Location
Lat
1° 58' 0S Long 147° 20' 60E Koruniat Island is located to the northeast of Manus Island in the Admiralty Island Group (Admiralty Islands). Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in Manus
Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Wartime History
In preparation
for the 1st Squadron, 12th Cavalry's attack on Koruniat, which had
earlier been suspected of harboring naval guns, PT boats and a rocket
boat as well as artillery took the island under fire.
Bombing and strafing by the RAAF and heavy mortar fire from Mokerang
Point also preceded the assault. On April 1, 1944 the US Army, 12th
Cavalry, 1st Squadron, reinforced, made an amphibious landing, transported in native canoes on Koruniat
and Ndrilo. No
Japanese were found on Koruniat. On April 2, the 1st Squadron
returned to Lombrum.
On April 4, 1944 the 5th Cavalry began
constructing a semi-permanent bivouac on Koruniat Island. Troops
of the 1st Brigade would settle down to housekeeping, rehabilitation,
and training, with existence in the tropics made more bearable by
the arrival of refrigeration, bakery, and laundry companies.
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Last Updated
March 20, 2022
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