General MacArthur Base Location
Morotai.
Morotai.
Construction
Single airstrip built by Americans on the coastline. It was the first airfield built on the island, construction began in mid September 1944. Also, Australians from NO. 14 Airfield Construction Squadron arrived September 18, 1944.
Single airstrip built by Americans on the coastline. It was the first airfield built on the island, construction began in mid September 1944. Also, Australians from NO. 14 Airfield Construction Squadron arrived September 18, 1944.
American Usage
Pilots remembered the base for its strong winds, which took their toll of aircraft that approached too slowly. Quickly, it was crammed with both American 5th and 13th Air Force fighters and bombers, and RAAF aircraft as it became the most forward base in the area. It became one of the largest (RAAF) spitfire fighter bases in the world. At the later stage of the war, the Allied had more planes than they ! needed, so damaged ones were abandoned due to lack of repair facilities or motivation to repair them were abandoned at Morotai.
Pilots remembered the base for its strong winds, which took their toll of aircraft that approached too slowly. Quickly, it was crammed with both American 5th and 13th Air Force fighters and bombers, and RAAF aircraft as it became the most forward base in the area. It became one of the largest (RAAF) spitfire fighter bases in the world. At the later stage of the war, the Allied had more planes than they ! needed, so damaged ones were abandoned due to lack of repair facilities or motivation to repair them were abandoned at Morotai.
Japanese Air Raids Against Moratai
The Japanese made a total of 82 air raids against the strips at Moratai, from September 15, 1944 to February 1, 1945. reaching a peak in November 1944 with a raid every day. Tokyo radio dubbed Morotai “graveyard of the 13th Air Force”. In reality, most were nuance raids, but some had disastrous effects. November 22/23, 1944 - 9 Japanese planes destroyed 15 parked planes and damage 8.
The Japanese made a total of 82 air raids against the strips at Moratai, from September 15, 1944 to February 1, 1945. reaching a peak in November 1944 with a raid every day. Tokyo radio dubbed Morotai “graveyard of the 13th Air Force”. In reality, most were nuance raids, but some had disastrous effects. November 22/23, 1944 - 9 Japanese planes destroyed 15 parked planes and damage 8.
Units Based at Wama
35th FG HQ (September 27, 1944 - ?
35th FG, 41st FS (P-47) from Owi Oct 17, 1944 - Jan 21, 45 to Mangaldan
35th FG HQ (September 27, 1944 - ?
35th FG, 41st FS (P-47) from Owi Oct 17, 1944 - Jan 21, 45 to Mangaldan
Dena “Thumper” Huitt, 41st FS adds:
“We lost several planes by Japanese bombing raids at Morotai. There were only about two nights during November that we didn’t have a red alert. Lots of foxhole time! One night a bomb landed in a foxhole in the enlisted men’s are and killed four of our men.”
“We lost several planes by Japanese bombing raids at Morotai. There were only about two nights during November that we didn’t have a red alert. Lots of foxhole time! One night a bomb landed in a foxhole in the enlisted men’s are and killed four of our men.”
Richard Debaugh, 41st FS adds:
“We took off many times configured with three external fuel tanks, a 150 gallon tank under each wing and a belly tank of 100 gallons.”
“We took off many times configured with three external fuel tanks, a 150 gallon tank under each wing and a belly tank of 100 gallons.”
Robert Brewer, 41st FS adds:
“There were! times w hen we had 3 external tanks for a long mission when we used the bomber strip and used water injection to get airborne.”
“There were! times w hen we had 3 external tanks for a long mission when we used the bomber strip and used water injection to get airborne.”
Peter Flahavin adds:
“My Dad was stationed there in Aust Army signals from March to September 1945 and vividly remembers all the air activity. To amuse themselves they used to cut up fighter belly tanks and turn them into fishing boats or yachts of the Morotai Yacht club. The Japanese were 25 miles away on Halmahera so you had to watch the currents.”
“My Dad was stationed there in Aust Army signals from March to September 1945 and vividly remembers all the air activity. To amuse themselves they used to cut up fighter belly tanks and turn them into fishing boats or yachts of the Morotai Yacht club. The Japanese were 25 miles away on Halmahera so you had to watch the currents.”
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Today
The only aircraft now at Morotai is a wrecked Harvard at the airport (which is off limits to tourists).
The only aircraft now at Morotai is a wrecked Harvard at the airport (which is off limits to tourists).
Robert Dunn visited in 1997:
“I visited Moratai: Wama Strip and Pitue Strip. The locals showed us around we found a pile of Australian broken beer bottles next to Wama . The hot mix is still ok on Pitue.”
“I visited Moratai: Wama Strip and Pitue Strip. The locals showed us around we found a pile of Australian broken beer bottles next to Wama . The hot mix is still ok on Pitue.”
