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  RAAF July 22, 1944 |
Location 8° 15' 22S 130° 50' 31E Selaru Airfield was located at 20' above sea level the west of Lingar (Lingat) on Selaru Island (Selaroe) in the Tanimbar Island Group (Tanimbar Islands). During World War II, known to the Allies as Selaroe Airfield or Lingat Airfield. Prewar and during the Pacific War, located in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Today located in Maluku Province (Provinsi Maluku) in Indonesia. Construction Built by the Japanese as a forward airfield with a single runway parallel to the coastline. Wartime History Used by the Japanese as a forward airfield during 1943-1944. Starting in early July 1943 attacked by Allied bombers and fighters to neutralize the runway until late July 1944. On July 22, 1944 RAAF No. 31 Squadron Beaufighters including Beaufighter A19-184 strafed Selaru Airfield including a Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) Ki-49 Helen parked on the runway a photograph taken rearward shows the crew members running away and the bomber burning after the attack. Afterwards, other strike photographs show smoke rising from the airfield area and fires caused on the ground. Selaru Airfield remained occupied by the Japanese until the end of the Pacific War. On July 22, 1944 at 7:20am two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 31 Squadron Beaufighters strafed the runway area low level including Beaufighter A19-189 pilot S/Ldr Boyd and Beaufighter A19-184 pilot F/O Bullen with Beaufighter A19-159 pilot F/L Archer arriving later and not strafing. Over the runway at 7:20am, Boyd observed 15-20 Japanese personnel standing on the runway that were strafed. At the western end of the runway facing east ready for take off was a twin engine aircraft identified a Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) Ki-57 Topsy that was strafed, set on fire and destroyed. At least six personnel were killed and the rest ran for cover. Also two trucks were observed at the southern end of the runway and large grass fires in the vicinity. Over the target heavy and light anti-aircraft fire that was moderate and accurate was reported. Excellent photographs were taken of aircraft under attack and fires burning afterwards. Allied missions against Selaru (Lingat) July 12, 1943–July 22, 1944 Today Used postwar as Selaru Airstrip. Disused as an airfield and abandoned. References Index to Air Bases - Research Report No. 85, I.G. No 9185 - July 30, 1944 (Selaroe (Lingat) Contribute
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