Saidor Airfield

Click For Enlargement
Click For Enlargement
Circa early 1944
Click For Enlargement
February 8, 1944

 

Location
Located at the coast near Saidor, near Saul Point with Dekys Bay to the east and the Bismarck Sea to the north.

American Missions Against Saidor
April 18, 1943 - March 4, 1944

Construction
Prewar airfield.

Wartime History
In middle 1942 the single runway was described as 750 x 80 x 50 yards, surfaced with sod, that could be lengthened to 1,000 yards. Good approaches (NW - SE wings). Facilities included native houses, medical supplies at Saidor mission (a forty minute walk) Austrian missionary, native foods & water. Blocked by ditches and barricades.

After the US Army landing at Saidor on January 2, 1944 capture the area, construction of a single runway running roughly ESE to WNW begins. Initial only usable by light Liaison planes, it was expanded to include extensive taxiways and revetments on the north and south side of the runway, and an apron at each edge of the runway.

At the time of construction, Saidor was the most forward airfield for Allied aircraft striking Japanese to the west. Many planes refueled or crash landed here, especially after the "Black Sunday" April 16, 1944.

Units based at Saidor
309th BW, HQ Lae March 1 - July 28, 1944 Noemfoor
340th FG, 348th FS (P-47) Finschafen March 13 - May 26, 1944 Wakde
340th FG, 342nd FS (P-47) Finschafen March 29 - May 22, 1944 Wakde
340th FG, HQ (P-47) Finschafen March 27, 1944 - ?
340th FG, 341th FS (P-47) Finschafen March 29 - May 22, 1944 Wakde
58th FG, 310th (P-47) Dobodura April 2, 1944 - Aug 30 Noemfoor
58th FG, 69th FS, HQ (P-47) Dobodura April 3 - Aug 30, 1944 Noemfoor
71st TRG, 82nd TRS (P-39) Dobodura April 5 - June 12, 1944 Biak / Owi
58th FG, 311th (P-47) Dobodura April 5, 1944 - Aug 30 Noemfoor
417th BG, HQ Dobodura April 8, 1944 - Sept 9, 1944 Noemfoor
417th BG, 675th BS (A-20) Dobodura April 9 - Sept 8, 1944 Noemfoor
417th BG, 672nd BS (A-20) Dobodura April 10 - Sept 10, 1944 Noemfoor
417th BG, 673rd BS (A-20) Dobodura April 14 - Sept 8, 1944 Noemfoor
417th BG, 674th BS (A-20) Dobodura April 14 - Sept 8, 1944 Noemfoor

Today
Still in use today for local flights.

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