Sahmaw is a town in Kachin State, Myanmar.[1]

Sahmaw Airfield
Part of Tenth Air Force
Sahmaw, Burma
Sahmaw Airfield is located in Myanmar
Sahmaw Airfield
Sahmaw Airfield
Coordinates25°13′37″N 096°47′39″E / 25.22694°N 96.79417°E / 25.22694; 96.79417 (Approximate)
TypeMilitary airfield
Site information
Controlled byUnited States Army Air Forces
Site history
Built1944
In use1944-1945
Battles/warsBurma Campaign 1944-1945

Second World War

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During the Burma Campaign 1944-1945 in the Second World War, Sahmaw was the site of a United States Army Air Forces airfield, now abandoned.

The airfield was a temporary combat airfield used by the 33d Fighter Group between 26 December 1944 and 4 May 1945, flying P-47 Thunderbolts and P-38 Lightnings. It was also used by the 71st Liaison Squadron, between 15 October and 16 January 1945, flying L-4 Piper Cubs and UC-64A Norseman light aircraft.

After the Americans moved out, the airfield was abandoned and was returned to agricultural use.[citation needed]

Sahmaw was a part of the Jeep Railway, a system of trains consisting of jeeps fitted with railway wheels and running on tracks, organized by the 36th Infantry Division of the British Army during the Burma Campaign.[2]

References

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  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4
  • www.pacificwrecks.com - Sahmaw keyword search
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