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| Location Samarinda II Airfield was located at Samarinda between Longiram and Melak near the river on the eastern coast of Borneo. The airfield had two parallel runways: Smarinda II (Melak East) at Lat 115° 46' 0" E Long 0° 12' 0" S and Smarinda II (Melak West) at Lat 115° 44' 0" E Long 0° 13' 0" S. Also known as simply Samarinda Airfield. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Today located in East Kalimantan Province of Indonesian Borneo in Indonesia. Construction Built by the Dutch prewar with two parallel runways as a secret military airfield for use if other airfields were disabled or occupied by the enemy. The runways were Smarinda II (Melak East) and Smarinda II (Melak West). Wartime History The KNIL Air Force at Samarinda II Airfield consisted of several Martin bombers, Buffalo fighters, Lockheed Longstars. The Samarinda II airfield commander was KNIL Air Force Major L.C.A van Dam. Defending the airfield was a KNIL garrison under command of KNIL Major G. du Rij van Beest Holle with approximately 500 men. Dutch units based at Samarinda II Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) units KNIL Infantry Company Anti-Aircraft Battery (4 x 40mm guns) Anti-Aircraft Machine-Gun Platoon (AAMG) Mobile Auxiliary First Aid Platoon Militie Detachment with 5 independent squads (approximately 75 men) Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (ML-KNIL) units Ie Vliegtuiggroep (1st Group) 1-VI.G.I (Bomber Squadron) 11 WH-3 Glenn Martin bombers, commanded by KNIL Air Force Captain W.F.H. van Rantwijk Ve Vliegtuiggroep (5th Group) I- 1.VI.G.V. (Fighter Squadron) 4 B-339D Brewster Buffalo fighters, commanded by KNIL Air Force 1st Lieutenant P.A.C. Benjamins II-1-VI.G.V (Fighter Squadron) 4 B-339D Brewster Buffalo fighters, commanded by KNIL Air Force 2nd Lieutenant J.N. Droog On January 24, 1942 Japanese aircraft discovered Samarinda II Airfield and A6M2 Zeros attacked over the next two days. Intercepted by 5 Brewster Buffalos, in which 2 Dutch Brewster Buffalos were shot down and both pilots killed. A A6M2 Zero crash landed at the airfield and the pilot survived, allowing the Dutch to inspect the aircraft. On January 28, 1942 two other Dutch Brewter Buffalos were shot down and the Dutch command agreed to evacuate this air base, but it was decided that the airfield garrison would remained at the airfield. On January 1, 1942 in the morning the first U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) B-17D Flying Fortress 40-3061 piloted by Captain Edwin B. Broadhurts landed at Samarinda II Airfield, reporting that it had enough fuel and bombs to support American heavy bomber operations against the Japanese. On January 5, 1942 USAAF B-17s stage through Samarinda during the night of January 4-5, 1942 to attack shipping in Davao Bay off Mindanao, using Dutch fuel and bombs. Japanese Usage There was no resistance when the Japanese troops occupied Samarinda II Airfield. The ground commander received orders from the AKH on Java on March 8, 1942 to capitulate the next day, and not to destroy any weapons, equipment, or the runway. On March 9, 1942 air commander flew to Samarinda to surrender the installation to the Japanese. On March 19, 1942 the Japanese arrived at Samarinda II Airfield. Afterwards, some of the Dutch attempted to continue fighting from the jungle, but they were all overwhelmed, captured and executed by the Japanese or betrayed by Dajaks natives. Afterwards, the Japanese did not use the Samarinda II airfield, leaving only a small infantry detachment to keep one landing strip clear for emergency use. Occupied by the Japanese until the end of the Pacific War in September 1945. American missions against Samarinda May 21, 1945–July 9, 1945 References Index to Air Bases - Research Report No. 85, I.G. No 9185 - July 30, 1944 Contribute
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