6° 16' 60S 150° 19' 60E Located on the south coast of New Britain.
History
Known as Surumi or Tsurumi to the Japanese. Occupied by the Japanese
on the night of February 8/9, 1942. The area was developed into a
base. On October 2, 1943 a PT-Boat landing party from
Kiriwina landed an group of Australian, American and natives at Ablingi Harbor, west of Gasmata to collect intelligence
for two weeks, and were then successfully removed. The area was liberated
by Australian Army March 28, 1944.
Gasmata Airfield (Surumi, Tsurumi)
Prewar airfield captured and expanded by the Japanese.
Thilenius Harbor (Gasmata Harbor)
Located to the west of the Gasmata Airfield. PT-143 entered the harbor after observing no enemy activity
on March 17, 1944, they even tied up to the jetty and inspected the
area on foot, and reported back to base that the Japanese had withdrawn
from the area.
E13A Jake Manufacture Number 4326
Sunk into the lagoon at Gasmata
Anwek River
Located to the east of Gasmata Airfield. PT-143 destroyed two barges
there on March 17, 1943, and met no resistance.
Hudson A16-126
Missing over Gasmata on February 11, 1942 discovered March 5, 2008
Hudson A16-101
Missing over Gasmata on March 3-4, 1942. Wreckage presumed to be this aircraft
Hudson A16-165
Missing over Gasmata on March 3-4, 1942. Wreckage presumed to be this aircraft
A6M2 Model 21 Zero
Piloted by Tokushige. Missing in the mountains near Gasmata August 17, 1942
Japanese Merchant Ship
Sunk off Gasmata
Beaufort Mark VIII Serial
Number A9-204
Shot down September 4, 1943 by anti-aircraft fire
Beaufort Mark VIII Serial
Number A9-183
Shot down September 5, 1943 by anti-aircraft fire
Beaufort Mark VIII Serial
Number A9-186
Shot down September 5, 1943 by anti-aircraft fire
Beaufort Mark VIII Serial
Number A9-374
Shot down September 5, 1943 by anti-aircraft fire
Avirin Island
Island located off Gasmata
Unknown Aircraft Wreck at Gona
Possibly B-25, Beaufort or Hudson
B-25G Mitchell Serial Number 42-64846
Crashed off Arawin Island, November 22, 1943
