Lae Nadzab Airport (No. 1 & 2 Strip, East Base)

This airport was built by the U.S. Army during the Second World War. It was used by the USAAF and RAAF. Prior to the Allied liberation of Lae, the area was used as a Japanese emergency strip.

The key element in the recapture of Lae was an airborne assault by the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the US Army on September 5, 1943. And as the paratroops were dropped on Nadzab Airfield, General MacArthur himself was watching the operation from a circling aircraft. It was the first parachute drop for the regiment.

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Source

• Text: Matthew Stevenson + Kaj Metz
• Photos: Matthew Stevenson (1), U.S. Army (2)
• Pacific Wrecks