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    Mawara Bay Autonomous Region of Bougainville Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Location
Lat 6° 11' 6" S Long 155° 38' 7" E  Mawara Bay borders the Kieta Peninsula on the east, Kieta Harbor and beyond Kieta to the south and Bakawari Island to the east. 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 part of the in Arawa Rural LLG in Central Bougainville District in Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).

Wartime History
On March 31, 1942 at dawn, Kieta was occupied without resistance by a platoon of Japanese Navy Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF). Afterwards, Mawara Bay was used by the Japanese as an anchorage. Starting in late January 1943 targeted by Allied planes until the end of the Pacific War. The area was occupied by the Japanese until the official surrender of Japan in September 1945.

Large Japanese Shipwreck
Sunk into Mawara Bay with a smaller ship, possibly a barge closer to shore.

Small Japanese Shipwreck
Sunk into Mawara Bay closer to shore.

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Last Updated
April 14, 2025

 

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