Another airfield construction story brought to you by Aerothentic

Wards Drome behind Port Moresby was built in 1942 by an Australian Engineering Battalion. Much of the work involved clearing gum trees which were omnipresent in the valley. It was especially muddy when it rained, and here can be seen an overturned cart in this rare photo of Wards under construction.

The first U.S bomber unit to be based at Wards was the 90th Bombardment Group and their D model Liberators. This occured in early January 1943 when they were informed that they would be moving base to Ward's Drome, with the exception of the 319th BS, which would temporarily operate from the Darwin area.

Aerothentic is proud to bring you some of the more esoteric facts behind the forgotten Fifth Air Force . . .

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