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 USMC Nov 1943 |
Location The Battle of Koromokina Lagoon was a battle between the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and U.S. Marines at Koromokina Lagoon west of the mouth of the Koromokina River on western Bougainville. Also known as the Battle of the Koromokina Lagoon. Wartime History On November 7, 1943 after midnight, 475 Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) soldiers from the 17th Division, 53rd Infantry Regiment and 54th Infantry Regiment land without opposition in Atsinima Bay near the mouth of the Laruma River and Koromokina Lagoon on western Bougainville. Landing in the dark in heavy surf, the Japanese unload over a wide area and afterwards the destroyers withdraw without opposition. Their counter-landing was to attack the left flank (northern) of the U.S. permimeter defended by U.S. Marines. Although the U.S. forces spotted the landing craft they incorrectly believed they were American reinforcements. During the Battle of Koromokina Lagoon, the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Walter Asmuth, Jr. engages with artillery support from the 12th Marine Regiment plus 90mm AA guns from the 3rd Defense Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Edward H. Forney halt their advance. During the battle, Sgt Herbert J. Thomas, Jr. threw himself onto a grenade and was killed, earning the Medal of Honor, posthumously. Outcome The battle was a U.S. Marine Corps victory as their perimeter held. The Japanese Army force of 475 suffered at least 377 (some sources state 250) killed with the remainder fleeing into the jungle. The Marines lost 17 killed and 30 wounded. References USMC Historical Monograph Bougainville and the Northern Solomons Chapter 2 Establishing Bougainville Beachhead pages 40-45 (Koromokina Lagoon) Contribute
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 Map Nov 7-8, 1943 |
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