Location
Soputa Airfield was located at Soputa (Saputa) near the north coast of New Guinea. Also known as "Saputa". Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the in the Northern District in the Territory of Papua. Today located in Oro Bay Rural LLG, Ijivitari District in Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Construction
Prior to development, this area had kunai grass and was an open area making it a natural drop zone. Soputa
Airfield was cleared to allow Allied planes to air drop cargo.
Wartime History
During November 1942 and December 1942
Soputa Airfield was used as a drop zone to air drop supplies including ammunition and supplies to Australian Army soldiers in the area, including multiple sorties each day at the height of the battle. On December 15, 1942 on a fourth sortie that day by Hudson from 1 OTU to air drop supplies to "Jumbora", Hudson A16-36 pilot S/Ldr William Allan "Pedro" Pedrina was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed nearby. Disused as a drop zone after the battles of Gona and Sanananda.
Today
Disused since the war. Since the early 2000, this area was replanted with oil palm.
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Last Updated
January 11, 2024
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