Rendova Island

MapLat 8° 31' 60S Long 157° 19' 60E  Located to the south-west of New Georgia, off Munda.

History
Lightly occupied by detachments of the 229th Infantry and Kure 6th Special Naval Landing Force (Marines). American forces landed at the island's northern tip on June 30, 1943 at 0700 hours, as part of the "Western Landing Force" of the New Georgia campaign, landing two companies of the 172nd Infantry, who landed in the wrong place due to bad weather.

Click For EnlargementOver the next four days, additional landings occured over the next four days, bringing ashore the remainder of the 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division, 9th Marine Defense Battalion, 24th Naval Construction Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Battalion and other units. The landings utilized first time in the Pacific war, the LST (Landing Ship Tank). The American beachead supported next phase of the operation, to capture Munda Airfield. On July 2, 1943 155mm artillery began shelling the airfield, and continued for the rest of the campaign.

SB-24D Liberator Serial Number 42-63805
Crashed April 1, 1944 on a ridge line, located the day after the crash, remains recovered

Bonieto Point
Located at the western tip of the island.

Rendova Harbor
The harbor contains several islands, and the site of the Allied landing point.

SBD-4 Dauntless Bureau Number 10348
Shot down July 23, 1943 by anti-aircraft fire from Munda, ditched crew rescued

Lumbaria Island (Todd City)
Click For EnlargementPT-Boat Squadron 9 set up base at this island, in Rendova harbor. Nicknamed "Todd City" in honor of the first PT-Boat crewman killed in action from the base, Leon E. Todd. It was from this base that PT-109 departed for its doomed mission on August 2, 1943.

Ewan Stevenson adds:
"I went there on a picnic in 1994 very pleasant and searched for a PT boat sunk in the harbour (deep) that is rarely seen/known. Had no success this time either!"

Bou Island (Rendova PT Boat Base)
Located to the north of Rendova.  This small island was developed in October 1943 into a PT Boat base by the US Navy Seabee 20th Battalion, who improved docking facilities, camp area and warehouses.  In March 1944, the 73rd Battalion added an engine warehouse, more roads and fuel lines.

 

© 1997-2008 All rights reserved
Pacific Wreck Database
Pacific Wrecks Incorporated is a non-profit charity 501(c)(3)  Donate Now