Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
    Fakfak (Fak Fak, Fak-Fak) West Papua Province Indonesia
Location
Lat 2° 55' 0S Long 132° 18' 0E  Fakfak is located inland on the southern coast of western New Guinea. Prewar, the Dutch settled Fakfak and established a town at this location. Allied wartime spelling "Fak Fak". Prewar and during the Pacific War, located in Dutch New Guinea (DNG) in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Between 1963-2007 part of Irian Jaya. Today located in Fakfak Regency in Papua Province in Indonesia.

Wartime History
On April 1, 1942 a Japanese landing force comprised of the 1st Detachment landed at Fakfak. The small Dutch KNIL garrison surrendered without offering any opposition. Afterwards, occupied by a small Japanese garrison of 67 troops from the 24th Special Base Unit. During the middle of 1943 until late 1944 attacked by American aircraft. Occupied by the Japanese until the end of the Pacific War.

American missions against Fak Fak
April 7, 1943–October 3, 1944

Fakfak Airport (Fak Fak)
Built postwar, still in use today

Fakfak Seaplane Base (Fak Fak)
Wartime seaplane base

B-24D "The Big Ass Bird II" Serial Number 42-72801
Exploded on a night mission, wreckage and remains of crew found post war

PBY-5 Catalina A24-50
Pilot Oliver MIA September 2, 1943, 10 missing

References
Pub. 164 Sailing Direction (Enroute) New Guinea page 119

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 21, 2022

 

Map
Map Fallingrain
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram