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 Laessig 1944   USAAF 1944 |
Location Lat 0° 25' 11S Long 132° 11' 19E Sansapor Airfield (Mar Drome) is located at an elevation of 35' above sea level on the north coast of western New Guinea. Also known as Mar Drome for Mar to the west. Also known as Sansapor for Sansapor further to the west. Offshore to the north is Middleburg Island in the Su Islands (Soe Islands). 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 Tambrauw Regency in West Papua Province in Indonesia. Construction On July 30, 1944 U.S. Army landed at Mar occupying the area. Immediately, 1896th Engineer Aviation Battalion worked 24 hours a day to clear the jungle, drain swamps and build a single coral surfaced runway sealed with asphalt with marston matting (PSP) at the center oriented parallel to the coast with taxiways and revetments on the southern inshore side. The airfield was operational by middle August 1943 and fully completed by Septembe 3, 1944. Wartime History Starting in the middle of August 1944, used by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), Far East Air Force (FEAF) fighters and later reconassiance and medium bombers. Designated U.S. Army Post Office 159 (APO 159). American units based at Sansapor (Mar) 18th FG, HQ Hollandia arrives Nov 8, 1944 returns Jan 10, 1945–January 13, 1945 departs Lingayen 18th FG, 12th FS (P-38s) Fighter 2 arrives Aug 23, 1944 (Wama det Nov 8, 1944–Jan 10, 1945)–Jan 13, 1945departs Lingayen 18th FS, 70th FS (P-38) August 23, 1944–Jan 19, 1945 departs Lingayen 18th FS, 12th FS (P-38) August 23, 1944–Jan 13, 1945 departs Lingayen 347th FG, 339th FS (P-38) Stirling August 15, 1944–Sept 19, 1944 departs Middleburg 347th FG HQ - Sept 19, 1944 departs Middleburg 4th PRG, 17th PRS (F-5 det) Fighter 2 October 13, 1944–November 5, 1944 departs Morotai 13th Fighter Command HQ Guadalcanal November 13, 44–January 10, 45 departs Lingayen 86th FW, HQ Middleburg arrives August 19, 44–January 16, 45 departs Lingayen 18th FG, 12th FS (P-38) August 23, 1944 42nd BG, 75th BS (B-25) Hollandia arrives September 20, 1944–February 23, 45 departs Morotai 42nd BG, 100th BS (B-25) Stirling arrives Aug 24, 1944 / Hollandia arrives Sept 14, 1944–Feb 22, 1945 departs Morotai returns Mar 15, 1945 departs Puerto Princesa 42nd BG, 69th BS (B-25) Hollandia arrives Sept 14, 1944–March 12, 1945 departs Puerto Princesa 42nd BG, 70th BS (B-25) Hollandia Sept 14, 44–March 12, 45 departs Puerto Princesa 42nd BG HQ Hollandia arrives Sept 16, 44–Feb 22, 45 departs Morotai 42nd BG, 75th BS (B-25) Hollandia arrives September 20, 1944–March 22, 45 departs Puerto Princesa 42nd BG, 390th BS (B-25) Feb 24, 45 departs Morotai Today Still in use today as Mar Airport. Also known as Werur Airport or Bandar Udara Werur. Airport code: ICAO: WAJY. References Bulldozing the Way: New Guinea to Japan AWM No. 15 Squadron Aitape-Wewak Campaign "[May 1945–July 1945] Bombing and strafing attacks were made on Sansapor." Contribute
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