Lat 6° 49' 60S Long 155° 43' 60E  Coastal village located 12km from Buin.

Erventa (Buin Harbor)
Harbor off Kangu beach to Kahili. This area was known as Erventa or Buin Harbor.  During the war, it was mined by US Navy aircraft and fast minelayers.

American Missions Against Kangu
September 26, 1943 - June 11, 1944

Spetember 26, 1943
(USN) F4U's support USN dive bombers in a strike on gun positions at Kangu Hill

October 10, 1943
(USN) Navy dive bombers hit Malabita Hill gun positions.  The bombing was not accurate with about half the load falling into the water off Bougainville 'killing many small fish'

November 30, 1943
(13th AF) fighters cover dive bombers attacking the Jakohina Mission area, gun positions at Kangu and Malabita Hill

June 5, 1944
(13th AF) P-39s hit Kangu Hill area

June 11, 1944
(13th AF) P-39s fly sorties against AA guns at Kangu Hill

Kangu Beach
Harbor off southern Bougainville. Heavily fortified by the Japanese, in preparation for an Allied assault on the beach that never came. A battle did occur here decades later, during the Bougainville Crisis of 1991, when PNGDF had a camp at this same area, and twenty were killed in an attack by the BRA, (Bougainville Revolutionary Army).

In 2002-3, construction of a warph at the harbor was begun as an AusAid (Australian Aid) Project. In preparation, explosive experts checked the beach, and discovered many bullets, and buried 140mm shells. Also, a series of depth charges buried on the beach, presumable to be detonated as Allies landed. These munitions were detonated by MilSearch, prior to construction.

Type 3 (1914) 140mm Naval Gun
Emplaced on the eastern edge of Kangua Beach

Type 3 (1914) 140mm Naval Gun
Emplaced on the western edge of Kangua Beach

Pillboxes & Tunnels A large concrete pillbox over looks the beach, and tunnels are carved into the hillside road behind it. Photo by Josh McDade 1999.

Bunker Japanese built wartime bunker. There is a large, overgrown bunker on right just inland from the beach. It has high ceilings and the attach points for a massive metal door. Reportedly, it was used as a jail post war by the colonial administration. Today, the door is missing, but the interior of the bunker is in excellent condtion.  There is the remains of some piece of machinery or generator inside.

Metal Pillboxes Also, a large pyramid shaped pillbox made of metal is located on the beach. It has several shooting ports, and a tank-like turret entry hatch on the top.

 

Kagua Hill (Buin Mountain)
This hill has a commanding view over southern bougainville area.  After Japanese occupation, it became the site of a large Japanese anti-aircraft gun concentration and an underground hospital. The Japanese refered to the feature as "Buin Mointain".

Malabeta Hill (Malabita Hill)
Prior to Japanese occupation, coastwatcher Australian Paul Mason was observing in this area, and reported at 10:37am, 24 Japanese Betty bombers from Rabaul headed south on August 7, 1942 the first Japanese air raid on Guadalcanal. With advanced warning carrier planes and ships were alerted and able to intercept this raid. 

Buin-Kangu Hill Road
Road from Buin southward to Kangu Beach.