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    Soraken Autonomous Region of Bougainville Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Location
Soraken is located on the Soraken peninsula in northwest of Bougainville Island. Borders Soraken Harbor to the north and 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 the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). Today located in Kunua Rural LLG of Northern Bougainville District.

Prewar
During 1913, Soraken Plantation was established at this location planted with coconut palms harvesting copra with a railway tramway line that spanned 13 miles (21 kilometers to transport copra to the coast for export.

Wartime History
During 1942 occupied by the Japanese and used as a supply area and base. In December 1943 until the middle of 1944 attacked by Allied aircraft. Occupied by the Japanese until 1945 when the Australian Army 11th Brigade occupied the Soraken Peninsula.

Allied missions against Soraken
December 12, 1943–May 31, 1944

References
ANU "Burns Philp & Company - Photographs of Soraken, Bougainville" AU NBAC N115-520

The Hard Slog (2012) by Karl James pages 24, 115, 119-129, 142, 248, 262, 318 (index)

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Last Updated
May 19, 2025

 

Map
Map
Oct 22, 1943
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