October 16, 1942
(5th AF) A-20s and B-25s
hit villages at the mouth and along the Mambare River.
December 14, 1942
(5th AF, RAAF) Five Japanese troop-carrying destroyers: Arashio, Isonami, Inazuma and two others reach the mouth of the Mambare River and unload without being detected. Reported by a coastwatcher, 5th Air Force B-25s, B-26s and A-20s along with Royal Australian Air Force
Beaufighters [sic Bostons] from 22 Squadron attacked the landing force destroying troops and supplies along the Mambare River. Arashio suffered light damage including casualties due to a near miss bomb. The five destroyers are attacked off Cape Ward
Hunt by medium and heavy bombers. In total, Allied aircraft flew 22 sorties between 5:20am to 4:45pm and dropped 1,946 bombs, fired 120,949 rounds and claimed 38 barges destroyed and set fire to a large fuel and munition stores and strafed personel. (References: Revenge of the Red Raiders page 160)
December 15, 1942
(5th AF) A-20s hit Japanese forces along the Mambare River
December 16, 1942
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-176 was proceeding along the north coast of New Guinea and becomes temporarily grounded off the estuary of the Mambare River.
December 17, 1942
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-176 establishes contact with the troops off the estuary of the Mambare River and unloads 16 tons of cargo and departs for Rabaul.
December 18, 1942
(IJN)
Japanese submarine I-4 arrives off the mouth of Mambare River at 10:15pm, but is detected by PT-121 "Snafu" and PT-122 that fire two torpedoes at the surfaced submarine but both miss. Chased away, I-4 returns a few hours later, but fails to contact Japanese forces and departs for Rabaul.
December 20, 1942
(IJN) Japanese submarine
I-25 arrives at the estuary of Mambare River and unloads 8 tons of cargo, but is forced to abort her mission after two US PT boats patrolling in the area are sighted and returns to Rabaul.
December 21, 1942
(5th AF) B-24s carry out single-bomber strikes
on barges at the mouth of the Mambare
River and off Cape Ward Hunt.
December 24, 1942
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-32 arrives at the mouth of the Mambare River unloads her cargo, then departs for Rabaul.
December 27, 1942
(IJN) Japanese submarine
I-25 arrives at the estuary of Mambare River, fails to establish the contact with shore units and retreats after several PT-boats are sighted.
December 29, 1942
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-32 returns to mouth of the Mambare River, but fails to establish contact with troop and aborts the mission and returns to Rabaul.
January 9, 1943
(IJN)
Japanese submarine I-32 arrives at Mambare River, unloads cargo and rescued 43 troops, then departs for Rabaul.
January 13, 1943
(IJN) Japanese submarine
I-25 arrives at the estuary of Mambare River, unloads cargo and evacuates 37 casualties and departs for Truk.
January 17, 1943
(5th AF) A-20s strafe the Mambare River delta.
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-36 arrives at Mambare River and evacuates 47 troops then departs for Rabaul.
January 24, 1943
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-36 arrives at Mambare estuary, unloads cargo and evacuates 39 troops then departs for Rabaul.
February 5, 1943
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-36 arrives at Mambare River and unloads cargo and evacuates 40 soldiers then departs for Rabaul.
February 6, 1943
(5th AF) A-20s bomb and strafe enemy forces in the Mambare River delta.
