Pre War Years 1939 – 1941

Written by: Ricardo Busquets, Borinquen Field / Ramey AFB Museum Director

By December of 1938 Nazi Germanys aggressive policies in Europe have become evident. In the United States political and military strategists are certain America would, once again, find itself involved in another world conflict

A new strategy for the defense of America is implemented. The master plan will include defensive bases outside the Continental United States. In the Caribbean military planners have recognized Puerto Rico’s strategic geographic location. The island is classified “of most vital importance”

A US Army Air Corps Aerodrome will be built on the northwest quadrant of the Island known as Punta Borinquen (Borinquen Point). Its mission: Defend the eastern approaches of the Panama Canal

The new Army Air Corps Aerodrome will be called “Borinquen Field”

The old and new Lighthouses are marked as reference

The tons of provisions arriving at San Juan are transported to Punta Borinquen by the American Railroad Line. The train also brought troops and labor forces from all over the island

Home sweet home at Punta Borinquen

 Runway construction was priority one. Hangars 3 and 2 (left to right) almost complete

“Hangar Road” looking northeast. Hangar 2 (background) and Hangar 3 (foreground)

 “Hanger Road” looking southwest. Hangar 5 under construction

All the sand used to make concrete for the Hangars was extracted from Survival Beach. The concrete base for the rail system is still present

On 27 November 1939 a B-18 “Bolo” of the 27^th Reconnaissance Squadron, 25^th Bombardment Group, became the first B-18 to arrive at Borinquen Field

 

The very begining. The “square area” seen in this image will become grounds for Hangar 5

Runway was in use even before its completion. Hangars 3 and 2 (left to right) in the background

B-18 of the 25^th Bombardment Group

 The 25^th Bombardment Group was assigned to Borinquen Field

                     10^th  Bombardment Sq                 B-18          A-17A       B-17 B/C 

           12^th  Bombardment Sq                 B-18          B-25          —–

           35^th  Bombardment Sq                 B-18          B-25          —–

            59^th  Bombardment Sq                 B-18          B-25          A-20

           27^th  Reconnaissance Sq              B-18          B-25          P-36

Extremely rare color image for the period (none colorized). B-18 is clearly visible in Pre-War “neutrality” red and white tail markings

The 36^th Pursuit Group was assigned to Borinquen Field (ca.1940)

                           22^nd  Pursuit Sq          P-36           —–         —–                         

         23^rd  Pursuit Sq           P-36            P-39        P-40     

              32^nd  Pursuit Sq           P-36           —–         —–             

  04^th   Recon Sq           O-47           O-52        —–

Que Pasa ???

Punta Borinquen’s, Village of San Antonio resident, views the new bird in the Sky

Defensive units start arriving 25th October 1939. The base assets will be protected from sea, air and land attacks

One of the four 155 mm Coast Artillery guns protecting Borinquen Field. AP Wire Photo 1940

155mm rifle gun of the 51^st Coast Artillery during gunnery practice

Eyes toward the sky. The Coast Artillery positions were defended by 3inch anti aircraft Battery’s

Good old fashion Night Vision. Anti Aircraft and Coast Artillery searchlight

Coast Artillery guns had a range of 18 miles. Positions at Borinquen Field, Aguada and Mayagüez gave the following defensive umbrella

Nazi Germany had established commercial and diplomatic footholds in South America. Raw materials were sought and sold to Germany while Nazi agents established intelligence networks

German owned SDETA LINE of Ecuador (above) and the SCADTA LINE of Colombia (below) were used for aerial reconnaissance of the Panama Canal

German owned CONDOR LINE (above) and Italian owned LATI LINE (below) operated from Brazil and Argentina. These airlines provided aerial reconnaissance of British Convoys leaving the Caribbean with raw materials and serviced axis agents throughout South America

The arrival of the FW200 “CONDOR” to South America (above) prompted the United States to pursue a show of force.  “Good Will” flights were made by the US Army Air Corps with the newest and most technological advanced long range bomber of that time, the B-17B Flying Fortress (below)

The one and only Lt. Curtis LeMay (left) and Col. Valeb Haynes (right) flew “Good Will Flights” to South America (seen here in Brazil). LeMay would run the Air Campaign over Japan and would become the “Father” of the Strategic Air Command. Haynes would become the first wartime commander of Borinquen Field (ca. 1939)

 

B-17B “Good Will” flight crew member at Borinquen Field

On 31 August 1941 a C-87 (B-24 cargo version) named “Arabian Knight” flew to Borinquen Field to begin surveying a route to Cairo. Due to their experience flying to South America Col. Haynes and by now Major LeMay would lead the mission

C-87 dubbed “Arabian Knight” arriving at Borinquen Field

As war continued to develop in Europe and the Pacific Rim the US Flag was used as “Neutrality Markings” instead of the horizontal red and white tail markings. Welcome wagon for the Arabian Knight

 

 War material being shipped to England, by “neutral” United States, was being sunk by German U-boats at an untenable rate. The weather of the established “Northern” airlift route made its use unreliable at best. The solution: airlift supplies thru the Caribbean across to Africa and then northbound to England