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 31 Sqn Feb 27, 1943  Morris Sept 16, 1945  Davis October 2, 1945  Davis November 8, 1945 |
Location 10° 10' 18S 123° 40' 16E Poeloeti Airfield is located near Poeloeti in the southwest of West Timor (Timor Barat) on Timor Island in East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur) in Indonesia. Known to the Allies as "Penfui" other spellings include Penfoei, Poeloeti, Pulutih, Poeloeti, Poeloetih and Puluti. Prewar and during World War II part of Dutch Timor in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). In 1949 after Indonesia independence, the western half became known as Indonesian Timor. Today known as El Tari Airport in East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur) in Indonesia. Construction Built prewar as a single runway. Wartime History At the start of the Pacific War, used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a military airfield. Starting in 1941 used as the headquarters of the 2/40th Battalion until they evacuated the area in late January 1942. Afterwards, occupied by the Japanese and used by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) bombers and fighters. as a forward airfield for missions against targets in Australia including Darwin and Drysdale. Allied missions against Poeloeti Airfield (Penfui) December 2, 1944–August 2, 1944 Postwar During September 1945, Poeloeti Airfield was occupied by "TIMFORCE" that established their headquarters at the airfield. The Australians captured a 7.2mm anti-aircraft gun, damaged hangars and buildings, operation post and radar intact. The bomb damaged runway was repaired for use by Allied aircraft as a transit point for flights to Australia. On October 2, 1945 while landing, Ki-21 Sally transporting Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Lt. General Yamada Commanding Officer (C. O.) of the 48th Division suffered a right undercarriage collapsed and was damaged but none of the crew or passengers were injured. The next day, Lt. General Yamada surrendered at Poeloeti. Today Still in use today as El Tari Airport as a dual military and civilian airport. The airport has two runways: The first is oriented 5/07 and measures 8,202' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. The second runway is oriented 30/12 and measures 4,175' x 210' surfaced with graded earth. Airport codes: ICAO: WATT IATA: KOE. Lockheed Hudson A16-79 Pilot Cuming crashed January 20, 1942 Ki-21 Sally October 2, 1945 right undercarriage collapsed while landing with Lt. General Yamada aboard unhurt Contribute
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