In all there were over a dozen WWII airfields in the Top End and many of them were at occasions used by the Dutch. Sometimes their planes were directed to these fields because of congestion or weather. Sometimes planes were more or less running out of fuel on their way back from Java and just tried to land wherever they could. At other times they went on missions with other squadrons and started or ended their operation at other airfields.
At Pell Airfield the Dutch also used its facilities for maintenance work. Another airfield used for maintenance was Gould Airfield .
Pell is located southeast of Batchelor Airfield , the main base for the 18 NEI Squadron RAAF, near the Stuart Highway close to the locality of Adelaide River.
The picture below shows that Pell Airfield was used when one of the bombers of the 18 Squadron crashed. A few exciting moments were experienced when the B25 landed with his undercarriage partially down on February 9, 1945. The pilot made a splendid approach and a remarkably good landing, with only slight damage to the aircraft and no injuries of any description to the crew.
The picture below shows that Pell Airfield was used when one of the bombers of the 18 Squadron crashed. A few exciting moments were experienced when the B25 landed with his undercarriage partially down on February 9, 1945. The pilot made a splendid approach and a remarkably good landing, with only slight damage to the aircraft and no injuries of any description to the crew. See: OZatWar
