Location
Lat
0° 31' 0S Long 132° 4' 0E Middleburg Island is part of the Su Islands or Soe Island Group located off the northern coast of western New Guinea. To the northwest is Amsterdam
Island (Mios Su). To the south is Sansapor (Sausapor). Prewar and during the Pacific War part of Dutch New Guinea (DNG) in the Netherlands
East Indies (NEI). Today, part of the Tambrauw Regency in West Papua Province in Indonesia.
Wartime History
Occupied by the U.S. Army and developed into an airfield operational by August 15, 1944. Beginning in August 23, 1944 PBY Catalinas from VP-11 operated from Middleburg Island with PBY Catalinas. One September
1 1944,: VP-33 moved to Middleburg Island to conduct night search
and attack missions against enemy shipping in the Netherlands East
Indies (NEI) and southern Philippine Islands.
Today
Inhabited by a few families tending coconut groves. Middleburg has the remains of jetties, pontoons and other evidence of the war.
Middleburg Airfield (Klenso, Toem)
Built by U.S. Army spans the length of Middleburg Island
References
Pub. 164 Sailing Direction (Enroute) New Guinea page 109
Contribute
Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?
Last Updated
October 23, 2019
|