Location
Located at Aiyary. This small runway runs down a hill to a creek. There is another hill on the other side.
Construction
Built prewar.
Wartime History
Single runway 800 x 100 x 5400 with poor approaches (hills and trees
both at both ends with a hard dry surface, can be lengthened to 1800 yards. Facilities include radio, food and water. W.O. Brechin, automobile gas 300 gallons.
During the early stages of the war, there were several aircraft that force landed at the strip.
A Series of Crash Landings
Piloted by Lt. Feltham crashed during landing at the strip on May 16, 1942. On May 24th, three A-24s attempted to rescue the crew, but two crashed on landing. The surviving A-24 crashed the following morning on take off, killing the pilot.
The survivors repaired an abandon 1925 Spartan biplane and made a successful test flight. Jerry Pendleton arrived at Aiyura in a DH Dragon and flew Rogers out on June 18. That same day Feltham attempted to fly the Spartan to Bena Bena Airfield but crashed towards dusk, suffering two broken legs. He was found trapped in the wreckage by members of his crew and several Australians. They splinted Feltham's legs and made a litter to carry him to Bena Bena. From there Pendleton flew Feltham out and, over the next few weeks, Feltham's crew and Lt. Doan. Doan returned to Charters Towers on July 15th.
B-25C Mitchell Serial
Number 41-12478
Pilot Feltham force landed May 16, 1942
A-24 Dive Bomber
Damaged on take off on May 25, 1942
Today
The airfield is still in use today.
John Douglas adds:
"I went to the Aiyura Airstrip in 2002. No wrecks. No one who I could find had any WWII stories."
Peter Schindler recalls:
"My father fought at Milne Bay with the 25th Battalion and afterwards worked at Aiyura as chief agronomist. As children in the 1950s my brother and I spent hours playing in the bodies of the B-25 and two of the A-24s often pretending we were on missions to bomb enemy targets. It was a joy to read of the history of the these memorable old aicraft."
References
Notes about New Guinea airfields, recorded circa May - July, 1942 by Oliver C. Doan via Jean Doan research Edward Rogers
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