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    Wairopi Airfield Oro Province Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Location
Wairopi Airfield was an landing ground near Wairopi. Also known as Wairopi Strip. Precise location unknown, possibly to the west of Wairopi.

Wartime History
During the morning of November 16, 1942 the Australian Army 25 Brigade reached Wairopi and crossed the Kumusi River. In the days afterwards, a landing strip runway was built at this location.

On November 21, 1942 a survey landing was attempted by CA-9 Wirraway A20-519 at Wairopi Strip. During the landing, this aircraft struck a soft patch of ground, causing it to crash land beyond the runway, hitting trees and landing on the nose and left wing. The observer was slightly wounded in the crash. It is unclear if any further landings were attempted at Wairopi Airfield.

References
Chapter 30 "Advance to Buna" page 635-636
"The squadron's first accident report was filed on 21st November when the crew of a Wirraway on reconnaissance over Wairopi, Flying Officer Saunders (pilot) and Flight Sergeant Bain (observer), were forced to make a crash landing on the Wairopi strip. The aircraft was completely wrecked but the crew escaped injury and walked to Kokoda whence they were brought back to Port Moresby.

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Last Updated
April 19, 2021

 

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