Dulag Airfield Explained

Dulag Airfield
Partof:Fifth Air Force
Type:Military airfield
Built:1943
Used:1943-1945
Controlledby:United States Army Air Forces

Dulag Airfield is a World War II airfield located near Dulag in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It was closed after the war.

History

The airfield was built by the Japanese during the Occupation of the Philippines in 1943. Seized by the Americans shortly after the Leyte Landing in November 1944. Seabees from the 61st CB improved and widened the runway with a double set of revetments plus taxiways to the side. The facility was turned into a major base.

Major units assigned were:

It was abandoned after the war and today it is an agricultural area. A road runs along the same position of the main runway.

A memorial is built at the former airfield, with a plaque and an airplane model on a concrete pad. The memorial plaque reads: "World War II Airfield - Brgy. Rawis Dulag, Leyte, Philippines. Constructed by the Japanese Imperial Army supported by free labor from the Dulagnons. Taken over by the Allied liberation forces in 1944, improving and widening the area with steel matting runways. Fighter and bomber planes were stationed here through the war days."

See also

References