| Officers, including members of Under Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal’s (February 15, 1892 – May 22, 1949) party, at Piva Airfield during an inspection trip in late 1943 or early 1944. Among those present are: Commodore Worrall R. Carter (January 11, 1885 – July 21, 1975) 3rd from left; Aubrey W. Fitch (June 11, 1883 – May 22, 1978), 2nd from right; and Captain John E. Gingrich (February 23, 1897 – May 26, 1960), right. The original Kodachrome color transparency was received by the Naval Photographic Science Laboratory in March 1944. Forrestal traveled to combat zones to see naval forces in action. This photo was taken soon after his entourage observed the Battle of Kwajalein in February 1944. Piva is located inland from Torokina near the western coast of Bougainville Island bordering the Piva River. 2 villages were located in this area: Piva Number 1 (to the south, closest to the coast) and Piva Number 2 (further inland). The Piva Trail ran alongside the Piva River, connecting to the East-West Trail and Numa Trail. On November 1, 1943, after United States Marines landed at Torokina, Japanese resistance was centered around Piva. On November 8, United States Marine Raiders counterattacked the Japanese at Piva. Afterwards, Japanese attempts to flank the 3rd Raider Battalion positions near Piva Number 1 failed, and the Raiders counterattacked on November 9, causing the Japanese to withdraw further inland. With the area secured, the construction of 2 airfields began. Piva North Airfield was located at Piva on western Bougainville. Also known as “Piva North Airfield,” “Piva Uncle Airfield,” “Piva One,” “Piva U” or “Piva Bomber Strip.” Prewar and during World War II, part of the “North Solomons” or “Northern Solomons” or “Bougainville Province.” On November 29, 1943, United States personnel began construction of a runway near the Piva River. By December 30, 1943, the runway at Piva North Airfield was completed. On January 9, 1944, officially opened surfaced with marston matting / Pierced Steel Planking (PSP). The main runway was roughly east to west. Another parallel runway, Piva South (Piva Yoke, Piva No. 2) was located directly to the south. Taxiways connected the 2 Piva strips together. At the height operations, the runway was 6,000 feet (1,000 meters) of marston matting, with 2,000 feet (600 meters) extension of compacted sand on the western end, but suffered drainage problems from the constant rains and soft soil. Piva North was used by Allied bombers, fighters and transports including aircraft from the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) until late 1944. During late 1944, used by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) until the end of the Pacific War in September 1945 and in the months postwar. Piva South Airfield is located at Piva on Bougainville. Located roughly 2.5 miles north-northeast of Cape Torokina. Also known as “Piva Yoke,” “Yoke Airfield,” “Piva Two,” or simply “Fighter.” Prewar and during the Pacific War, part of Kieta District in the Territory of New Guinea and considered part of the North Solomons, Northern Solomons. Piva South Airfield was 1 of 2 parallel runways built by the United States completed by December 30, 1943. The runway was oriented roughly east to west and measured 6,000 feet x 150 feet (45 meters) with 4,400 feet (1,350 meters) of the length surfaced with Marston Mat / Pierced Steel Planking (PSP) atop volcanic sand. Taxiways connected to nearby Piva North Airfield (Piva Uncle, Piva Number 1). Piva South Airfield was used primarily as a fighter strip. Used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and later the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On March 8, 1944, shortly after daybreak, Japanese artillery opened fire on Piva Airfield and destroyed 1 B-24 Liberator, 3 fighters and damaged 19 other aircraft. Before nightfall all bombers left for New Georgia area airfields, aside from 6 TBF Avengers. The bombardment also damaged 1 155 millimeter (6.1-inch) gun and several tanks. The next day, the Japanese bombarded Torokina Airfield. Today located in Torokina Rural local-level government of Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) in Papua New Guinea (PNG). During 1975, Piva became part of Bougainville Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). On June 25, 2002, Bougainville Province became the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). | |
| Image Filename | wwii1899.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.43 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5726 x 3759 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Naval Photographic Science Laboratory |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | March 1, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | Bougainville |
| Country | Solomons |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-1464 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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