Alexishafen Airbase (Site)

 military airbase, Second World War 1939-1945

Originally a small airfiled used by Dutch Missionaries, this field was taken over by the Japanese in 1943 who expanded the runway to 4,800ft x 395ft size and cut 11 bomber and 22 fighter revetments out of the surrounding jungle. With the assistance of coastwatchers, the airfield was decimated by US & Austrailian bombing raids and was liberated on April 26, 1944 by Austrailian foces. The retreating Japanese forces set dozens of booby traps around the airfield and once they were cleared the airfield was abandoned by the allies and not used for the duration of the war.

Today the site is heavily grown in and many of the wrecks left by the Japanese forces have either been scrapped or removed for preservation.

www.pacificwrecks.com/airfields/png/alexishafen/index.h...