The Arctic Airfield That Helped Win The Second World War

In the annals of military history, the Arctic airfield of Ladd Field played a pivotal role in the Allied victory in the Second World War. Located in the desolate and unforgiving wilderness of Alaska, this airfield served as a critical hub for the ferrying of aircraft, supplies, and personnel to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program.

Remembering Bluie West One: : The Arctic Airfield That Helped Win the Second World War

by Daniel Ford

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1993 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	18 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Lend-Lease Program

The Lend-Lease Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in March 1941, authorized the United States to provide military aid to Allied nations fighting against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. This aid included everything from ships and aircraft to food and medical supplies.

One of the most important components of the Lend-Lease program was the ferrying of aircraft to the Soviet Union. The Soviets were desperate for aircraft to replace their aging fleet, which had been decimated by the German invasion in June 1941.

The Need for Arctic Airfields

The ferrying of aircraft to the Soviet Union was a daunting task. The distance from Alaska to the Soviet Union is over 5,000 miles, and the route passes over some of the most inhospitable terrain on Earth.

The only way to make the ferrying operation feasible was to build a series of airfields along the route. These airfields would provide a place for aircraft to land and refuel, and they would also serve as bases for search and rescue operations.

The Construction of Ladd Field

Ladd Field was one of the first airfields to be built as part of the Lend-Lease program. Construction began in the summer of 1941, and the airfield was completed in the spring of 1942.

Ladd Field was a massive undertaking. The airfield itself was over 1,000 acres in size, and it included a runway that was over 8,000 feet long. The airfield also included a number of hangars, barracks, and other support buildings.

The Ferrying Operation

The ferrying operation began in the spring of 1942, and it continued until the end of the war in 1945. During that time, over 8,000 aircraft were ferried from Alaska to the Soviet Union.

The ferrying operation was a dangerous one. The weather in the Arctic is often unpredictable, and the route was often plagued by fog, ice, and snow. Despite these challenges, the ferrying operation was a success, and it played a vital role in the Allied victory in the Second World War.

The Legacy of Ladd Field

Ladd Field was decommissioned in 1947, but its legacy lives on. The airfield played a critical role in the Allied victory in the Second World War, and it helped to forge a bond between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Today, Ladd Field is a National Historic Landmark. The airfield is open to the public, and it is a popular destination for tourists interested in learning about the history of the Second World War.

The Arctic airfield of Ladd Field was a vital link in the Allied supply chain during the Second World War. The ferrying operation that took place at Ladd Field played a critical role in the Allied victory, and it helped to forge a bond between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Today, Ladd Field is a National Historic Landmark that is open to the public. The airfield is a popular destination for tourists interested in learning about the history of the Second World War.

Remembering Bluie West One: : The Arctic Airfield That Helped Win the Second World War

by Daniel Ford

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1993 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	18 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE