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    Middleburg Airfield (Klenso, Toem) Irian Jaya Indonesia

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August 12, 1944
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1944

Location
Located on Middleburg Island, to the north of Sansapor on the coast of New Guinea.

Construction
Built by the Americans as a fighter airstrip, it became operational on August 15, 1944.

American Units Based at Middleburg
198th Anti-Aircraft C-Battery 1944
347th FG 67th FS (P-38) Russell Aug 15, 44 - Feb 12, 45 Morotai

George T. Reed recalls:
"I was in the 5th Army Airways Communications System (AACS), under Col. Nichols HQ Brisbane, and was "sent" up to Sansapor. I was on the island the moment the first plane landed. I think it was a P-38. We had a few raids when the moon was full. Zero's and Bettys. I positively remember the construction of the landing strip and when the first plane landed. All was quiet until about October 1944 when the first Japs came over. I would like to communicate with any one who was on Sansapor or Middleburg. I was NCOIC (T/SGT) in charge of 33 men with mission to establish AACS radio station on the island. I was operating the station one night when the shrapnel went through the radio shack. This was on the south side of the runway!"

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

 

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