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 Nellson Dec 23, 1943  USN 1944  David Paulley 1982 |
Location Torokina Island is a small island inside Empress Augusta Bay off the west coast of Bougainville. To the east is Cape Torokina on Bougainville and to the west is larger Puruata Island. Prewar and during the Pacific War, part of Kieta District in the Territory of New Guinea and considered part of the North Solomons, Northern Solomons. During 1975 became Bougainville Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). On June 25, 2002 became the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). Wartime History During early 1942, occupied by the Japanese. By late 1943, a small garrison was on the island or soldiers from Puruata Island withdrew via Torokina Island then to the mainland. On November 1, 1943 during the U.S. landings at Cape Torokina and Puruata Island, LCVP landing craft passed to the north of Torokina Island but did not land. On November 3, 1943 sporadic rifle fire was reported from the small island. After a 15 minute bombardment by artillery from 12th Marines plus Bofors 40mm and 20mm cannons from the 3d Defense Battalion on Bougainville. Afterwards, a small detachment from the Marine Raiders, 3d Raider Battalion on Puruata Island lands on Torokina Island to search for enemy but finds none, only 8-10 freshly dug graves indicating the Japanese had withdrawn prior to their landing. References History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations In World War II Chapter 3 Assault on Cape Torokina pages 211, 212 (map) History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations In World War II Chapter 4 Holding the Beachhead pages 227 (map), 228 Contribute
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 Map Nov 1, 1943 |
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