Defending the Caribbean (jun 4, 1942 – oct 12, 1945)
Description:
In early 1942, the German Navy began anti-shipping operations using U-Boats in the Caribbean. The subs sank several tankers in the harbor at San Nicolas, and shelled the Lago oil refinery in an attempt to disrupt the supply of fuel to the war effort in Europe; prompting the Government of Aruba to build a 5,100 foot long air strip for the US Army Air Corps together with a small building that served as a terminal, which was inaugurated on June 4, 1942. These facilities later became known as the “Dakota Airport”.During the period the airport served as the base of operations for the U.S. Sixth Air Force defending Caribbean shipping and the Panama Canal against German submarines, until it was disestablished after the end of the war in October 1945.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jun 4, 1942
oct 12, 1945
~ 3 years and 4 months