Danip
Madang
The Japanese had just completed an expansion
of a small missionary airstrip into a fighter base when
the area was recaptured by the Australians. Locals describe
how the airstrip was completed, but no aircraft flew from
this strip, a satelite to Alexishafen.
The runway was still clearly visible, and
many paths and small tracks were formerly taxiways and service
roads for the Japanese. The area is also potmarked with
bomb craters.
Around the runway, there were engines and
bits of wreckage of at least several twin engine aircraft,
probably Ki 48 Lilys.
Further away, there is the wreck of Ki
48 Lily 484 that crashed landed in a gully. The tail
is missing from
just behind the rear gunner's position. Unlike other wrecks
in the area, it was not the victim of scrapping like
more
accessible bomber at Alexishafen.
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