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    Sabang (Kota Sabang) Ache Province | Sumatra Indonesia
Location
Lat 5°53′39″N Long 95°19′9″E  Sabang is located on the northwest of Weh Island (Pulau We) in Ache Province off the northwest tip Sumatra Island bordering the Andaman Sea. Known to the Japanese as Savan. Today known as Sabang City.

Prewar
The Dutch established Sabang Naval Base at Sabang with Royal Dutch Shell oil storage facilities.

Wartime History
On March 9-10, 1942 Japanese Navy bombers from Mihoro Kokutai (Mihoro Air Group) took off from Penang and bombed Sabang. On March 10, 1942 a Japanese invasion force departs Singapore for Operation T, the invasion of northern Sumatra, On March 11, 1942 the invasion force divides into the Sabang/Idi Group. On March 12, 1942 at 1:00am the Japanese Army Imperial Guards Division Kobayashi Detachment lands unapposed.

Immediately, Port Sabang was used as a flyingboat base for Type 97 Mavis from Toko Kokutai (Toko Air Group) to begin flying reconaissance missions from Sabang and support another detachment at Port Blair.

On April 19, 1944 Operation Cockpit USS Saratoga (CV-3) and HMS Illustrious (87) launch carrier planes to strike the port of Sabang. The Japanese were caught by surprise by the new offensive and "caught with their kimonos up", and much damage was done to port facilities and oil reserves, with minimal losses. The raid was so successful that Saratoga delayed her departure in order to carry out a second strike.

Sabang Airfield (Maimun Saleh Airport)
Located at Sabang. Today known as Maimun Saleh Airport

References
Combined Fleet - Imperial Japanese Navy Submarine, Air Base and Marine Oil Terminal at Sabang, Sumatra

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Last Updated
January 28, 2024

 

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