the war progressed with forward movements of the allied forces transport service was expanded to support the combat operations. New routes were established to include the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the Marianas, the Philippines, and the Ryukyu island chain. Eventually ATC routes operated into Occupied Japan and connected to the ATC India-China Wing at Kunming Airport, China. [1]

Pre-World War II Pacific transport routes

South Pacific Air Force Routes, 1916-1942 SPAFR-1916-1942.jpg
South Pacific Air Force Routes, 1916–1942

Ferrying of aircraft to the Philippines from the United States began in 1916 when the First Company, 2d Aero Squadron, was activated at Fort William McKinley, Luzon, on 3 February 1916. This pre-World War I unit was a training school, operating Martin S Hydro seaplanes, first produced in the United States in 1915. These aircraft were sent to the Philippines by ship, with the planes loaded at the port of San Francisco. Stops were made in Hawaii, and then Manila where the aircraft were offloaded. [1]

Pan American Airways inaugurated the first regularly-scheduled air mail service from San Francisco to Hawaii and Manila on 22 November 1935. Passenger and cargo service was subsequently added. In April 1937, Pan American extended its service from Manila to Hong Kong, and to Singapore on 2 May 1941. On 12 July 1940, Trans-Pacific service by Pan American was extended from Hawaii, south to Auckland, New Zealand. [1]

The first US Army mass flight from the United States mainland to the Pacific area was accomplished when crews of the 19th Bombardment Group (H) and the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, both of the 1st Bombardment Wing, Fourth Air Force, ferried twenty-one B-17D Flying Fortress aircraft from Hamilton Field, California to Hickam Field Hawaii on 13 May 1941. The aircrews returned to Hamilton by ship on 28 May. [1]

A second flight by the 19th Bombardment Group, consisting of twenty-six B-17D aircraft moved from Hamilton Field, California, to Clark Field, Philippines, via Hickam Field, Midway Island, Wake Island, Port Moresby, New Guinea and Darwin, Northern Territory in the first permanent change of station air movement from the United States to the Philippines. The movement was completed on 6 November 1941. [1]

Pre-World War II Pacific Transport Airfields
NameLocationCoordinatesNotes
Hamilton Field California 38°03′28″N122°30′45″W / 38.05778°N 122.51250°W / 38.05778; -122.51250 (Hamilton Field) ATC moved 23rd Ferrying (later Transport) Group to Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base on 29 May 1943. Placed under jurisdiction of 1503d AAFBU, West Coast Wing, Pacific Division, ATC. Ferrying of new aircraft to Hickam Field from aircraft manufacturing plants in Southern California utilized Long Beach Army Airfield and San Diego Municipal Airport was conducted under jurisdiction of 1572d AAFBU.
Hickam Field Hawaii Territory 21°20′07″N157°56′54″W / 21.33528°N 157.94833°W / 21.33528; -157.94833 (Hickam Field) 2,402 miles (3,866 km) from Hamilton Field. 1500th AAFBU. Headquarters, Pacific Division, Air Transport Command (ATC). Hickam was also the location of Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) Hawaiian Air Depot, performed required tropical modifications on all ATC ferried aircraft prior to deployment to Pacific Theater.
East Island Airfield Midway Island 28°12′39″N177°19′43″W / 28.21083°N 177.32861°W / 28.21083; -177.32861 (Midway Island) 1,314 miles (2,115 km) from Hickam Field. Use by AAC Ferrying Command ended in December 1941.
Pan American Airport Wake Island 19°17′35″N166°38′52″E / 19.29306°N 166.64778°E / 19.29306; 166.64778 (Wake Island) 1,182 miles (1,902 km) from Midway Island. Seized by Japanese Navy, December 1941. Under Japanese control until September 1945.
Pan American Airport Guam 13°29′02″N144°47′50″E / 13.48389°N 144.79722°E / 13.48389; 144.79722 (Guam) 1,503 miles (2,419 km) from Wake Island. Seized by Japanese Navy, December 1941. Not used by ATC after liberation of Guam in August 1944.
Clark Field Philippines 15°11′09″N120°33′37″E / 15.18583°N 120.56028°E / 15.18583; 120.56028 (Clark Field) 1,627 miles (2,618 km) from Guam. Seized by Japanese Army, January 1942. Not used by ATC after liberation of airfield in January 1945.
6,947 miles (11,180 km) Hamilton Field <-> Clark Field

MacArthur believed, as many others did, that the Japanese would not launch any attacks until the end of the 1942 monsoon season. The ensuing months would provide enough time for the Air Corps to ferry additional B-17 Flying Fortresses from the United States to the Philippines. The bombers would fly the route until December 1941. However, this central route, which passed close to the Japanese League of Nations mandate which consisted of several groups of islands (modern-day Palau, Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Marshall Islands), became more vulnerable; as tension grew between the United States and Japan.

South Pacific Route (1942)

Pacific & Adjacent areas 1942 showing key air ferry route. Pacific & Adjacent areas 1942 CMH Pub 72-22.jpg
Pacific & Adjacent areas 1942 showing key air ferry route.

To provide a safer air ferry route, the Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District created a new southern route to the Philippines in the fall of 1941 starting at Hickam Field, Hawaii Territory.

South Pacific Route #1
NameLocationCoordinatesNotes
Originated: Hickam Field, Hawaii Territory
Christmas Island Airfield Line Islands 01°59′10″N157°21′13″W / 1.98611°N 157.35361°W / 1.98611; -157.35361 (Christmas Island) 1,342 miles (2,160 km) from Hickam Field. Established as "Station 8" AAC Ferrying Command, later 1525th AAFBU, ATC. Ferrying/transport facility closed, December 1944. Airfield was used by USAF until the late 1950s as an Air Weather Service station under MATS. [2]
Canton Island Airfield Phoenix Islands 02°46′09″S171°42′19″W / 2.76917°S 171.70528°W / -2.76917; -171.70528 (Canton Island) 1,046 miles (1,683 km) from Christmas Island. Established as "Station 7" AAC Ferrying Command, Later 1531st AAFBU, ATC. Closed May 1945. Later became part of USAF Western Test Range. [3]
Nandi Air Base Fiji Islands 17°45′19″S177°26′35″E / 17.75528°S 177.44306°E / -17.75528; 177.44306 (Nandi Airfield) 1,270 miles (2,040 km) from Canton Island. Established as "Station 15" AAC Ferrying Command, later 1530th AAFBU, ATC. Also operated ferrying route only also to Auckland Airport, New Zealand. 37°00′29″S174°47′39″E / 37.00806°S 174.79417°E / -37.00806; 174.79417 (Auckland Airport)
Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield New Caledonia 21°07′44″S164°54′37″E / 21.12889°S 164.91028°E / -21.12889; 164.91028 (Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield) 850 miles (1,370 km) from Canton Island. Detachment, 1551st AAFBU, ATC. Occasional use by ATC, main base on New Caledonia being Tontouta. Also used by Thirteenth Air Force, closed 1945. Today abandoned and overgrown with vegetation, many small traces of the USAAF use remain.
Tontouta Airfield New Caledonia 22°00′59″S166°12′58″E / 22.01639°S 166.21611°E / -22.01639; 166.21611 (Tontouta Airfield) 787 miles (1,267 km) from Nadi Airfield. Established as "Station 34" AAC Ferrying Command, later Detachment, 1551st AAFBU, ATC. Air Technical Service Command maintenance and supply depot for South Pacific Area. Also operated transport route only also to Auckland Airport, New Zealand. [4]
RAAF Base Townsville Queensland, Australia 19°15′12″S146°45′54″E / 19.25333°S 146.76500°E / -19.25333; 146.76500 (RAAF Base Townsville) 1,272 miles (2,047 km) from Tontouta. ATC ferrying facilities moved to Archerfield Airport, Brisbane 27°34′13″S153°00′29″E / 27.57028°S 153.00806°E / -27.57028; 153.00806 (Archerfield Airport) in spring 1942. Established as "Station 25" AAC Ferrying Command, later 1558th AAFBU, ATC remained as a transport support unit. [5]
5,717 miles (9,201 km) Hickam Field <-> RAAF Base Townsville
5,358 miles (8,623 km) Hickam Field <-> Brisbane
RAAF Base Darwin Northern Territory, Australia 12°24′53″S130°52′36″E / 12.41472°S 130.87667°E / -12.41472; 130.87667 (RAAF Base Darwin) 1,158 miles (1,864 km) from Townsville. 7th Bombardment Group was planned to stage B-17s though Darwin then proceed to Del Monte Field in early December 1941. Deteriorating situation in the Philippines led the group to divert to Brisbane from Tontouta and did not engage in combat in the Philippines. Detachment of ATC 1562d AAFBU operated transport facility for combat support in Papua New Guinea.
Del Monte Field Mindanao, Philippines 08°21′41″N124°49′59″E / 8.36139°N 124.83306°E / 8.36139; 124.83306 (Del Monte Field) 1,495 miles (2,406 km) from Darwin, 553 miles (890 km) from Clark Field. Was planned as a staging/dispersal field for B-17s. Planned, but never was used as a ferrying airfield by ATC. B-17 survivors of 19th Bombardment Group at Clark Field withdrew to Del Monte and carried out limited combat operations through the end of December 1941 then withdrew from the Philippines though Darwin to Batchelor Airfield, Queensland, Australia where group was reformed. Del Monte supported limited fighter operations by remnants of 24th Pursuit Group until collapse of United States organized resistance in the Philippines, March 1942.

The Japanese, however, did not wait for the monsoon season to pass. After their air attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese ground forces quickly occupied the Philippines and began advancing through the Southwest Pacific threatening the newly constructed southern air ferry route. To counter this threat, the engineers constructed an easterly alternate route farther removed from Japanese advances by flying south from Christmas Island Airfield .

South Pacific Route #2
NameLocationCoordinatesNotes
Originated: Hickam Field, Hawaii Territory
Penrhyn Atoll Airfield Cook Islands 09°00′51″S158°01′56″W / 9.01417°S 158.03222°W / -9.01417; -158.03222 (Penrhyn Island) 2,099 miles (3,378 km) from Hickam Field. Established as "Station 16" AAC Ferrying Command, later 1526th AAFBU, ATC. [6]
Aitutaki Airfield Cook Islands 18°49′51″S159°45′52″W / 18.83083°S 159.76444°W / -18.83083; -159.76444 (Aitutaki Island) 688 miles (1,107 km) from Penrhyn. 1528th AAFBU, ATC.
Tongatapu Airfield Tonga Islands 21°14′23″S175°09′06″W / 21.23972°S 175.15167°W / -21.23972; -175.15167 (Tongatapu Island) 1,013 miles (1,630 km) from Aitutaki.
Norfolk Airfield Norfolk Island 29°02′30″S167°56′22″E / 29.04167°S 167.93944°E / -29.04167; 167.93944 (Norfolk Island) 1,186 miles (1,909 km) from Tongatapu. ATC facilities operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Sydney Airport New South Wales, Australia 33°56′46″S151°10′38″E / 33.94611°S 151.17722°E / -33.94611; 151.17722 (Sydney Airport) 1,043 miles (1,679 km) from Norfolk. ATC facilities moved to Archerfield Airport, Brisbane in mid 1942. Detachment of 1557th AAFBU, ATC remained to support transport operations.
6,029 miles (9,703 km) Hickam Field <-> Sydney
5,900 miles (9,500 km) Hickam Field <-> Brisbane

Central Pacific Route 1945

Central Pacific Route 1945
NameLocationCoordinatesNotes
Originated: Hickam Field, Hawaii Territory
Naval Air Station Johnston Island Johnston Atoll 16°43′45″N169°32′02″W / 16.72917°N 169.53389°W / 16.72917; -169.53389 (Johnston Atoll) 820 miles (1,320 km) from Hickam Field.
Kwajalein Atoll Airfield Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands 08°43′12″N167°43′53″E / 8.72000°N 167.73139°E / 8.72000; 167.73139 (Kwajalein Atoll) 1,629 miles (2,622 km) from Johnston Island.
Harmon Field Guam, Marianas Islands 13°30′00″N144°48′29″E / 13.50000°N 144.80806°E / 13.50000; 144.80806 (Harmon Field) 1,589 miles (2,557 km) from Kwajalein.
Kadena Airfield Okinawa 26°21′26″N127°46′00″E / 26.35722°N 127.76667°E / 26.35722; 127.76667 (Kadena Airfield) 1,418 miles (2,282 km) May 1945 link from Harmon Field, Guam
Tachikawa Airfield Tokyo, Japan 35°42′39″N139°24′11″E / 35.71083°N 139.40306°E / 35.71083; 139.40306 (Tachikawa Airfield) 1,572 miles (2,530 km) Postwar link from Harmon Field, Guam, after September 1945
4,038 miles (6,499 km) Hickam Field <-> Harmon Field
1,596 miles (2,569 km) Harmon Field <-> Nielson Field, Manila, Philippines.

Southwest Pacific Route 1945

Southwest Pacific Route 1945
NameLocationCoordinatesNotes
Originated: Johnston Atoll Airfield
Hawkins Field Tarawa, Gilbert Islands 01°21′22″N172°55′48″E / 1.35611°N 172.93000°E / 1.35611; 172.93000 (Tarawa Island) 1,598 miles (2,572 km) from Johnston Atoll.
Momote Airfield Manus, Admiralty Islands 02°03′42″S147°25′27″E / 2.06167°S 147.42417°E / -2.06167; 147.42417 (Momote Airfield) 1,779 miles (2,863 km) from Tarawa.
Mokmer Airfield Biak, Papua New Guinea 01°11′23″S136°06′29″E / 1.18972°S 136.10806°E / -1.18972; 136.10806 (Mokmer Airfield) 784 miles (1,262 km) from Momote Airfield. Also Transport only route to Archerfield Airport, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Dulag Airfield Leyte, Philippines 10°56′52″N125°00′37″E / 10.94778°N 125.01028°E / 10.94778; 125.01028 (Dulag Airfield) 1,134 miles (1,825 km) from Biak.
Nielson Field Manila, Luzon, Philippines 14°33′02″N121°01′46″E / 14.55056°N 121.02944°E / 14.55056; 121.02944 (Nielson Field) 366 miles (589 km) from Leyte.
5,661 miles (9,110 km) Johnston Atoll Airfield <-> Nielson Field
Kunming Airport China 24°59′32″N102°44′36″E / 24.99222°N 102.74333°E / 24.99222; 102.74333 (Kunming Airport) 1,389 miles (2,235 km) from Manila. Postwar connected with India-China Division after September 1945.

Southeast Pacific Route 1945

Southeast Pacific Route 1945
NameLocationCoordinatesNotes
Originated: Mokmer Airfield, Biak, Papua New Guinea
Hollandia Airfield Hollandia, Indonesia 02°34′36″S140°30′57″E / 2.57667°S 140.51583°E / -2.57667; 140.51583 (Hollandia Airfield) 319 miles (513 km) from Biak.
Finschhafen Airfield New Guinea 06°37′20″S147°51′14″E / 6.62222°S 147.85389°E / -6.62222; 147.85389 (Finschhafen Airfield) 578 miles (930 km) from Hollandia.
Henderson Field Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands 09°25′40″S160°03′17″E / 9.42778°S 160.05472°E / -9.42778; 160.05472 (Henderson Field) 857 miles (1,379 km) from Finschhafen.
Luganville Airfield Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides 15°30′18″S167°13′11″E / 15.50500°S 167.21972°E / -15.50500; 167.21972 (Luganville Airfield) 640 miles (1,030 km) from Henderson Field.
455 miles (732 km) to Tontouta Airfield, Nouméa, New Caledonia
2,849 miles (4,585 km) Biak <-> New Caledonia

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hickam Air Force Base</span> United States Air Force base at Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii, USA

Hickam Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) installation, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lieutenant Colonel Horace Meek Hickam. The installation merged in 2010 with Naval Station Pearl Harbor to become part of the newly formed Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, on the island of Oʻahu in the State of Hawaiʻi. The base neighbors Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and currently shares runways with the airport for its activities and operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seventh Air Force</span> US Air Force formation responsible for the Korean region

The Seventh Air Force (Air Forces Korea) (7 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon Blake</span> United States general

Gordon Aylesworth Blake was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force who served as director of the National Security Agency from 1962 to 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Air Forces</span> Major command of the United States Air Force responsible for the Indo-Pacific region

The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PACAF is headquartered at the Hickam AFB portion of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, and is one of two USAF MAJCOMs assigned outside the Continental United States, the other being the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. Over the past sixty-five plus years, PACAF has been engaged in combat during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwest Staging Route</span> Air route in Alaska and northern/western Canada during World War II

The Northwest Staging Route was a series of airstrips, airport and radio ranging stations built in Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska during World War II. It extended into the Soviet Union as the ALSIB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eleventh Air Force</span> US Air Force division in Alaska

The Eleventh Air Force (11 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Transport Command</span> United States Army Air Forces command responsible for transport and ferrying aircraft

Air Transport Command (ATC) was a United States Air Force unit that was created during World War II as the strategic airlift component of the United States Army Air Forces.

The Crimson Route was a set of joint United States and Canada transport routes planned for ferrying planes and material from North America to Europe during World War II. The project was ended in 1943 and never fully developed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">515th Air Mobility Operations Wing</span> Military unit

The 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing is part of Air Mobility Command stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. It was activated in 2008. It coordinates logistical air movements into, out of, and throughout the Pacific. It is part of the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Air Forces in Australia</span>

During 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. From these airports and airfields in Australia, the Fifth Air Force was able to regroup, re-equip and begin offensive operations against the Empire of Japan after the disasters in the Philippines and Dutch East Indies during 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific Theatre</span>

During 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Air Forces in the South Pacific Area</span>

During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces engaged in combat against the Empire of Japan in the South Pacific Area. As defined by the War Department, this consisted of the Pacific Ocean areas which lay south of the Equator between longitude 159° East and 110° West. It included New Zealand, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Fiji, and most of the Solomon Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Air Forces in the Central Pacific Area</span>

During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces fought the Empire of Japan in the Central Pacific Area. As defined by the War Department, this consisted of most of the Pacific Ocean and its islands, excluding the Philippines, Australia, the Netherlands East Indies, the Territory of New Guinea the Solomon Islands and areas to the south and east of the Solomons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">400th Missile Squadron</span> Military unit

The 400th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 90th Operations Group at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, where it was inactivated in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Atlantic air ferry route in World War II</span>

The North Atlantic air ferry route was a series of Air Routes over the North Atlantic Ocean on which aircraft were ferried from the United States and Canada to Great Britain during World War II to support combat operations in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Kamehameha</span> United States historic place

Fort Kamehameha was a United States Army military base that was the site of several coastal artillery batteries to defend Pearl Harbor starting in 1907 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Surveillance System</span> System for air defense of North America

The Joint Surveillance System (JSS) is a joint United States Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration system for the atmospheric air defense of North America. It replaced the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system in 1983.

Cape Air Force Base also known as Fort Glenn Army Air Base, is a site significant for its role in World War II fighting, operating alongside Naval Air Facility Otter Point.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India–China Division, Air Transport Command</span> Military unit

The India-China Division (ICD) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Air Transport Command, stationed at Dum Dum Airport Calcutta, British India. It was inactivated in 1946. The organization was formed as the India-China Wing, ATC (ICWATC) from a consolidation of equipment and personnel of former units of the disbanded India-China Ferry Command in December 1942, which had been established in July 1942 by the Tenth Air Force to transport materiel to China over the Himalayan Mountains.

The West Coast Wing (WCW) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Division, Air Transport Command, headquartered at Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 30 September 1946.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pacific Division, Air Transport command (1945), Chronology of Trans-Pacific Routes, Pacific Division, AAF, ATC. USAFHRA Document 250695
  2. AFHRA search Christmas Island
  3. AFHRA search Canton Island
  4. AFHRA search Tontouta Airfield
  5. AFHRA search Townsville
  6. AFHRA search Penrhyn

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency