An album of 87 large-format aerial photographs of the New Guinea coastline, circa 1943
A large oblong post-bound quarter contrasting (brown and green) cloth album (240 × 460 mm, lettered in gilt on the front cover 'New Guinea || R.G.B.'), containing 87 aerial photographs (gelatin silver prints, some sepia-toned, each one approximately 215 × 450 mm, with approximately 40 mm on the left-hand edge obscured by the binding); short stubs remain where two other plates have been torn out.
The leading edge of the front cover and all four front corners are worn, with the green cloth a little marked; slight surface damage to the first photograph near the left-hand edge; trifling signs of use and age; overall, in very good condition, with the plates in excellent order.
Five of the photographs show the construction of Narewa Airfield on Woodlark Island in the Territory of New Guinea (now Milne Bay Province, PNG). 'Narewa Airfield is located at 10' above sea level parallel to Guasopa Bay on the southeast of Woodlark Island. Also known as "Guasopa Airfield" or "Woodlark Airfield".... On June 30, 1943 US forces landed on Woodlark Island and met little opposition. On July 2, 1943 the first echelon of the US Navy (USN) 60th Naval Construction Battalion (60th NCB) "SeaBees" began clearing and grading the area. In only twelve days, they built a single 3,000' x 150' coral surfaced runway. Some Japanese air raids occurred during the construction but caused no casualties. By the middle of September the runway was expanded to 6,500' x 225'. A parallel runway of 6,000' x 60' was also built. By October 12th, 110 hardstands were completed, then moved to Finschafen.... Starting in late July 1943, Narewa Airfield was used by the US Army Air Force (USAAF) as a forward military airfield. On July 23, 1943 a detachment of Airacobras from the 67th Fighter Squadron (67th FS) arrived from the South Pacific (SOPAC) and flew patrol missions and in October 28, 1943 returned to New Georgia and the remainder departed on January 1944 to the Russells' ('Pacific Wrecks' website). Aircraft appear in a further five photographs (including one of a major airfield with numerous aircraft in dozens of dispersed hardstands); another two show exploding bombs; approximately 20 feature structures, settlements or buildings, including isolated bush huts, small villages, and groups of tents. The remaining 55 photographs feature a wide variety of raking shots of New Guinea coastal scenes. We presume these photographs were taken by the 5th Air Force USAAF, based at the time in Brisbane. Provenance: VX110556 Corporal Raymond George Ball, 6 Australian Army Topographical Survey Company.
Item #120611
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