September 15, 1942
January 4, 1943
c1943
May 3, 1943
August 5, 1943
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Location
Located along Rekata Bay and Suavanao Point.
Construction
Occupied by the Japanese in the middle of 1942. Used
for offensive seaplane operations, and as an emergency landing
and ditching area for Japanese aircraft damaged over Guadalcanal. Japanese pilots who ditched would flown back to their home bases at Rabaul and Bougainville. Many 'washing machine charlie' took off from Rekata Bay, then harassed American positions at night.
Japanese Units Based at Rekata
R Area Air Force (seaplanes) September
- November 1942
Walter Lord writes in Lonley Vigil:
"Japanese anti-aircraft gunners at Rekata Bay, who seemed to be the best in the business."
Allied Neutralization
Although it was pounded
from the air by Allied forces, it was never attacked directly,
and its garrison was withdrawn in early September 1943 by coastal barges.
Missions Against Rekata Bay
August 7, 1942 - August 16, 1943
Japanese Evacuation
In August - September 1943 the area was evacuated by the Japanese by barges after American landing on Villa Lavella and failure of New Georgia campaign.
Japanese Aircraft Surveyed
After the Japanese withdrew from Rekata, American survey teams reviewed aircraft wrecks left in the area in late 1943. It is unclear if any of the wrecks were removed, most likely they were only studied. Crashed Enemy Aircraft Report (CEAR) No. 17 dated February 15, 1944, from the Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence, Washington D.C., reports the aircraft found in the Rekata Bay area by Allied crash intelligence survey parties. (Thanks to Richard Dunn and Jim Long for this information).
F1M2 Pete Manufacture
Number 726
Abandoned at Rekata Bay, surveyed by US Army TAIU August 12, 1943
F1M2 Pete Manufacture
Number 1190 Tail YII-3
Abandoned at Rekata Bay,surveyed by US Army TAIU August 12, 1943
F1M2 Pete 1200 Tail Code YI-38
Abandoned at Rekata Bay,surveyed by US Army TAIU August 12, 1943
F1M2 Pete 2196 Tail Code YI-41
Built by Mitsubishi, September 1942 (estimated)
F1M2 Pete Manufacture
Number 3132
Abandoned at Rekata Bay, surveyed by US Army TAIU August 12, 1943
F1M2 Pete 5119
Built by Mitsubishi, September 13, 1942. Tail markings unknown.
F1M2 Pete 5199 Tail Code YI-37
Built by Mitsubishi, September 13, 1942
A6M3 Zero 3110
Mitsubishi, MFR No. 3110, EAD - August 1942.
A6M2-N Rufe Manufacture
Number 739
Abandoned at Rekata Bay, surveyed by US Army TAIU August 12, 1943
G4M1 Betty 5329
Built by Mitsubishi on May 30, 1942.
G4M1 Betty 3387
Built (date unknown)
G4M1 Betty 5489
Built November 1942 (estimated)
E7K Alf Manufacture Number 2244
Assembled by Kawanishi, built on November 24, 1938, mark 2. Abandoned at Rekata Bay.
E7K Alf Manufacture Number 2294
Assembled by Kawanishi mark 2, built on April 12, 1939
E13A1 Jake Manufacture
Number 575
Abandoned at Rekata Bay, surveyed by US Army TAIU August 12, 1943
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August 20, 1943
May 3, 1943
August 5, 1943
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1945 via RNZAF
Geoffrey White, 1987
Justin Taylan, 2006
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Later, around July 1945, RNZAF Catalina of 5 Squadron went
up to Rekata bay for a picnic and to inspect the former Japanese
base. On this visit, one of the group went missing (attributed
to saltwater crocodile). The group took some photos of
area. (Thanks to Ewan Stevenson for this information.)
Today
Abandoned since the war. In the early 1990s, when Suavanao Airport was built or expanded on Suavanao Point.
Geoffrey White reports:
"I visited Suavanao in 1987 and 2002. Not much, and a lot less today."
Then, logging began in the area, establishing its its base camp at Suavanao.In the early 1990s they developed the point area, built the airfield, logging camp and dock area for timber.
After a brief period of inactivity in the late 1990s to 2003 during the 'tensions', the logging has resumed. Although the logging company, Earthmovers, claims it never interfered with any war relics, none remain on the point area the developed. Japanese guns at Suavanao Point were either bulldozed and buried or otherwise disappeared.
Justin Taylan visited the site in February 2006:
"I was disappointed there was so little in the area. I searched and found no traces of the Japanese base there, aside from the empty mount of a twin anti-aircraft gun. No bottles, or other small relics of Japanese occupation remained. The water quality in the whole area was poor due to the logging."
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Information
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Photos 1945
Photos 1987
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