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Fenton Airfield
| Source: |
Go to the Register of the National Estate for more information. |
| Identifier: |
49 |
| Location: |
Douglas Hot Springs Rd, Hayes Creek |
Local
Government: |
Unicorporated NT |
| State: |
NT |
| Country: |
Australia |
Statement of
Significance: |
Fenton Airfield, dating from 1942-45, is one of the largest surviving World War Two air force installations in northern Australia, and it played a significant role in the air war against Japan, especially in the use of heavy bombers.
Used by large numbers of American aircraft during the war, Fenton also has associations with Australia's crucial alliance with the United States (Criterion A.4).
The site, containing a wide range of elements of a wartime airfield, has considerable potential for interpretation of aspects of the events of World War Two in Australia (Criterion C.2). |
| Description: |
Fenton Airfield comprises a range of features.
There is the bitumen surfaced airstrip approximately 50m wide and 2,200m long and taxiways and roadways connecting about sixty aircraft dispersal bays, some with earthen revetments. The remnants of the control tower remain and there is a collection of items of aircraft wreckage including those found in the aircraft salvage area.
Scattered building foundations from the large camp and mess area survive and there are numerous arrangements of 44 gallon (200 litre) drums which, filled with earth, formed antiaircraft gun positions.
The site is one of the largest wartime air force installations in northern Australia.
The site for this facility was selected in about April 1942 and is named after Doc Fenton (a flying doctor) who recommended the site.
Construction began immediately, and in July 1942 the first American operational units arrived flying B-17 Fortress aircraft.
In January 1943 reconnaissance and long range bombing missions began from Fenton after further American units flying B-24 Liberators arrived. Australian support units (radar and antiaircraft) arrived in March 1943. Several times during 1943 Fenton was bombed by Japanese aircraft.
In 1944 installations were built to receive fuel pumped from the Brock's Creek Railway Station.
Australian operational units moved into Fenton as the Americans withdrew from mid 1944, again flying Liberators and continuing the long range bombing missions begun by the Americans.
Japanese targets of the Fenton missions through the war included Timor, the Celebes, the Moluccas and Balikpapan.
All units had left by late 1945, and the facility has been disused since.
SIGNIFICANT ASSOCIATIONS; SIGNIFICANT DATES
1942-45. |
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