Corunna Downs Airfield

Corunna Downs Airfield was a secret Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base at Corunna Downs, 40 km (25 mi) south of Marble Bar, Western Australia in the Pilbara Region during World War II.[2]

Corunna Downs Airfield
Part of World War II
Pilbara Region
Near Marble Bar in Australia
Corunna Downs Airfield
location of the airbase in Western Australia
Coordinates21°26′00″S 119°46′58″E
TypeAirbase
Site information
OwnerRoyal Australian Air Force
OperatorNo. 73 Operational Base Unit RAAF[1]
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionPoor
Site history
Built1942 (1942)
In useuntil 14 January 1946 (1946-01-14)
FateAbandoned
EventsLong range missions against Japanese shipping and base facilities in the Dutch East Indies
Garrison information
OccupantsAustralian

United States

Airfield information
Runways
Direction Length and surface
NS 5,000 ft × 150 ft (1,524 m × 46 m) Dirt
EW 7,000 ft × 150 ft (2,134 m × 46 m) Dirt
Brockman's Station
LocationSalgash Corunna Downs Road, East Pilbara, Pilbara Region
Nearest cityMarble Bar
Built1942 (1942)
Built forRoyal Australian Air Force
Original useMilitary base
Current usePublic use
Designated26 May 2006 (2006-05-26)
Reference no.3695

The airfield, created especially for heavy bombers, comprised two intersecting bitumen runways, a north–south (165°) runway 5,000 ft × 150 ft (1,524 m × 46 m) and an east–west (107°) runway 7,000 ft × 150 ft (2,134 m × 46 m).[2]

No. 73 Operational Base Unit was responsible for operating the airfield during World War II.

The RAAF No. 24 Squadron, No 25 Squadron and the United States Army Air Corps 380th Bomb Group flew long range missions against Japanese shipping and base facilities in the Dutch East Indies.[2]

The base has been abandoned since World War II.

See also

References
  1. Kerr, Colin (21 January 2013). "Bombers hidden in the desert". The West Australian. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  2. "Register of Heritage Places" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
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