Harris Neck Army Air Field: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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Harris Neck is a coastal peninsula located 30 miles south of [[Savannah, Georgia]] in McIntosh County. The nearest town is South Newport, six miles to the west. Originally named Dickinson's Neck, the peninsula was renamed when William Thomas Harris became the principal land owner in the mid 1700's. |
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| ⚫ | The original Harris Neck airfield was built sometime between 1929-32. It was named "Harris Neck Intermediate Field Site #8", and it was an emergency airfield for commercial planes on the [[Richmond]]-[[Jacksonville]] air route. The field consisted of an irregularly-shaped 93 acre sod parcel, with two sod runways 2,600' east/west & 2,550' north/south in a criss-cross pattern. The field was said to be illuminated, but to offer no services. The Harris Neck |
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| ⚫ | The original Harris Neck airfield was built sometime between 1929-32. It was named "Harris Neck Intermediate Field Site #8", and it was an emergency airfield for commercial planes on the [[Richmond]]-[[Jacksonville]] air route. The field consisted of an irregularly-shaped 93 acre sod parcel, with two sod runways 2,600' east/west & 2,550' north/south in a criss-cross pattern. The field was said to be illuminated, but to offer no services. The Harris Neck airfield closed to the public on 1 January 1942 when the [[Civil Air Patrol]] began anti-submarine flights. It was evidently abandoned when in 1942 the new military airfield was built a half-mile north. There is no trace of its existence today. |
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Construction of '''Harris Neck Army Airfield''' began on 15 January 1942 by the [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[First Air Force]]. A detachment of men from the 855th Guard Squadron, stationed at [[Hunter Army Air Field]] would occupy the Harris Neck facility on 7 December 1942. It was activated on 28 January 1943 as an axillary of [[Dale Mabry Field|Dale Mabry Army Airfield]] in [[Tallahassee, Florida]]. The airfield consisted of three 3,500' paved runways, taxiways, and dispersal pads. The military property was a total of 1,200 acres. It was used primarily for training of fighter pilots. Numerous units would rotate through for training sessions. There was a triangle shaped runway and a few support buildings. It was home to the single-seat Bell [[P-39 Airacobra]], which was replaced during February, 1944, by the Curtiss [[P-40|P-40E Kittyhawk]]. |
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In mid-1942, the [[Army Air Force]] decided to build a base at Harris Neck. Construction of '''Harris Neck Army Airfield''' began on 15 July 1942 by the [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[First Air Force]]. The original plan provided for two runways. The Army's decision to add a third runway required the acquisition of additional land. A detachment of men from the 855th Guard Squadron, stationed at [[Hunter Army Air Field]] would occupy the Harris Neck facility on 7 December 1942. It was activated on 28 January 1943 as an axillary of [[Dale Mabry Field|Dale Mabry Army Airfield]] in [[Tallahassee, Florida]]. |
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In March 1943, the Army enlarged the project to provide facilities for one dive bomber squadron of 24 airplanes and an oversized fighter Replacement Training Unit of 36 aircraft. The increase necessitated enlarging the parking apron by 19,000 sq. yds. Accommodations were eventually provided for 120 officers and 400 enlisted men. Construction totaled eleven prefabricated buildings and included a 37 x 99-ft. combination theater, recreation building and chapel, a 20 x 100-ft. combination service club and exchange, and a 20 x 60-ft. office building. The three 5,400-ft. concrete runways were laid out in a perfect triangle that enclosed 15 revetments. The Livingston House, a former private residence, served as the officer's club. Since the closest town of any significance, [[Brunswick, Georgia|Brunswick]] was 45 miles away, one might surmise that the officer's club must have gotten a lot of use. Motion pictures were shown in the post theater three nights a week. |
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Harris Neck AAF was used primarily for training of fighter pilots. Numerous units would rotate through for training sessions. There was a triangle shaped runway and a few support buildings. It was home to the single-seat Bell [[P-39 Airacobra]], which was replaced during February, 1944, by the Curtiss [[P-40|P-40E Kittyhawk]]. |
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Known units assigned to the airfield were: |
Known units assigned to the airfield were: |
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* [[500th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] (Fighter, Replacement Training), 13 December 1943-1 May 1944 |
* [[500th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] (Fighter, Replacement Training), 13 December 1943-1 May 1944 |
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The typical complement of aircraft consisted of 32 P-40s and five BT-13s. In March 1944, a Noorduyn UC-64, an eight place light transport, was also assigned to the airfield. Both squadrons were assigned to the [[85th Fighter-Bomber Group]] at [[Waycross-Ware County Airport|Waycross AAF]], Georgia. |
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Both squadrons were assigned to the [[85th Fighter-Bomber Group]] at [[Waycross-Ware County Airport|Waycross AAF]], Georgia. The 86th FBG was inactivated at Waycross and The 346th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter) was activated on 1 May 1944 at Harris Neck assuming its pilot training mission. The airfield ended its training mission and was assigned to Air Technical Service command, becoming a sub-base of [[Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport|Statesboro AAF]] on 31 December 1944. |
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The 86th FBG was inactivated at Waycross AAF and The 346th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter) was activated on 1 May 1944 at Harris Neck assuming its pilot training mission. Pilots receiving training were normally organized into two classes, an upper and a lower, of thirty pilots each. Synthetic training devices present included two Link trainers, two Gunairstructors, and one deflection gunnery trainer. |
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The airfield ended its training mission and was assigned to [[Air Technical Service Command]], becoming a sub-base of [[Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport|Statesboro AAF]] on 31 December 1944. |
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| ⚫ | On 5 January 1945, the airfield was turned over to the [[United States Navy]] and remained under Navy control until 1962, as it was listed as '''Harris Neck OLF''' and as a sub-base of [[Naval Air Station Glynco|Glynco NAS]] in [[Brunswick, Georgia]]. It was, however restricted in its military use, as it was closed to all traffic except on prior approval. |
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In October 1946, the War Assets Administration deeded the 2,687 acres of the Harris Neck airbase to McIntosh County for use as a county airport. The venture was doomed before it even started. To successfully operate an airport, there must be a need. The fact is, Harris Neck Airfield is out in the middle of nowhere. The population of McIntosh County totaled only 5,200 in 1940. During the summer of 1949, several of the former Army buildings were discovered to have been stripped of useful equipment. Local law enforcement made several arrests. |
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| ⚫ | On 5 January 1945, the airfield was turned over to the [[United States Navy]] and remained under Navy control until 1962, as it was listed as '''Harris Neck OLF''' and as a sub-base of [[Naval Air Station Glynco|Glynco NAS]] in [[Brunswick, Georgia]]. It was, however restricted in its military use, as it was closed to all traffic except on prior approval |
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Due to county mismanagement of the land resources, Harris Neck Airport was transferred at some point to the Federal Aviation Administration. The property was then turned over to the US Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife (forerunner of the USFWS) in 1962. That is presumably when the airfield was closed. The property was then declared a migratory bird refuge. |
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Today, there is very little left today to show that the area was once an airfield. Other than the overgrown runways, taxiways, revetments, munitions bunkers and the bore sighting range, the only structure that exists on the former military airfield is a lovely water fountain which must have belonged to the Livingston House. The area is very overgrown & travel is limited by 'keep out' signs. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 13:32, 19 May 2009
| Harris Neck Army Airfield Harris Neck OLF  .svg) | |
|---|---|
| Located in: McIntosh County, Georgia | |
 22 February 1999 | |
| Coordinates | 31°38′24″N 081°17′24″W / 31.64000°N 81.29000°W |
| Type | Military Airfield |
| Site information | |
| Owner | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
| Controlled by | First Air Force |
| Condition | Abandoned |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | 1942-1944 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 85th Fighter-Bomber Group |
Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. It is located located north of the intersection of Route 131 & Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia.
History
Harris Neck is a coastal peninsula located 30 miles south of Savannah, Georgia in McIntosh County. The nearest town is South Newport, six miles to the west. Originally named Dickinson's Neck, the peninsula was renamed when William Thomas Harris became the principal land owner in the mid 1700's.
The original Harris Neck airfield was built sometime between 1929-32. It was named "Harris Neck Intermediate Field Site #8", and it was an emergency airfield for commercial planes on the Richmond-Jacksonville air route. The field consisted of an irregularly-shaped 93 acre sod parcel, with two sod runways 2,600' east/west & 2,550' north/south in a criss-cross pattern. The field was said to be illuminated, but to offer no services. The Harris Neck airfield closed to the public on 1 January 1942 when the Civil Air Patrol began anti-submarine flights. It was evidently abandoned when in 1942 the new military airfield was built a half-mile north. There is no trace of its existence today.
In mid-1942, the Army Air Force decided to build a base at Harris Neck. Construction of Harris Neck Army Airfield began on 15 July 1942 by the United States Army Air Forces First Air Force. The original plan provided for two runways. The Army's decision to add a third runway required the acquisition of additional land. A detachment of men from the 855th Guard Squadron, stationed at Hunter Army Air Field would occupy the Harris Neck facility on 7 December 1942. It was activated on 28 January 1943 as an axillary of Dale Mabry Army Airfield in Tallahassee, Florida.
In March 1943, the Army enlarged the project to provide facilities for one dive bomber squadron of 24 airplanes and an oversized fighter Replacement Training Unit of 36 aircraft. The increase necessitated enlarging the parking apron by 19,000 sq. yds. Accommodations were eventually provided for 120 officers and 400 enlisted men. Construction totaled eleven prefabricated buildings and included a 37 x 99-ft. combination theater, recreation building and chapel, a 20 x 100-ft. combination service club and exchange, and a 20 x 60-ft. office building. The three 5,400-ft. concrete runways were laid out in a perfect triangle that enclosed 15 revetments. The Livingston House, a former private residence, served as the officer's club. Since the closest town of any significance, Brunswick was 45 miles away, one might surmise that the officer's club must have gotten a lot of use. Motion pictures were shown in the post theater three nights a week.
Harris Neck AAF was used primarily for training of fighter pilots. Numerous units would rotate through for training sessions. There was a triangle shaped runway and a few support buildings. It was home to the single-seat Bell P-39 Airacobra, which was replaced during February, 1944, by the Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk.
Known units assigned to the airfield were:
- 499th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (Fighter, Replacement Training), 20 September-13 December 1943
- 500th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (Fighter, Replacement Training), 13 December 1943-1 May 1944
The typical complement of aircraft consisted of 32 P-40s and five BT-13s. In March 1944, a Noorduyn UC-64, an eight place light transport, was also assigned to the airfield. Both squadrons were assigned to the 85th Fighter-Bomber Group at Waycross AAF, Georgia.
The 86th FBG was inactivated at Waycross AAF and The 346th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter) was activated on 1 May 1944 at Harris Neck assuming its pilot training mission. Pilots receiving training were normally organized into two classes, an upper and a lower, of thirty pilots each. Synthetic training devices present included two Link trainers, two Gunairstructors, and one deflection gunnery trainer. The airfield ended its training mission and was assigned to Air Technical Service Command, becoming a sub-base of Statesboro AAF on 31 December 1944.
On 5 January 1945, the airfield was turned over to the United States Navy and remained under Navy control until 1962, as it was listed as Harris Neck OLF and as a sub-base of Glynco NAS in Brunswick, Georgia. It was, however restricted in its military use, as it was closed to all traffic except on prior approval.
In October 1946, the War Assets Administration deeded the 2,687 acres of the Harris Neck airbase to McIntosh County for use as a county airport. The venture was doomed before it even started. To successfully operate an airport, there must be a need. The fact is, Harris Neck Airfield is out in the middle of nowhere. The population of McIntosh County totaled only 5,200 in 1940. During the summer of 1949, several of the former Army buildings were discovered to have been stripped of useful equipment. Local law enforcement made several arrests.
Due to county mismanagement of the land resources, Harris Neck Airport was transferred at some point to the Federal Aviation Administration. The property was then turned over to the US Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife (forerunner of the USFWS) in 1962. That is presumably when the airfield was closed. The property was then declared a migratory bird refuge.
Today, there is very little left today to show that the area was once an airfield. Other than the overgrown runways, taxiways, revetments, munitions bunkers and the bore sighting range, the only structure that exists on the former military airfield is a lovely water fountain which must have belonged to the Livingston House. The area is very overgrown & travel is limited by 'keep out' signs.
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Shettle, M. L. (2005), Georgia's Army Airfields of World War II. ISBN 0-9643388-3-1
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
- Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975
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