Raid on Choiseul

Last updated
Raid on Choiseul
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
ChoiseulMap.jpg
A map of the raid on Choiseul
DateOctober 28 – November 3, 1943
Location
6°53′S156°37′E / 6.883°S 156.617°E / -6.883; 156.617 Choiseul in the Solomon Islands
Result Indecisive
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Victor H. Krulak War flag of the Imperial Japanese Army (1868-1945).svg Minoru Sasaki
Strength
656–725 3,000–7,000
Casualties and losses
11–13 killed,
15 wounded
143 killed,
two barges sunk

The Raid on Choiseul (Operation Blissful) was a small unit engagement that occurred from 28 October to 3 November 1943, during the Solomon Islands campaign of the Pacific War. The raid was launched to divert the Japanese from the Allied landings at Cape Torokina on Bougainville Island.

Contents

United States Marines from the 2nd Parachute Battalion landed on Japanese-occupied Choiseul in the northern Solomon Islands and carried out raids on Japanese army and navy forces over a 25-mile (40 km) area over the course of seven days with the assistance of local Choiseul islanders and an Australian coastwatchers. The force was withdrawn back to Vella Lavella by landing craft following the successful lodgment of US troops on Bougainville.

Background

Choiseul Island is located about 45 miles (72 km) southeast of Bougainville Island and northwest of Santa Isabel. Approximately 75 miles (121 km) in length, the island varies in width, up to 25 miles (40 km) at its broadest point. At the time of the battle the island's local population consisted of around 5,000 Melanesians, who were located mainly along the coast. Prior to the war the island had been administered by the Australian government, and in the early part of the war, the island had been captured by the Japanese. Local support largely favored the Allies, and two coastwatchers—Charles J. Waddell and Sub-Lieutenant Carden Seton—had operated on the island to gather information about Japanese shipping and troop movements in support of the Guadalcanal campaign. [1]

Following the conclusion of the fighting on Guadalcanal and the Allied capture of the New Georgia islands, the Allies began preparations to advance north towards Bougainville. To support this, a series of diversionary actions were planned in the Treasury Islands and on Choiseul. [1]

Allied staff from Lieutenant General Alexander Vandegrift's I Marine Amphibious Corps had initially considered Choiseul for their main attack in the northern Solomons, but eventually this had shifted towards the west coast of Bougainville. After this, operations on Choiseul were recast to divert Japanese attention from the planned landings at Cape Torokina, inside Empress Augusta Bay. [2] The Allies hoped that the raid would cause the Japanese to believe the landings would be on the east side of Bougainville. [3]

Choiseul within the Solomon Islands campaign Solomon Islands Campaign.jpg
Choiseul within the Solomon Islands campaign

During September 1943, several reconnaissance patrols were sent to Choiseul by the Allies including New Zealanders and US Marines and US Navy personnel. These patrols operated over several days in the southwestern part of the island and in the north to gather intelligence on Japanese dispositions, force concentrations, and patrol activity. They also contacted coastwatchers on the island and sought to locate suitable sites for airfields and beaches capable of supporting landing operations. [1] [2] Reconnaissance confirmed that the terrain was unsuited to dropping troops by air and that instead an amphibious operation was necessary. [4] Coral reefs prevented landing in most locations, with Voza, an abandoned village south of Choiseul Bay and north of Vagara, judged the most suitable. In many areas the beaches were narrow, giving way to thick jungle that was considered impenetrable, while in other locations the coast consisted of cliffs exposed to the sea. Thick jungle and rugged mountainous terrain dominated the interior of the island and made movement across the island difficult; as a result Allied planners chose to limit the size of the raiding force to a single battalion. [1] [2]

Throughout early October, information from Seton confirmed that the Japanese were using Choiseul as a staging base for troops withdrawing from the central Solomons and New Georgia towards Bougainville, estimating that there were around 3,000 Japanese troops in several dispersed locations between Choiseul Bay and Sangigai. They were reported to be demoralized and short on rations. On October 22, Allied planning staff confirmed the operation, assigning it the designation of Operation Blissful; tactical commanders were summoned to Guadalcanal for initial briefing and then returned to Vella Levalla by air to commence planning the raid. [5]

Raid

The raid involved 656–725 men from the US 2nd Parachute Battalion, [6] led by Lieutenant Colonel Victor Krulak. On 27 October at Vella Levalla, the attacking force embarked on eight LCM landing craft before being transferred to four high speed transports McKean , Crosby , Kilty , and Ward —that had just been released from supporting the landing of New Zealand troops on the Treasury Islands. [7] Japanese troops on the island numbered between 3,000 and 7,000 and were under the command of Major General Minoru Sasaki. [8] The majority of these troops were based around Kakasa and around Choiseul Bay where a small harbor was maintained for several barges. [9] Escorted by the destroyer USS Conway, the convoy carrying the US raiding party proceeded through the night towards Choiseul; en route it was attacked by a single Japanese aircraft, with near miss being scored on one of the transport ships. Just prior to midnight, the convoy reached the assembly area about 2,000 yards (1,800 m) offshore of the chosen landing site at Voza, on the northwest side of the island. An advance reconnaissance party was sent ashore in rubber dinghies, and then Companies F and G led the Marines ashore. They landed unopposed early on 28 October. [1] During the landing, Conway was attacked by a Japanese aircraft with several bombs. These bombs missed, and the destroyer held its fire so that it would not draw attention to the landing operations. [10]

After a beachhead was established, the landing craft began ferrying supplies and equipment ashore, and with the assistance of around 80 local porters organized by Seton who had landed with the Marines, Krulak's battalion established a strong base on a plateau 1,000 yards (910 m) to the west of Voza, with radio communications and early warning outposts established to the north and south. [10] From there Krulak intended to carry out raids across a broad front to simulate a larger force, with actions around Sangigai and in the western part of the island as far as Nukiki and the Warrior River across an area spanning approximately 25 miles (40 km). [7] [11] Shortly after arrival, as part of the deception plan, Krulak sent an uncoded radio message that he had landed a force of 20,000 on the island and was about to commence operations. [4] Within two hours the stores had been unloaded and the APDs and destroyer escort had departed the area for the return journey to Vella Levalla. Four LCVP landing craft and their naval crews were detached at this time, detailed to support the Marines to move up and down the coast. Japanese aircraft attacked the landing beach shortly after the Marines came ashore and then again later in the day and in the evening, including an attack on Zinoa Island, where the Marines had hidden their landing craft. These attacks proved ineffective as the Marines had quickly dispersed their equipment. Efforts were also made to disguise the beachhead, and a dummy site was constructed further north to divert Japanese attention. [12]

Fighting around Sangigai on October 30, 1943 Sangigai Raid map.jpg
Fighting around Sangigai on October 30, 1943

Throughout the afternoon of 28 October, Krulak sent a patrol to scout a base for PT boats along the western seacoast. Meanwhile, Seton's local intelligence network also sent out patrols to identify the nearest Japanese defensive positions, determining that the main concentration was around Sangigai, with another smaller group 30 miles (48 km) northwest. [4] On 29 October reconnaissance patrols were sent to the north and south to gather information on Japanese dispositions, defenses and avenues of approach and to make field sketches of important locations; other patrols, with attached Army and Navy specialists, reconnoitered Moli Point and various other locations to determine their suitability as PT boat bases or as locations for radar stations. [4] One of the patrols attacked and killed seven Japanese and sunk a barge during a patrol towards the Vagara River near Sangigai. [13] Later, a blocking force was sent to Vagara where it clashed with a platoon of Japanese. In response, Krulak determined that he would launch an attack on the main Japanese position at Sangigai the following day to disrupt any attempt to attack his base around Voza. [14]

On 30 October Companies E and F, led by Krulak and supported by rocket and mortar-equipped support troops and a machine-gun section, attacked the barge base at Sangigai. Setting out at 04:00, they moved towards the landing craft around Zinoa Island with the intent to use them to advance down the coast. A preliminary air attack had been arranged, consisting of 12 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers, escorted by 26 fighters. These aircraft mistakenly strafed the US landing craft instead, damaging one of them. As a result, Krulak's two assault companies were forced to make their way towards their objective on foot led by Seton and his local guides. Meanwhile, the airstrike hit Sangigai at 06:10. A brisk firefight took place around Vagara around 11:00 as Japanese sentries fired on the advancing Marines, but they were forced to withdraw back to the main Japanese position around Sangigai.

The two Marine companies were split in order to launch the attack from two directions. Thick jungle and rugged terrain slowed the advance of Company F, under Krulak, which was moving inland to adopt a flanking position, and it was still moving into position when firing broke out north of the village around 14:00. [15] At this time, Company E, under Captain Robert E. Manchester, had advanced along the coast was delayed by only a few minutes and brought its mortars and rockets into action, shelling a Japanese held ridge about 500 yards (460 m) north of the village, and then launched its attack. They secured the village a few minutes later. [16] The Japanese defenders had withdrawn from Sangigai, moving inland where they advanced into fire from Company F positioned on the high ground east of the village near the Kolombanara River. From 14:30, further fighting took place during which the Marines attempted to envelop and then flank the Japanese who resorted to several direct attacks. Finally, after about an hour, the 40 Japanese survivors scattered and withdrew into the jungle.

The battle resulted in 72 Japanese being killed, while the Marines lost four killed and 12 wounded; Krulak was among those wounded. In the aftermath, the Marines searched the village for intelligence, and destroyed remaining Japanese equipment and facilities. They then withdrew to Vagara where a night defensive position was established. In the morning, the raiding party embarked on several landing craft and returned to Voza. [17]

Throughout 31 October and 1 November the Marines undertook further patrolling actions around their base in anticipation of a Japanese counterattack; several minor clashes occurred between patrols. The Japanese reoccupied Sangigai, although they did not attack the Marine base around Voza. The wounded Marines were evacuated by a Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat, and further supplies were flown in, including food for Seton's local guides.

On 1 November a patrol of 87 Marines from Company G—under the battalion's executive officer, Major Warner T. Bigger—was sent north by landing craft towards Nukiki. Landing near the Warrior River, the patrol went ashore with the intention of attacking the Japanese around Choiseul Bay with their 60 mm mortars. The boats were hidden in a cove near Nukiki, and a detachment of 4 men left in a base camp with a radio on the eastern bank of the river, along with the heavy equipment and explosives. The patrol then set off towards Choiseul Bay, but after crossing the river the guides assigned to the patrol became lost, and the Marines were forced to establish a bivouac and remain overnight while a smaller group was detached to reestablish contact with Voza to request another guide be sent. [18]

Patrol towards Nukiki and Guppy Island, November 1-2, 1943 Guppy Island raid Choiseul map.jpg
Patrol towards Nukiki and Guppy Island, November 1–2, 1943

Throughout the night, a group of Japanese cut off the two groups. Nevertheless, on 2 November the smaller group was able to re-embark at Nukiki and return to Voza without being detected, while the larger group under Bigger pressed on with its mission after detaching several men to return to the river to request extraction in the afternoon. Coming under fire near Redman Island from a small outpost that was quickly destroyed, Bigger decided to attack his alternate target, the Japanese supply and fuel dump on Guppy Island. From the beach, 143 mortar rounds were fired, setting the base ablaze.

As the Marines began to withdraw, the Japanese landed a force down the coast behind them to attempt to cut off their withdrawal. Fighting off four separate attacks, Bigger's force established a position on the western bank of the Warrior River to await the arrival of the boats to withdraw the force. [18] At this point, the raid was momentarily stalled when a Japanese ambush trapped between 40 and 50 Marines. Three Marines were severely wounded, one of them fatally. Ten of the Marines were picked up and rescued by the motor torpedo boat PT-59 , under the command of Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, though fire from the PT-59 allowed the Navy time to rescue many other surviving Marines aboard another PT boat, PT-236, [4] [19] covered by air support from aircraft based on Munda. [20]

Following the extraction of Bigger's force, the US command began considering withdrawing Krulak's Marines from Choiseul. The Japanese, realizing the small size of the force confronting them, had adopted increasingly aggressive patrols towards Vagara, where further patrol clashes had occurred on 1 November. Information gathered by Seton from local inhabitants indicated that the Japanese had amassed 800 – 1,000 men in Sangigai, while other troops were being concentrated to the north of the Marine base at Voza. In consultation with Seton, Krulak made preparations to move across the island if his base was cut off from the beach, but ultimately the US commanders decided to withdraw the Marines before this took place.

The Marines withdrew from the island aboard three LCI landing craft in the morning of 4 November following the successful lodgment of Allied troops at Cape Torokina. [7] To cover their withdrawal, a mine field was laid and other booby traps were set; while the Marines loaded their supplies and equipment, several explosions were heard as Japanese patrols entered the minefield. After embarkation, the Marines returned to Vella Lavella, [20] escorted by five PT boats under the command of Lieutenant Arthur H. Berndston. [4]

Aftermath

Following the withdrawal of the Marine battalion, the Japanese quickly reoccupied Voza in an effort to re-secure the area to support their continued evacuation operations. [11] During the course of the operation, Krulak's battalion killed 143 Japanese troops and sank two Japanese barges, [21] losing between 11 and 13 Marines killed and 15 wounded, [21] [22] in actions later described by Major General Roy Geiger as, "a series of short right jabs designed to throw the enemy off balance and conceal the real power of the left hook to his midriff at Empress Augusta Bay." [23] Historian John Miller states that the ultimate impact of the raid on the Japanese response to the Allied Bougainville landings is unclear based on Japanese sources, although it is unlikely that the "diversion confirmed ...[the] belief that southern Bougainville was the main Allied objective". [7] John Costello, however, points out that following the raid the Japanese moved thousands of reinforcements to Choiseul. [24] Intelligence information captured during the raid also assisted Allied naval commanders to identify minefields around Cape Torokina, and conversely to mine areas that the Japanese believed free from mines. [11] The withdrawal of the Marines confused the local Choiseul Islanders who had worked to assist them; nevertheless, Seton remained on Choiseul after the raid, assisting with locating several targets for Allied dive bombers to attack. He left the island in mid-to-late 1944. [4]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Gailey, Bougainville, Chapter 3: The Treasuries and Choiseul.
  2. 1 2 3 Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, p. 194.
  3. Miller, Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul, pp. 236–237.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bradsher, Greg (15 August 2016). "Operation Blissful". Prologue Magazine. National Archives. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  5. Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, pp. 195–196.
  6. Gailey, Bougainville, p. 59.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul, p. 241.
  8. Gailey, Bougainville, p. 47 and Fuller, Shokan, p. 190.
  9. Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, p. 195.
  10. 1 2 Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, p. 198.
  11. 1 2 3 Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, p. 204.
  12. Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, pp. 198–199 and Rentz, Bougainville and the Northern Solomons, p. 107.
  13. Rentz, Bougainville and the Northern Solomons, p. 108.
  14. Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, pp. 198–199.
  15. Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, pp. 199–200.
  16. Rentz, Bougainville and the Northern Solomons, p. 109.
  17. Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, p. 200 and Rentz, Bougainville and the Northern Solomons, p. 109.
  18. 1 2 Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, pp. 201–202.
  19. Donovan, PT-109: John F. Kennedy in WW II, pp. 176–184.
  20. 1 2 Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, p. 203.
  21. 1 2 Gailey, Bougainville, p. 58.
  22. Shaw & Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, p. 204.
  23. Sherrod, History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II, p. 181.
  24. Costello, The Pacific War 1941–1945, p. 423.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Empress Augusta Bay</span> 1943 battle of World War II

The Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, on 1–2 November 1943 – also known as the Battle of Gazelle Bay, Operation Cherry Blossom, and in Japanese sources as the Sea Battle off Bougainville Island (ブーゲンビル島沖海戦) – was a naval battle fought at night in Empress Augusta Bay near Bougainville Island. The naval battle was a result of Allied landings at Cape Torokina with the bay in the first action in the Bougainville campaign of World War II and may also be considered as part of the Solomons and New Guinea campaigns. The battle was significant as part of a broader Allied strategy—known as Operation Cartwheel—aimed at isolating and surrounding the major Japanese base at Rabaul. The intention was to establish a beachhead on Bougainville, within which an airfield would be built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Georgia campaign</span> Series of land and naval battles of the Pacific campaign of World War II

The New Georgia campaign was a series of land and naval battles of the Pacific Theater of World War II between Allied forces and the Empire of Japan. It was part of Operation Cartwheel, the Allied strategy in the South Pacific to isolate the Japanese base around Rabaul. The campaign took place in the New Georgia Islands in the central Solomon Islands and followed the Allied capture of the Russell Islands. The main fighting took place on New Georgia itself, although significant actions also took place around the island chain throughout the campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bougainville campaign</span> World War II land battle in the Pacific between Allied and Japanese forces

The Bougainville campaign was a series of land and naval battles of the Pacific campaign of World War II between Allied forces and the Empire of Japan, named after the island of Bougainville. It was part of Operation Cartwheel, the Allied grand strategy in the South Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Britain campaign</span> World War II campaign between Allied and Imperial Japanese forces

The New Britain campaign was a World War II campaign fought between Allied and Imperial Japanese forces. The campaign was initiated by the Allies in late 1943 as part of a major offensive which aimed to neutralise the important Japanese base at Rabaul, the capital of New Britain, and was conducted in two phases between December 1943 and the end of the war in August 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of the Treasury Islands</span> 1943 WWII battle

The Battle of the Treasury Islands was a Second World War battle that took place between 27 October and 12 November 1943 on the Treasury Islands group, part of the Solomon Islands. The battle formed part of the wider Pacific War and involved New Zealand and US forces fighting against Japanese troops. The majority of the ground forces were provided by the New Zealand 3rd Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Vella Lavella (land)</span>

The Battle of Vella Lavella was fought from 15 August – 6 October 1943 between the Empire of Japan and the Allied forces from New Zealand and the United States at the end of the New Georgia campaign. Vella Lavella, an island located in the Solomon Islands, had been occupied by Japanese forces early during the war in the Pacific. Following the Battle of Munda Point, the Allies recaptured the island in late 1943, following a decision to bypass a large concentration of Japanese troops on the island of Kolombangara.

Patrol torpedo boat <i>PT-59</i> Torpedo boat of the United States Navy

PT-59 / PTGB-1 was an S-Class Patrol Torpedo boat of the United States Navy, built by the Electric Launch Company of Bayonne, New Jersey. The boat was laid down as Motor Boat Submarine Chaser PTC-27, and was reclassified as BPT-11 when assigned to transfer to Britain under Lend-Lease. However, this was cancelled, and she was reclassified as PT-59 prior to launch on 8 October 1941, and was completed on 5 March 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Arawe</span> 1943–44 WWII battle in the Pacific Theater

The Battle of Arawe was fought between Allied and Japanese forces during the New Britain campaign of World War II. The battle formed part of the Allied Operation Cartwheel and had the objective of serving as a diversion before a larger landing at Cape Gloucester in late December 1943. The Japanese military was expecting an Allied offensive in western New Britain and was reinforcing the region at the time of the Allied landing in the Arawe area on 15 December 1943. The Allies secured Arawe after about a month of intermittent fighting with the outnumbered Japanese force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landings at Cape Torokina</span> 1943 landing on the Solomon Islands

The Landings at Cape Torokina, also known as Operation Cherryblossom, took place at the beginning of the Bougainville campaign in World War II. The amphibious landings were carried out by elements of the United States Marine Corps in November 1943 on Bougainville Island in the South Pacific, as part of Allied efforts to advance towards the main Japanese base around Rabaul under Operation Cartwheel. Coming in the wake of Allied successes at Guadalcanal and in the central Solomons, the landings were intended to secure a beachhead with the purpose of establishing several bases from which to project air and naval power closer towards Rabaul, in an effort to neutralize the large Japanese force that had been established there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Koromokina Lagoon</span>

The Battle of the Koromokina Lagoon was fought between the United States Marine Corps and Imperial Japanese Army forces on Bougainville Island. It took place on 7–8 November 1943 during the Bougainville campaign of the Pacific War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landings on Rendova</span> Allied amphibious landing during the New Georgia campaign of World War II

The Landings on Rendova were amphibious military assaults by United States Army, Marine Corps and Navy forces on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands on 30 June 1943. The small Japanese garrison was quickly overwhelmed by US troops, but the island was subjected to heavy attack by Japanese aircraft over several days. The landings were some of the first Allied landings during the New Georgia campaign of the Pacific War and were successful in securing the island and providing a base from which the Allies could support the subsequent invasion of New Georgia island and the eventual capture of Munda airfield in early August 1943.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Wickham Anchorage</span> Battle of the New Georgia campaign during World War II

The Battle of Wickham Anchorage took place during the New Georgia campaign in the Solomon Islands during the Pacific War from 30 June – 3 July 1943. During the operation US Marines and US Army troops landed by ship around Oleana Bay on Vangunu Island and advanced overland towards the anchorage where they attacked a garrison of Imperial Japanese Navy and Army troops. The purpose of the attack by the US was to secure the lines of communication and supply between Allied forces involved in the New Georgia campaign and Allied bases in the southern Solomons. The US forces were successful in driving the Japanese garrison from the area and securing the anchorage, which would later be used to stage landing craft for subsequent operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive on Munda Point</span> Battle of the New Georgia campaign during World War II

The Drive on Munda Point was an offensive by mainly United States Army forces against Imperial Japanese forces on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands from 2–17 July 1943. The Japanese forces, mainly from the Imperial Japanese Army, were guarding an airfield at Munda Point on the western coast of the island that the U.S. wished to capture as one of the key objectives of the New Georgia campaign. After landing around Zanana on 2 July from Rendova, U.S. troops began a westward advance towards the airfield at Munda. Held up by difficult terrain and stubborn Japanese defense, elements of three U.S. regiments advanced slowly along the Munda trail over the course of two weeks. The slow progress resulted in a reorganization of the U.S. forces assigned to the drive, and preparations were made for a corps-level offensive, but before this could be launched, the Japanese launched a counterattack on 17 July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Georgia counterattack</span> Battle of the New Georgia campaign during World War II

The New Georgia counterattack was a counterattack on 17–18 July 1943 by mainly Imperial Japanese Army troops against United States Army forces during the New Georgia campaign in the Solomon Islands. The U.S. and its allies were attempting to capture an airfield constructed by the Japanese at Munda Point on New Georgia with which to support further advances towards the main Japanese base around Rabaul as part of Operation Cartwheel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Munda Point</span> Battle of the New Georgia campaign during World War II

The Battle of Munda Point was a battle from 22 July – 5 August 1943 between primarily United States Army and Imperial Japanese Army forces during the New Georgia campaign in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific War. The battle took place following a landing by U.S. troops on the western coast of New Georgia from Rendova Island, as part of an effort to capture the Japanese airfield that had been constructed at Munda Point. This advance had become bogged down, and while the Allies brought forward reinforcements and supplies, the Japanese had launched a counterattack on 17–18 July. This effort was ultimately unsuccessful, and afterwards U.S. forces launched a corps-level assault to reinvigorate their effort to capture the airfield. Against this drive, Japanese defenders from three infantry regiments offered stubborn resistance but were ultimately forced to withdraw, allowing U.S. forces to capture the airfield on 5 August. The airfield later played an important role in supporting the Allied campaign on Bougainville in late 1943.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Enogai</span> Battle of the New Georgia campaign during World War II

The Battle of Enogai was a battle between United States and Imperial Japanese Army and Navy forces on 10–11 July 1943. It took place in the early phase of the New Georgia campaign in the Solomon Islands during the Pacific War. Prior to the battle, US troops had landed at Rice Anchorage, in the Kula Gulf, on the northern coast of New Georgia, tasked with supporting efforts further south to advance on the airfield at Munda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raid on Koiari</span>

The Raid onKoiari was a battle that occurred between 28 and 29 November 1943 in the Pacific theater of World War II between American and Japanese forces. Part of the Bougainville campaign, the raid involved a landing by a battalion-sized force of United States Marines to harass Imperial Japanese Army troops on Bougainville Island. The raid was a failure for the Americans as they were attacked by a larger-than-expected Japanese force and as a result the Marines were withdrawn from the beachhead without having achieved any of their objectives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neutralisation of Rabaul</span> Allied recapture of Rabaul, New Guinea, from Japan during World War II

The neutralisation of Rabaul was an Allied campaign to render useless the Imperial Japanese base at Rabaul in eastern New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Japanese forces landed on Rabaul on 23 January 1942, capturing it by February 1942, after which the harbor and town were transformed into a major Japanese naval and air installation. The Japanese heavily relied on it, using it as a launching point for Japanese reinforcements to New Guinea and Guadalcanal. Throughout the Solomon Islands campaign, neutralizing Rabaul became the primary objective of the Allied effort in the Solomons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle for Piva Trail</span>

The Battle for Piva Trail was a battle between United States Marine Corps and Imperial Japanese Army forces on Bougainville Island. The battle took place on 8–9 November 1943 during the Bougainville campaign of the Pacific War in the days following the US landings at Cape Torokina earlier in the month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Arundel Island</span> Battle of the New Georgia campaign during World War II

The Battle of Arundel Island was fought from 27 August – 21 September 1943, primarily between United States Army and Imperial Japanese Army forces on Arundel Island during the New Georgia campaign in the Pacific War. The battle took place towards the end of the campaign after the capture of Munda airfield and mopping up operations in western New Georgia had resulted in the Japanese evacuation of mainland New Georgia. The US high command decided to occupy the island so that it could be used as a base for artillery to fire on the main Japanese troop concentration on Kolombangara.

References

Further reading