The nearest town is South Newport, six miles (10 km) to the west. The refuge is located in McIntosh County, Georgia, 45 miles south of the port city of Savannah. Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. The field consisted of a cross-shaped 93-acre (380,000 m2) sod parcel, with two sod runways 2,600' east/west & 2,550' north/south. Since the closest town of any significance, Brunswick was 45 miles (72 km) away, one might surmise that the officer's club must have gotten a lot of use. Black Landowners Fight to Reclaim Georgia Home. Fighter Bomber Squadron, Harris Neck Army Airfield, Georgia. It was evidently abandoned when in 1942 the new military airfield was built a half-mile north. Motion pictures were shown in the post theater three nights a week. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/. US Geological Survey aerial photo in 2006, Articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, 1942 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state), USAAF First Air Force Group Training Stations, Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Georgia (U.S. state), Buildings and structures in Georgia (U.S. state). [1] Construction was started on 15 July 1942 by the United States Army Air Forces First Air Force. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge is one of the seven refuges administered as part of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex. The area is very overgrown, access is limited by 'keep out' signs. The secret history of Harris Neck is that it once belonged to a thriving community of Geechee folk descended from freed slaves until the government, passing over thousands of uninhabited acres, seized the Neck to build an Army airfield. It is located north of the intersection of Route 131 and Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Savannah, Georgia. http://www.harrisnecklandtrust1.xbuild.com/, http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_sq_of_the_af_wwii.pdf, Current-day photos of Harris Neck Army Airfield, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Harris_Neck_Army_Air_Field?oldid=4312150, Shettle, M. L. (2005), Georgia's Army Airfields of World War II. Numerous units would rotate through for training sessions. The Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge was formerly a largely African-American settlement taken over by the Department of Defense in 1942 for use as an airfield in World War II. There are also many roads and things to see that aren't on the map. Pilots receiving training were normally organized into two classes, (an upper and a lower), of thirty pilots each. Save. Harris Neck Airfield is in the middle of nowhere. Construction totaled eleven prefabricated buildings and included a 37×99 ft combination theater, a recreation building and chapel, a 20×100 ft combination service club and exchange, and a 20×60 ft office building. That is presumably when the airfield was closed. The 86th FBG was inactivated at Waycross AAF and The 346th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter), was activated on 1 May 1944. The property was then turned over to the US Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife (forerunner of the USFWS) in 1962. This page was last edited on 30 December 2020, at 09:29. The U.S. Government filed condemnation proceedings for tracts on the north end of Harris Neck to establish an Army Airfield. Enhancement of 1944 airphoto of Harris Neck AAF, showing about 20 planes on the parking ramp, one hangar and details of 16 parking hardstands. 15(1)] During World War II, P-39 and P-40 fighter planes were common in the skies over Harris Neck when the refuge served as an U.S. Army Air Force base. During the summer of 1949, several of the former Army buildings were discovered to have been stripped of useful equipment. On 5 January 1945, the airfield was turned over to the United States Navy and remained under its control until 1962. It gave each family $27 … ISBN 0-89201-092-4. It is located located north of the intersection of Route 131 & Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia. A review of contemporary U. S. Geological Survey maps indicates that this was likely the only one ever built on site. Harris Neck NWR was established in 1962 by transfer of federal lands formerly managed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a WWII Army airfield. Harris Neck Army Air Field Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge [Fig. The land was expropriated and families were given two weeks to remove themselves. The population of McIntosh County totaled only 5,200 in 1940. Local law enforcement made several arrests. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. The refuge is closed to the public for two annual hunts in late summer and fall. The airfield ended its training mission and was assigned to Air Technical Service Command, becoming a sub-base of Statesboro AAF on 31 December 1944. A detachment of men from the 855th Guard Squadron, stationed at Hunter Army Air Field occupied the Harris Neck facility on 7 December 1942. It is now a wildlife refuge in McIntosh County. Harris Neck Road, Townsend, Ga, Savannah, GA 31331. Harris Neck Army Airfield Bunker, 1942 This structure served as the munitions bunker for Harris Neck Army Airfield. It was named "Harris Neck Intermediate Field Site #8", it was an emergency airfield for commercial and airmail planes on the Richmond-Jacksonville air route. Both squadrons were assigned to the 85th Fighter-Bomber Group at Waycross AAF, Georgia. Known units assigned to the airfield were: A typical complement of aircraft consisted of 32 P-40s and five BT-13s. Harris Neck AAF was used primarily for the training of fighter pilots. Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. The property was then turned over to the US Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife (forerunner of the USFWS) in 1962. In March 1944, a Noorduyn UC-64, was also assigned to the airfield. US Geological Survey aerial photo in 2006. Construction totaled eleven prefabricated buildings and included a 37×99 ft combination theater, a recreation building and chapel, a 20×100 ft combination service club and exchange, and a 20×60 ft office building. Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. Today, the airfield is a small but important national wildlife refuge where hawks, egrets, herons, and ducks cruise above abandoned runways. Harris Neck NWR was established in 1962 by transfer of federal lands formerly managed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a WWII Army airfield. 13(1), Fig. This included the 225-acre (0.91 km2) Livingston estate which included the Lorillard mansion and a deep-water dock. The site of Harris Neck Intermediate Field is located northwest of the intersection of Route 29 & Harris Neck Road. Local law enforcement made several arrests. Harris Neck Army Airfield, 32.7 miles (52.6 km) south-southwest of Savannah; 346th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter), Sub-base of: Dale Mabry Field, Florida Transferred to: United States Navy (1945) Now: Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge Third Air Force [edit | edit source] The property was then declared a migratory bird refuge. The sign at the old Harris Neck Army Airfield reads: On December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States was drawn into World War II, a detachment of air guardsmen from Hunter Field in Savannah took over the existing runway and support buildings at … The land was donated by Mr. H. M. Carter & the labor was performed by members of the old CAP squadron." It is located north of the intersection of Route 131 and Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia. In March 1943, the Army enlarged the project to provide facilities for one dive-bomber squadron of 24 airplanes and an oversized fighter Replacement Training Unit of 36 aircraft. The three 5,400-foot (1,600 m) concrete runways were laid out in a triangle that enclosed 15 revetments. Harris Neck has both. It was home to the single-seat Bell P-39 Airacobra, which was replaced during February, 1944, by the Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk. The refuge consists of 2,762 acres (11.18 km 2) of saltwater marsh, grassland, mixed deciduous woods, and cropland. Wildlife Drive slices through the middle of the former airbase and from your vehicle you can see the long expanses of asphalt broken by scrub and trees. The increase necessitated enlarging the parking apron by 19,000 sq yd (16,000 m2). Originally named Dickinson's Neck, the peninsula was renamed when William Thomas Harris became the principal land owner in the mid 18th century. They maintain a 4 mile paved road around the park with various historic stops (w/markers) along the route. The three 5,400-foot (1,600 m) concrete runways were laid out in a triangle that enclosed 15 revetments. It was home to the single-seat Bell P-39 Airacobra, which was replaced during February, 1944, by the Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk. Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 510: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/USA Georgia" does not exist. Excellent for biking! It was closed for military use in 1943 when the new expanded military airfield was opened a half-mile north. Address 5000 Wildlife Drive NE, Townsend, GA. See on map HoursThe refuge is open daily, sunrise to sunset. 1962 The emergency field was illuminated and included an 81 foot tall beacon tower, but offered only emergency services to pilots. Harris Neck airfield closed to the public on 1 January 1942 when the Civil Air Patrol began anti-submarine flights. The Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge (HNNWR) was established in 1962 by transfer of federal lands and the World War II Army airfield formerly managed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Since the closest town of any significance, Brunswick was 45 miles (72 km) away, one might surmise that the officer's club must have gotten a lot of use. The airfield ended its training mission and was assigned to Air Technical Service Command, becoming a sub-base of Statesboro AAF on 31 December 1944. The Army's decision to add a third runway required the acquisition of additional land. In mid-1942, the Army Air Force decided to build a base at Harris Neck. ***** ***** Second Lieutenant Bachhuber served with the 85th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 499th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Harris Neck Army Airfield, Georgia. Motion pictures were shown in the post theater three nights a week. The Visitor Contact Station is open on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-2pm and additional times seasonally. It was named "Harris Neck Intermediate Field Site #8", it was an emergency airfield for commercial planes on the Richmond-Jacksonville air route. Harris Neck Airfield is in the middle of nowhere. The field consisted of an irregularly-shaped 93-acre (380,000 m2) sod parcel, with two sod runways 2,600' east/west & 2,550' north/south in a criss-cross pattern. Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia. During the war years, this airfield was known as CAP Field, Savannah. Pilots receiving training were normally organized into two classes, (an upper and a lower), of thirty pilots each. This included the 225-acre (0.91 km2) Livingston estate which included the Lorillard mansion and a deep-water dock. Residents were given a pittance and two weeks to clear out before their homes got torched. It was restricted in its military use, as it was closed to all traffic except on prior approval. At the time of transfer the black families (who owned 1,102 acres) were given $26.90 per acre and the white families (who owned 1,532 acres) were given $37.31 per acre. It is located north of the intersection of Route 131 and Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia. The 86th FBG was inactivated at Waycross AAF and The 346th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter), was activated on 1 May 1944. The nearest town is South Newport, six miles (10 km) to the west. In 1943, Harris Neck became an auxiliary-base of Dale Mabry Field in Tallahassee and was assigned to the III Fighter Command. Harris Neck is a coastal peninsula located 30 miles (48 km) south of Savannah, Georgia in McIntosh County. The original plan provided for two runways. The loop is about 4 miles long, well paved and cars... Over the last fifteen years my wife and I have visited many NWRs, and Harris Neck is one of the best. There are three remaining brick buildings from the former airbase; all three are … Synthetic training devices present included two Link trainers, two Gunairstructors, and one deflection gunnery trainer. Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. The property was then declared a migratory bird refuge. Today, there is very little left to show that the area was once an airfield. Accommodations were eventually provided for 120 officers and 400 enlisted men. The P-40 was known as the “Kitty Hawk” and was associated with Chenault’s “Flying Tigers” in China. It is located north of the intersection of Route 131 and Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Savannah, Georgia. There is no trace of the CAA airfield existence today but its outline by property fencing on the southern boundary. But there are some remains. Black families settled in the area and built houses as well as oyster and crab processing factories.[1]. For additional information, call 912-832-4608 or visit the official website. Harris Neck AAF was used primarily for the training of fighter pilots. Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. Both squadrons were assigned to the 85th Fighter-Bomber Group at Waycross AAF, Georgia. Pilots at Harris Neck were trained on two types of fighter craft: the P-39 “Airacobra” and the P-40. It was activated on 28 January 1943 as an auxiliary of Dale Mabry Army Airfield in Tallahassee, Florida. In March 1943, the Army enlarged the project to provide facilities for one dive-bomber squadron of 24 airplanes and an oversized fighter Replacement Training Unit of 36 aircraft. Originally named Dickinson's Neck, the peninsula was renamed when William Thomas Harris became the principal land owner in the mid 18th century. There is no trace of its existence today. Former residents of the displaced community and their descendants are attempting to work out a compromise with the federal government to allow them to return to their land, without significantly disrupting the wildlife refuge.[1][2]. … The state turned the abandoned WWII airfield into a public wildlife refuge/park. Current-day photos of Harris Neck Army Airfield, First Air Force Replacement Training Stations, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harris_Neck_Army_Air_Field&oldid=997175768, 1942 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state), Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Georgia (U.S. state), Buildings and structures in McIntosh County, Georgia, 1962 disestablishments in Georgia (U.S. state), Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. It was listed as Harris Neck OLF and as a sub-base of Glynco NAS in Brunswick, Georgia. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/. Maurer, Maurer (1983). Old military airfield … In mid-1942, the Army Air Force decided to build a base at Harris Neck. It was listed as Harris Neck OLF and as a sub-base of Glynco NAS in Brunswick, Georgia. These are easily recognized from satellite and aerial imagery as well as from the ground. Moran suspects the community's relative prosperity didn't sit well with local whites and helped lead to the selection of Harris Neck for the airfield. The Army's decision to add a third runway required the acquisition of additional land. Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. Some areas of the refuge may be closed off at certain times of the year to protect nesting birds and other wildlife. Located in McIntosh County, Georgia, the refuge serves as an important link in the chain of refuges along the Atlantic seaboard, and is the inland base for two neighboring barrier island refuges, Blackbeard Island and Wolf Island … Accommodations were eventually provided for 120 officers and 400 enlisted men. The most obvious remnants are the runways and taxiways. Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. In mid-1942, the Army Air Force decided to build a base at Harris Neck. Known units assigned to the airfield were: A typical complement of aircraft consisted of 32 P-40s and five BT-13s. Numerous units would rotate through for training sessions. The nearest town is South Newport, six miles (10 km) to the west. The water fountain and pool near Thomas Landing were dependencies of Livingston House, formerly the estate of Pierre Llorilard. The site served as a gunnery training facility for World War II fighter pilots serving in Europe. During the summer of 1949, several of the former Army buildings were discovered to have been stripped of useful equipment. Easy access and ample parking, Harris Neck allows you to either drive, bike or simply walk the entire NWR. Maurer, Maurer (1983). That is presumably when the airfield was closed. 1942 July - The Federal government, via Eminent Domain, confiscates the 2687 acres of Harris Neck for the stated purpose of national security to build an Army airfield. In October 1946, the War Assets Administration deeded the 2,687 acres (10.87 km2) of the Harris Neck airbase to McIntosh County for use as a county airport. Later the government decided to build the airfield near that air strip. The increase necessitated enlarging the parking apron by 19,000 sq yd (16,000 m2). Harris Neck Site 8 airfield was secured by an army detachment from Hunter airfield in Savannah on Dec. 7, 1941 and closed to the public on 1 January 1942 when the Civil Air Patrol began anti-submarine flights. Originally named Dickinson's Neck, the peninsula was renamed when William Thomas Harris became the principal land owner in the mid 18th century. Former residents of the displaced community and their descendants are attempting to work out a compromise with the federal government to allow them to return to their land, without significantly disrupting the wildlife refuge.[1][2]. Today, remnants of cracked and vegetated mile-long asphalt runways, taxiways, munitions bunker and revetments are evidence that the area was once an airfield. It consists of 2,762 acres (11.18 km 2) of saltwater marsh, grassland, mixed deciduous woods, and cropland located on an abandoned military airfield in McIntosh County, Georgia, north of the intersection of Route 131 and Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Savannah, Georgia. 58.6 °F Now Feels Like 50.8 °F Wright Army Airfield (Fort Stewart)/Midcoast Regional Airport (24.5 miles) Relative Humidity 52% Wright Army Airfield (Fort Stewart)/Midcoast Regional Airport (24.5 miles); Rain Today 0in (0in Last Hour) Wright Army Airfield (Fort Stewart)/Midcoast Regional Airport (24.5 miles) Wind NNW 10.4mph Wright Army Airfield (Fort Stewart)/Midcoast Regional … Livingston House, a former private residence, served as the officer's club. Due to county mismanagement of the land resources, Harris Neck Airport was transferred at some point to the Federal Aviation Administration. The population of McIntosh County totaled only 5,200 in 1940. Harris Neck is a coastal peninsula located 30 miles (48 km) south of Savannah, Georgia in McIntosh County. On 5 January 1945, the airfield was turned over to the United States Navy and remained under its control until 1962. It was restricted in its military use, as it was closed to all traffic except on prior approval. It is located north of the intersection of Route 131 and Harris Neck Airport Road, about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Savannah, Georgia. He was killed piloting P-39Q Airacobra #42-20793, in a mid-air collision and crash at the Townsend Bombing and Gunnery Range, Georgia. The venture was doomed before it even started. Harris Neck NWR was established in 1962 by transfer of federal lands formerly managed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a WWII Army airfield. Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Synthetic training devices present included two Link trainers, two Gunairstructors, and one deflection gunnery trainer. The original Harris Neck airfield was built in 1930 and leased from Courtney Thorpe by the US Dept. Harris Neck is a coastal peninsula located 30 miles (48 km) south of Savannah, Georgia in McIntosh County. ISBN 0-9643388-3-1. Shettle, M. L. (2005), Georgia's Army Airfields of World War II. Due to county mismanagement of the land resources, Harris Neck Airport was transferred at some point to the Federal Aviation Administration. The venture was doomed before it even started. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. The original plan provided for two runways. After the war, the War Assets Administration transferred 2,686.94 acres to McIntosh County. Livingston House, a former private residence, served as the officer's club. Black Landowners Fight to Reclaim Georgia Home. The land was deeded to a former slave in 1865 by a plantation owner. It was activated on 28 January 1943 as an auxiliary of Dale Mabry Army Airfield in Tallahassee, Florida. At the time of transfer the black families (who owned 1,102 acres) were given an average of $26.90 per acre and the white families (who owned 1,532 acres) were given an average of $37.31 per acre. In March 1944, a Noorduyn UC-64, was also assigned to the airfield. The planes and the people are gone, as are most of the buildings. To successfully operate an airport, there must be a need. The people are given three weeks to move off their land. This abandoned airfield is located on an island along the Atlantic coast, barely a few feet above sea level. of Commerce. Blackbeard Island NWR Bond Swamp NWR Chattahoochee National Forest Cumberland Island NS Eufaula NWR Fort Gordon Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield Harris Neck … The field was said to be illuminated, but to offer no services. Located in McIntosh County, Georgia, the refuge serves as an important link in the chain of refuges along the Atlantic seaboard, and is the inland base for two neighboring barrier island refuges, Blackbeard Island … Abandoned Harris Neck Army Airfield This is a neat place to explore for a few hours. Harris Neck Army Air Field. Other than the overgrown runways, taxiways, revetments, munitions bunkers and the bore sighting range, the only structure that still exists on the former military airfield is a water fountain which must have belonged to Livingston House. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1962 by transfer of federal lands formerly managed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a WWII Army airfield. The land was expropriated and families were given two weeks to remove themselves. Review Highlights “Wonderful drive threw nature preserve! Harris Neck NWR was established in 1962 by transfer of federal lands formerly managed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a WWII Army airfield. Earthworks surround three sides. In October 1946, the War Assets Administration deeded the 2,687 acres (10.87 km2) of the Harris Neck airbase to McIntosh County for use as a county airport. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1962. During World War II, the federal government needed Harris Neck for an airstrip to protect the U.S. coast from U-boats. Robert Wilson recalled, “I learned to fly at this airport. _____ Harris Neck Army Airfield, Harris Neck, GA. 31.64, -81.27 (South of Savannah) A 1942 Army map of Harris Neck AAF. The sign at the old Harris Neck Army Airfield reads: On December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States was drawn into World War II, a detachment of air guardsmen from Hunter Field in Savannah took over the existing runway and support buildings at … It never had 5 runways. I haven't visited it yet but plan to. [1] Construction was started on 15 July 1942 by the United States Army Air Forces First Air Force. Harris Neck Army Airfield | airport, abandoned / shut down / defunct, wildlife protection USA / Georgia / Riceboro / The original Harris Neck airfield was built sometime between 1929-32. The first air strip was an emergency landing field for commercial airlines built around 1930. A detachment of men from the 855th Guard Squadron, stationed at Hunter Army Air Field occupied the Harris Neck facility on 7 December 1942. To successfully operate an airport, there must be a need.