Allied missions against Huon Gulf
March 10, 1942–September 4, 1943

March 10, 1942
(USN) Task Force 11 (TF-11) carrier air strike was launched from aircraft carriers USS Lexington and USS Yorktown in the Gulf of Papua, with SBDs hitting Lae. The raids caught the Japanese by surprise and hitting shipping engaged in landing troops and supplies at Lae.

April 30, 1942
(USAAF) At 2:37pm Airacobras strafe seaplanes in Huon Gulf.

May 22, 1942
(5th AF) B-26s from the 22nd Bomb Group and B-25s from the from the 3rd Bomb Group attack shipping in Huon Gulf.

July 30, 1942
(USAAF) B-17s attack shipping in the Solomon Sea east of the Huon Gulf.

August 1, 1942
(USAAF) B-17s attack shipping 75 miles east of Salamaua in Huon Gulf.

January 7, 1943
(USAAF, RAAF) A Japanese convoy bound for Lae attacked by heavy, medium and light bombers and fighters, along with Royal Australian Air Force in the Solomon Sea off Finschhafen and during its progress off the south coast of the Huon Peninsula through Huon Gulf to Lae. Despite the heavy air resistance, the convoy reaches its destination.

February 4, 1943
(USAAF) A-20s and B-25s bomb Lae Airfield and Huon Gulf.

March 3, 1943
(USAAF, RAAF) During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea heavy bombers are joined by medium and light bombers and fighters (US and Australian) strike the Japanese convoy in Huon Gulf.

March 4, 1943
(USAAF, RAAF) At the end of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Allied aircraft continue to strike the remnants of the Japanese convoy in the Huon Gulf. Several B-25s, a single B-17 and B-24s hit vessels in Huon Gulf. This is the last enemy attempt to use large vessels to reinforce positions on the Huon Gulf.

April 4, 1943
(USAAF) B-25's and A-20's pound areas along the Huon Gulf.

April 5, 1943
(USAAF) Single B-17's attack occupied areas at several points along the coast of the Huon Gulf.

June 11, 1943
(USAAF) B-25's pound areas along the coast of the Huon Gulf.

July 13, 1943
(USAAF) Four B-17's from the 43rd BG, 64th BS and one B-24, operating individually bomb Huon Gulf.

September 4, 1943
(USN) "Operation "Postern" Task Force 76 (TF-76) under the command of Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey lands the Australian 9th Division at Red Beach and Yellow Beach to the east of Lae.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?