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 5th AF May 1944 |
Location Borokoe Airfield is located near Borokoe parallel to the southern coast of Biak Island. To the west is Mokmer Drome and to the east is Sorido Airfield. Border Yapen Strait (Japen Strait) to the south. Also known as Borokoe Drome or Borokoe Aerodrome. Also spelled Baroke. Today located in Biak Numfor Regency in Papua Province in Indonesia. Construction Built by the Japanese as a single runway surfaced with crushed coral. A single taxiway with revetments was built off the western edge of the runway. During March 1944, it appeared a second runway was being surveyed nearer to the beach. Wartime History Starting in late May 1944 attacked by American aircraft until early June 1944. American missions against Borokoe May 23, 1944–June 13, 1944 During late May 1944, captured by the U.S. Army 41st Division. Afterwards, the runway was repaired and expanded as a air depot area to support the Far East Air Force (FEAF) operations on Biak. American units based at Borokoe 71st TRG, 82nd TRS (P-39, P-40, F-6) Owi July 16, 1944–October 1, 1944 Morotai Veteran Norm Smith adds: We used the middle of the three airstrips [on Biak] I think we called it Baroke [Borokoe]. It was all coral and smooth as glass (particularly when it was wet). If I remember correctly, it had oil pots lit at night to outline the runway. When it rained most of them would go out but the while coral was very visible anyway. It was right next door to the strip that was used as a depot. I delivered a couple of A-20's to the depot for salvage in early '45. Biak was the only place I was present while live bombs were falling. Three Bettys flew over in formation and dropped a string of daisy cutters over the ramp and past the Officers Club. I was in the club having a beer after having landed from Finschaffen and dove into a drainage trench just outside the club. The bombs didn't do any significant damage, but I scraped the heck out of my chest on the coral in the trench. There was a field hospital near the area they talk about being a nice beach. We would go up there in the afternoon with a cooler of beer and troll for nurses. Saw a lot, but never made actual contact." Post War Today John Voss visited in 1992: Contribute
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 May 1944 |
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