|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
 RAAF 1943  USMC March 11, 1944  Justin Taylan July 9, 2015 |
Location Bitokara is located on a hilltop on eastern side of the Willaumez Peninsula off the north coast of New Britain. Talasea is to the southeast and Mount Schleuther to the south. Volupai is located to the northwest. Prewar During the 1920s, a Catholic church and a mission station and large mission building was established at this location prewar. A track connected Bitokara to Talasea. Wartime History On March 6, 1944 the United States Marine Corps (USMC) landed at Volupai (Red Beach) and advanced to Bitokara and Taleasea. The 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, K Company established their headquarters at this location. On March 11, 1944 Colonel Oliver P. Smith and his EO Col Henry W. Buse with a color guard raised the American flag outside the Bitokara Church, the same flag raised at Cape Gloucester Airfield on December 31, 1943. Mount Schleuther Located near Bitokara between Volupai and Sealant. On March 9, 1944 attacked by Company G while Company C and cleared villages around the base. Japanese emplaced a gun on the mountain and rigged booby traps that wounded one Marine. References USMC Historical Monograph The Campaign on New Britain Chapter 10 Talasea pages 153, 156, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163, 164, 167, 168, 169 The Numundo Patrol & Tanga Na Wo (Place of War) by Cecilie Benjamin Thanks to Cecilie Benjamin for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map USMC March 6-11, 1944 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
