PBY-5A Catalina And Bob Hope At Mullinix Field, Kiribati (Silent)

PBY-5A Catalina And Bob Hope At Mullinix Field, Kiribati (Silent)The airport was built in December 1943 by United States Navy Seabees and was named “Mullinix Field”, in honor of Rear Admiral Henry M. Mullinix, who died in the sinking of the USS Liscombe Bay on 24 November 1943 after it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off the Gilbert Islands.

Almost immediately after the completion of the runway, it became the nexus of United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) operations from Tarawa, as the runway at nearby Hawkins Field on Betio was too short for safe bomber operations. The longer runway at Mullinix became the base for the VII Bomber Command Headquarters, which directed operations against Japanese forces in the Marshall Islands. In addition, the USAAF stationed the B-24 Liberator-equipped 11th Bombardment Group and B-25 Mitchell-equipped 41st Bombardment Group at the airfield.

In April 1944, the land-based units moved forward to Kwajalein Airfield in the Marshall Islands, and shortly thereafter, Mullinix was reduced to an emergency airfield. By the end of the war, the Americans abandoned the facilities and the airfield was turned into a civilian airport.

LANDING OF BOB HOPE AT MULLINEX FIELD & PICTURES OF HOPE SHOW

1) MS PBY-5A lands, taxis.2) MS Bob Hope & party exit plane; greeted by officers & men.3) MS Hope party enters jeeps.4) MS PBY-5A warms up.5) GV-Pan Stage & spectators for Hope show.6) MS Hope & party in plane.QUALITY: GENERALLY FAIR