World War II plane found in Indonesian waters
The wreck of a plane from World War II has been found in the waters of eastern Indonesia. (July 30, 2020)
The joint dive team from the TNI, POLRI and BASARNAS as well as the community managed to find the wreckage of the plane, which was a legacy of the second world war in the waters of Tanjung Demoy, Depapre district, Jayapura Regency. The wreck of the plane was found at a depth of 22 meters and is no longer intact.
According to the dive team coordinator who is also Deputy Director, POLAIR Polda Papua, Adjunct Senior Commissioner of Police, Michael Bumbunan said the discovery of the wreckage was based on information from the local community. After receiving this information, the team immediately searched and managed to find the wreckage.
According to Bumbunan, the wreckage that was found was not intact, leaving only the right wing propeller section, aircraft wing and tail.
From a temporary search the aircraft is suspected to be a Catalina type aircraft, or an amphibious propeller type aircraft that can land on water.
In addition to the Tanjung Demoy area, the diving team also received information on aircraft debris in the Kurisi village which is not far from the Demoy village.
The team suspects that this region used to be an Allied Powers military base during WWII when the United States was attacking Japan.
The team also found an oil bunker along with an airplane runway.
From the results of coordination with the local government, the wrecks of these underwater planes will not be lifted to the surface or land with hopes that it can become a tourist and diving attraction, or a historical site.
The joint dive team from the TNI, POLRI and BASARNAS as well as the community managed to find the wreckage of the plane, which was a legacy of the second world war in the waters of Tanjung Demoy, Depapre district, Jayapura Regency. The wreck of the plane was found at a depth of 22 meters and is no longer intact.
According to the dive team coordinator who is also Deputy Director, POLAIR Polda Papua, Adjunct Senior Commissioner of Police, Michael Bumbunan said the discovery of the wreckage was based on information from the local community. After receiving this information, the team immediately searched and managed to find the wreckage.
According to Bumbunan, the wreckage that was found was not intact, leaving only the right wing propeller section, aircraft wing and tail.
From a temporary search the aircraft is suspected to be a Catalina type aircraft, or an amphibious propeller type aircraft that can land on water.
In addition to the Tanjung Demoy area, the diving team also received information on aircraft debris in the Kurisi village which is not far from the Demoy village.
The team suspects that this region used to be an Allied Powers military base during WWII when the United States was attacking Japan.
The team also found an oil bunker along with an airplane runway.
From the results of coordination with the local government, the wrecks of these underwater planes will not be lifted to the surface or land with hopes that it can become a tourist and diving attraction, or a historical site.