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Morotai Synopsis....

Posted by Tony on Mon Dec 17, 2001 02:07:21 PM

In reply top Re: More on Morotai....... posted by Tony on Mon Dec 17, 2001 01:09:41 PM

So, it looks like this.

Scrap aircraft, were collected from DARUBA and shipped to the Krakatoa Steel Mills in Java, where they were turned into Pots and Pans. This story, appears to have originated from very few sources, but has become the definitive statement as regards the region, see http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/irian_moratai.html

However, travel writers, are still reporting aircraft wrecks in the region.

Peter Flahvin, reports that there were only 2 airfields on the island. Guama and Peto.

Wrong

There were at least 4. Guama, Petoe - North AND South and Petoe West, a Japanese airfield, that was declared unusable, as the jungle was already encroaching rapidly on it, therefore it was simply abandoned, as were the resident japanese aircraft.
There have already been photos shown, as to the extent of the scrapping and dumping of aircraft on Morotai, as well as the large number of sites involved.

In one photo i posted, the jungle, was rapidly taking over the dump site.

So, in essecnce, i think , that what Krakatoa Iron and steel got, was the most easily accessible aircraft.

So, and till someone can show me otherwise, there are still substantial numbers of aircraft wrecks on Morotai..

Tony





: Morotai Island
: Morotai Island, lying to the north of Halmahera, was an im
: portant air-base during world War II, first for the Allies
: and later for the Japanese until its recapture near the e
: nd of the war. The ghosts of war still linger in this area
: , where many wrecks of aircraft and rusting guns lie aband
: oned in the bushes.
:
:
: The coral reefs here are not easily forgotten. Wayabula, B
: erebere, Busus-busu, Sangowo and Daruba are villages on th
: e beach.
:
:
: http://www.pantravel.net/explore/17647
:
:

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