Kunming Airfield
Type | 68 Air Base | |
Historical Name of Location | Kunming, Yunnan, China | |
Coordinates | 24.992222000, 102.743333000 |
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
ww2dbaseThe Kunming Airfield in southern China was originally built in 1923, ordered by regional warlord Tang Jiyao. In 1937, the Central Aviation Academy was relocated from Jianqiao Airfield in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China to Kunming due to the outbreak of WW2. In 1941, it became the main base for the 1st American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers" (and later AVG's successor unit US 23rd Fighter Group, after the official US entry into the war), and as the war progressed several major US formations established headquarters at Kunming Airfield. It was also a hub for military and supply flights to and from India and Burma. Shortly after the war, the US Air Transport Command established an air route from Kunming Airfield to Clark Air Base in the Philippine Islands, which completed worldwide transport route for the ATC. Communist Chinese authorities later converted the airfield into the civilian Kunming Wujiaba International Airport, which served the region until 2012 when it was replaced by the new Kunming Changshui International Airport.
ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia
Last Major Update: May 2014
Kunming Airfield Interactive Map
Photographs
Kunming Airfield Timeline
28 Jul 1937 | The Central Aviation Academy was ordered to relocate from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China to Kunming Airfield, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. |
1 Apr 1938 | Chiang Kaishek took personal command of the Chinese Central Aviation Academy at Kunming Airfield, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, relieving Lieutenant General Chen Qingyun. |
18 Dec 1941 | The 1st and 2nd Squadrons of the American Volunteer Group was transferred to Kunming, Yunnan, China. |
23 Dec 1941 | Three CW-21 fighters crashed in poor weather while being ferried from Rangoon, Burma to Kunming, China. |
5 Feb 1945 | The first Allied supply convoy from Ledo, India to successfully cross the Burmese-Chinese border on 29 Jan 1945 arrived in Kunming Airfield, Yunnan Province, China. |
Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you. Share this article with your friends: Stay updated with WW2DB: |
Visitor Submitted Comments
18 Jan 2022 08:09:11 AM
Kunming Airfield was the scene of a tragic accident on 23 December 1947. A Belgian Short Stirling V transport registered to Air Transport carrying missionaries crashed on take-off as a result of a multiple failure of three of its four engines. Of the 30 people aboard, 25 were killed including the four crew.
11 Jul 2024 11:32:42 PM
Does anyone know of a AVG memorial at Kunming?
All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.
WW2-Era Place Name | Kunming, Yunnan, China |
Lat/Long | 24.9922, 102.7433 |
- » 1,150 biographies
- » 337 events
- » 43,914 timeline entries
- » 1,241 ships
- » 350 aircraft models
- » 207 vehicle models
- » 372 weapon models
- » 123 historical documents
- » 260 facilities
- » 470 book reviews
- » 28,529 photos
- » 432 maps
Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, at Guadalcanal
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!
Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!
18 Dec 2021 09:21:57 AM
Gus c pappas chicago 2-7-24