Sorong

MapLat 0° 52' 60S Long 131° 15' 0E

Cape Kasuari
Named after the big casuarina trees which grow in the area, Cape Kasuari is just 2 km. from the town of Sorong. This beach has beautiful scenery and recreation facilities.

Jim Wright, The Flying Circus adds:
"One of our [380th BG] crews on a reconassance sortie dropped bombs on a village named Sorong... We were unexpectedly chastised by some upper-echelon source. It seemed that Sorong was not an 'approved' target. We figured that, unbeknownst to any of us, Allied forces had been getting some valuable intelligence covertly from a secret 'mole' in that location, well behind Japanese lines. Otherwise, why make a thing of it?"

American Missions Against Sorong
June 10, 1943 - September 24, 1944

Source: Hata /Izawa /Gorham: Japanese and Aces (book). 311 Hikotai of 153 Kokutai (A6M3-5 Zeros) was one time based at Sorong.

     Sorong Seaplane Base

Wartime History
Seaplane base created by the Dutch prior to the war. First bombed by the Japanese on December 28, 1941 killing 3 and wounding 6. Later occupied by the Japanese, it was used for the rest of the war.

Japanese Units Based at Sorong
23rd Naval Flotilla (A6M2-N Rufe) then withdrawn to Amboina

 


 

Doom Island
Map
Lat 0° 52' 60S Long 131° 13' 60E  Island located off Sorong.

 

 P-40N Kittyhawk Serial Number A29-581

 

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