Location
Saumlaki Seaplane Base was located in Saumlaki Bay bordering Saumlaki (Saumlakki) at the south of Yamdena Island (Jamdena) in the Tanimbar Islands (Timur Laut). Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Today located in the Western Southeast Maluku Regency in Maluku Province (Provinsi Maluku) of Indonesia.
Wartime History
At the start of the Pacific War, used by the Netherlands Naval Aviation Service Marine-Luchtvaartdienst (MLD). Used by the U.S.
Navy (USN) briefly during late January 1942 until early February 1942. On February 5, 1942 PBY-5 Catalina 2304 grounded on a coral reef and was abandoned. After February 5-6, 1942 abandoned as a Allied seaplane base.
Allied units based at Saumlaki
USN Patrol Wing 10 (PBY Catalina) operated from USS Heron (AVP-2) January 27, 1942–February 5, 1942 relieved by USS William B. Preston AVD-7 Feruary 5-6, 1942.
Afterwards, occupied by the Japanese for the remainer of the Pacific War until the offical surrender of Japan in September 1945.
PBY-5 Catalina Bureau Number 2304 Number 13
Damaged February 5, 1942 afterwards written off
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Last Updated
April 19, 2021
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