Piardoba WWII Airfield Bankura
I am always fascinated by WWII and its impact on India. Unfortunately, when we think of WWII the only thing that comes to our mind is Europe but in reality, a fierce battle front existed in the east between India and Burma (Myanmar). The Japanese Imperial Army was approaching from the east towards India to cut off the supply lines from Calcutta (Kolkata) to China. So, when I was visiting Bishnupur I made sure that I check out Piardoba Airfield.
Short History of Piardoba Airfield
The US Airforce had built several Airfields around Bengal with assistance from the British forces. These were constructed to ensure protecting the east from the Japanese. The Japanese had already captured significant portions of China and were already in full control of Burma (Myanmar).
With China cut off from any military supplies the only way they could be armed and fuel sent was through a supply route starting from the ports of Calcutta to run up towards Assam crossing the Ledo Road into China. For the Japanese, this route needed to get eliminated for them to hold on to Myanmar and China.
The Japanese Imperial Airforce was making regular sorties and attacking as far as Calcutta. Significant air support needed to be present in Bengal to counter this. The British were already suffering thus they needed the help of the United States for additional air support.
A series of airfields were constructed around Bengal so that regular bombing raids could be carried out from these places. Some of the airfields also acted as air Defence stations.
One such airfield was constructed at Piardoba for the US Air Force. It is from this very airfield that one of the longest bombing raids was carried out as far as Yawata in Japan.
This airfield was also used as a designated airfield for the B29 Superfortress which back then was one of the largest and heaviest long-range bombers operated by the US Airforce. These were operated by the 462d Bombardment Group. Consisting of B-29 Squadrons 768th, 769th, 770th, and 771st; Bomb Maintenance Squadrons 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th; 13th Photo Lab and 86th Air Service Group.
Later after the departure of B-29 Squadrons, this place was occupied by 33d Fighter Group.
Post-war this airfield was handed back to British India and subsequently shut down. Even though this place is not any more functional but the land still belongs to the Ministry of Defence – Indian Airforce.
Piardoba Airfield Now
This is an abandoned airfield but still owned by the government thus there has been no encroachment as such on the main airstrip however all around the concrete runway and taxi way one can notice the open fields have been converted into agricultural land.
There are no paved roads leading to this abandoned airstrip instead it can be approached through multiple narrow unpaved mud roads. Keep in mind that during monsoon these roads can become treacherous.
It is easy to spot the airstrip as that would be the only concrete structure amongst lush green cultivated fields. Even though shrubs have sprung up from the cracks between the concrete slabs that form the airstrip the overall structure seems to have survived decades of abandonment.
Other structures around the airstrip are not visible any longer but the main taxiway is very much visible. You can drive along the straight airfield and can experience what used to be a thrilling takeoff on a bomber for a mission to Japan.
How To Visit Piardoba Airfield
This place is located very near to Bishnupur and if you are planning to visit Panchumura the terracotta horse artisan’s village then Piardoba can be covered on the way. Piardoba has its small railway station but it’s not a convenient way to visit this abandoned airfield.
I would recommend that you have your vehicle while visiting Piardoba Airfield since this place is a bit off-route from the main road. Keeping this in the mind day time is when you should target to visit this place and avoid evening time since there are no properly marked directions it’s easy to lose your sense of direction. This said mark your entry point on your mobile map app so that you can follow the same route to return.
