Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Livingstone "34 Mile Strip"

NORTHERN TERRITORY

LIVINGSTONE via Darwin

MEMORIAL: World War II Airfield

LOCATION: Approx 52 km S of Darwin off the Western side of the Stuart Highway

DESCRIPTION: A plaque on the side of Stuart Highway. Lt. John Livingstone USAAF was killed on 4 April 1942 as he attempted to crash land his badly damaged aircraft following a fierce air battle over Darwin, he was the first American of his Squadron to die in battle over Australia.

Squadron Strength:

RAAF     77 Sqn  P40E Warhawk 9/42-2/43 457 Sqn Spitfire 2/43-1/44, 3/44-1/45 USAAF     9 Sqn 49 Pursuit Group P40E Warhawk 3/42-9/42 RAF     54 Sqn  Spitfire 1944 548 Sqn Spitfire  1944

INSCRIPTIONS:

Plaque:

                                                     WORLD WAR II AIRSTRIP

                                                            LIVINGSTONE

Initially constructed by US 808th Engineer Btn (Aviation). Later works by No.1 Airfield construction Sqn RAAF and Allied Works Council.

Known as the 34-mile strip and later named after 2nd Lt John Livingstone of 9th Pursuit Sqn, 49th Pursuit Group USAAF, killed here in a crash landing on 4 April 1942.

This roadside strip was used mainly by 9th and Headquarters Sqns, 49th Fighter Group USAAF (P40 Warhawk), No.77 Sqn RAAF (P40 Kittyhawk), No.457 Sqn RAAF (Spitfire Mk Vc and VIII), No.54 (RAF) Sqn (Spitfire Mk VIII) and No.548 (RAF) Sqn (Spitfire Mk VIII).                           

MAINTAINED BY: Northern Territory Administration

PECULIARITIES/DAMAGE: Nil

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/DATE: 15 September 2007, Northern Territory Archives, Google Earth

© Copyright JACQWILL 2007