The First Fighters in New Guinea, 1942 - 1944
US National Archives・2 minutes read
New Guinea was strategically important during WWII, with Port Moresby as the only allied base against Japanese control. It took two and a half years for General McArthur's leap-frog tactics to eliminate Japanese forces from the island, with Allied fighter squadrons playing a crucial role.
Insights
- The strategic importance of Port Moresby as the only allied base in New Guinea in 1942 played a crucial role in the Pacific theater of World War II, with the Japanese launching daily air attacks to gain control of the island, highlighting the intense and protracted conflict in the region.
- The diverse experiences of Air Corps personnel, including preparations for missions, maintenance challenges, and interactions with native populations, underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of wartime operations in New Guinea, showcasing the logistical difficulties and cultural encounters faced by those involved in the conflict.
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Recent questions
What events led to the division of New Guinea in 1942?
New Guinea was divided into Papua New Guinea under Australian control and Dutch New Guinea under Holland's control in 1942 due to the presence of Japanese forces on the island.
How did the Allies eliminate Japanese forces from New Guinea?
The Allies took two and a half years to eliminate Japanese forces from New Guinea by using General McArthur's leap-frog tactics, gradually pushing the Japanese back through strategic military maneuvers.
What challenges did Air Corps personnel face in New Guinea?
Air Corps personnel in New Guinea faced challenges such as maintaining aircraft with different models within squadrons, carrying out engine changes, and filing maintenance reports after each flight due to the combat conditions on the island.
How did the natives in New Guinea engage in trade?
Natives in New Guinea engaged in bartering using shells as currency, exchanging goods like wives and pigs. This form of trade was a common practice among the native populations on the island during the wartime period.
What was the journey of the 36th squadron in New Guinea like?
The 36th squadron's journey in New Guinea included a boat trip to Milne Bay in the fall of 1942, interactions with Australian troops, witnessing gun drills, experiencing New Guinea sunsets, and engaging with native populations in various locations. The squadron also transitioned from using P-39s to P-38s during their time in New Guinea.
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Summary
00:00
Allied Campaign in New Guinea 1942-1945
- New Guinea was divided into Papua New Guinea under Australian control and Dutch New Guinea under Holland's control in 1942.
- Port Moresby was the sole village in New Guinea and the only allied base in the country in 1942.
- Japanese controlled the island except for Moresby, launching daily air attacks on the airstrip and harbor facilities.
- Allies took two and a half years to eliminate Japanese forces from the island using General McArthur's leap-frog tactics.
- Three fighter squadrons, 35th, 36th, and 80th of the 8th fighter group Army Air Corps, operated in New Guinea.
- Air Corps personnel prepared for missions to New Guinea, with enlisted men carrying tar beans and barracks bags.
- Pilots and ground officers received promotions, wearing Australian clothing and fleece-lined flying boots.
- Maintenance of aircraft, including engine changes, was challenging due to different aircraft models within squadrons.
- Aircraft carried droppable gas belly tanks for combat, with maintenance reports filed after each flight.
- Natives in New Guinea engaged in bartering, with shells used as currency for goods like wives and pigs.
26:47
"Major Welsh's WWII Squadron's Pacific Journey"
- Welsh joined the 36th squadron after shooting down four Japanese Zeros at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, later becoming a Major with 16 Japanese planes to his credit before being killed in the States.
- The squadron's journey included a boat trip to Milne Bay, New Guinea in the fall of 1942, where they interacted with Australian troops, witnessed a gun drill, and experienced a New Guinea sunset, with the first planes being P-39s and later P-38s, while also engaging with native populations in various locations.
