|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| Location Basabua is located on the north coast of New Guinea. To the west is Gona and beyond to the east is Sanananda Point. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Territory of Papua. During 1942-1943, the Japanese referred to "Basabua" to describe the beachhead area spanning from Basabua to Giruwa. Today located in Oro Bay Rural of Ijivitari District in Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Wartime History During the night of July 21, 1942 Japanese force began landing at Gona and occupied Basabua. Immediately, the Japanese established a base area at Gona and Basabua to support of their advance and landed additional supplies and reinforcements at this location. The sea off Basabua was developed into an anchorage and landing area. On August 13, 1942 a Japanese convoy bound for Basabua with 3,000 construction troops was bombed by B-17s and B-26s. On August 13, 1942 and August 22, 1942 Japanese A6M3 Zeros from the 2nd Kokutai (2nd Air Group) and Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) based at Buna Airfield (Old Strip) fly combat air patrols over Basabua to protect the beachhead area. By late November 1942, the Basabua area was defended by only 700-800 soldiers led by Major Yamamoto Tsuneichi including many Takasago volunteers from Taiwan. They were reinforced by 70 soldiers from the 41st Infantry Regiment and 80 men from the South Sea Force. This area was targeted by Allied planes and bombarded with artillery in preparation for an assault, as it was deemed to be the weakest area of the Japanese beachhead. On November 29, 1942 the Australian Army 2/27 Battalion from Gona probed eastward to a creek to the east where they met stiff opposition. On November 30, 1942 Allied planes struck the area as the 2/27 Battalion resumed their attack and again faced heavy opposition with 45 lost while the 2/14th Battalion cleared most of the beach towards Basabua. By December 1, 1942 the Japanese garrison at this location was isolated and their wireless radio destroyed but continued to defend the area. On December 2, 1942 at dawn, a Japanese convoy of four destroyers reached Basabua but before they could unload attacked by Allied aircraft and instead diverted to land at the mouth of the Kumusi River where roughly 500 soldiers and supplies reached shore. By December 8, 1942 Major Yamamoto authorized the roughly 100 surviving Japanese to withdraw into the jungle and out to sea to link up with friendly forces, but he opted to remain behind to meet his fate. Afterwards, occupied by the 2/14th Battalion that established an outpost at this location them moved westward. References U.S. Army in World War II - Victory in Papua Chapter XII The Fighting West of the Girua pages 213-215, 219 AWM The Japanese experience at Buna-Gona by Haruki Yoshida March 30, 2021 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
