Airfields Used By The RNZAF During The Pacific War, WW 2, Gilbert & Ellice Islands
Gilbert And Ellice
Tuvalu Flag
The Gilbert & Ellice Islands were a British Protectorate from 1892 and a Colony from 1916, until 1st January 1976, when the Islands were divided into two colonies which became independent NatiIslandsrtly after.
A referendum was held in December 1974 to determine whether the Gilbert Islands and the Ellice Islands should each have their own administration.
As a consequence of the referendum the Gilbert & Ellice Islands Colony ceased to exist on 1st January 1976 and the separate countries of Kiribati and Tuvaiu came into existence.
The Gilbert Islands [formally known as Kingsmill Islands] are a chain of atolls and coral islands in the Western Pacific that are recognized as part of the Micronesia subregion of Oceania.
The Gilbert Islands are the main part of what is now the Republic of Kiribati, [which is the Gilbertese rendition of Gilberts].
Gilbert / Kiribali Islands
The 16 Atolls and Islands of Kiribati are arranged in an approximate North to South line with the Equator serving as a dividing line between the Northern and Southern Islands.
The Tuvaiu Islands are South of the Kiribati Islands, and comprise 3 reef Islands and 6 true Atolls, spread between Latitude 5^ to 10^ and Longitude 176^ to 180^ West oft the International Date Line,
They are midway between Hawaii and Australia, and are recognized as being part of the Polynesia Subregion of Oceania.
In 1606 Pedro Fernandes de Queiros sighted Butaritari and Makinm which he named the Buen Viaje [Good trip in Spanish],
The Gilberts were named in 1820 by a Russian Admiral Baron Johann von Krusenstern, after a British Captain Thomas Gilbert.
The name Tuvala means 8 islands standing together, there are 9 Islands, but only 8 are occupied.
Funafuti was named after Edward Ellice, a British Politician and Merchant, by Captain Arent de Peyster, who sighted the Islands in 1819, while sailing in the ship Rebecca,
Ellice owned the cargo in the ship.
A resident Commissioner was appointed for the Islands, a Charles Swayne, in 1892, he was succeeded by W Telfer Campbell in 1896, he established him self, and his office, on the Atoll of Tarawa, and remained in office until 1908.
The seat of Government was changed to Ocean Island [now Banaba Island] to take advantage of the improved shipping connections resulting from the Pacific Phosphate Company’s activities.
The status of the Islands was changed on 12th January 1916 to that of a Colony.
The US Forces landed on Funafuiti on 2nd October 1942, and Nanumea and Nukufetau in August 1943, they constructed an Airfield on each Island.
The Japanese invaded the Gilbert Islands on the same day as they attacked Pearl Harbour, 6th December 1942, occupying them by 10th December 1942.
On the 17th August 1942, 221 US Marines of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion raided Makin from 2 submarines.
The raid was intended to confuse the Japanese about the US intentions in the Pacific.
This alerted the Japanese of the strategic importance of the Islands and led to their reinforcement and fortification.
The Battle of the Coral Sea prevented the Japanese from advancing into the Ellice Islands.
The US Forces landed on Funafuti on 2nd October 1942, and Nanumea and Nukufetau in August 1943, they constructed an Airfield on each Island.
On Funafuti, the natives moved onto smaller islands to allow the US forces to build the airfield and Naval Base onthe island.
The Atolls of Tuvalu acted as staging posts during the perpetration for the Battle of Tarawa and the Battle for Makin that commenced on 20th November 1943.
After WW 2 the colony HQ was transferred to Tarawa, first on Betio islet, then later, Bairiki Islet.
Funafuti
Probably a detachment from Fiji
No 4 [BR] Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron September to November 1944
No 8 [BR] Squadron
No 9 [BR] Squadron
RNZAF Lockheed Ventura NZ 4550 crashed on 4th December 1944, while attempting to land at Funafuti Airfield, killing the 5 crews members.
The Aircraft had been on patrol and had returned to the airfield with the depth charges still aboard.
The ground crew noticed that it was coming to fast, the aircraft bounced twice, then swerved dangerously towards a 70 foot tall palm tree.
The pilot opened the throttles, hoping to climb above the trees and do a second approach, but it was too late, the aircraft smashed into the trees at around 35 feet and flipped upside down in a ball of flame.
The depth charges exploded, totally destroying the aircraft and crew.
The crew were
Flight Sergeant W W Young
Pilot Officer J D Dungey
Flight Sergeant R F McAuliffe
Sergeant N J Heal
Sergeant L J Bowick
Lockheed Ventura
Consolidated Catalina NZ 4031.
Taking off from Funafuti Lagoon on 13th April 1945
3 of the 10 on board killed
While taking off in a swell the Flying Boat began to porpoise. On becoming airborne the aircraft stalled from about 15 feet and fell heavily, bow first, into the Lagoon
Consolidated Catalina
with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner
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