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 RAAF December 14, 1942 |
Location The Mambare River empties into Mambare Bay on the north coast of New Guinea. To the southeast is Duvira (Maimba). Also known as the "Mamba River". The Mambare River mouth is roughly 30 miles to the north of the Kumusi River. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Northern District in the Territory of Papua. Today located in Tamata Rural LLG in Sohe District of Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prewar In February 1897, Mr. Green Australian Governor Resident was murdered at the mouth of the Mambare River. Wartime History During 1942, Australian Army Lt. Lyndon C. Noakes, NGX253 established a signal station (spotter station) and camp on a ridge roughly two miles inland from the mouth of the Mambare River. Starting in the middle of October 1942, Allied bombers and fighters targeted the Mambare River area. Allied missions against Mambare River October 16, 1942–February 6, 1943 On December 14, 1942 at 2:00am five Japanese destroyers: Arashio, Asashio, Yugumo, Inazuma and Inazuma depart Rabaul via the Admiralty Islands to avoid detection and air attack then turned south before arriving at Mambare Bay at the mouth of the Mambare River. They unloaded landing craft and troops under the command of Maj. Gen. Kensaku Oda (who replaced Horii who drowned in the Kumusi River). Supplies were dropped into the sea in waterproof cases lashed to drums and buoys that floated ashore with the tide. Due to bad weather, the Japanese force arrived undetected and unloaded successfully and the unloading was completed by 6:00am and the destroyers departed. Although the landing had been successful, they were immediately detected by Lt. Noakes and reported by radio to Port Moresby. That same morning, Allied aircraft bombed the force and sank several barges. Arashio suffered light damage including casualties from a near miss bomb. Afterwards, the Japanese forces landed attempted to move to a more secure location but were bombed on December 15, 1942 further delaying their advance. Traveling down the coast at night to avoid enemy aircraft, the Japanese force including the 170th Infantry, 1st Battalion reached Amboga by December 18, 1942 and reported to General Yamagata's headquarters at Danawatu. Between December 1942 to February 3, 1943, Japanese submarines I-32, I-36, I-25, I-176 and I-4 arrive at Mambare Bay to unload the mouth of the Mambare River and unload limited amounts of cargo and evacuate casualties. Sometimes, they were unable to locate ground forces or driven away by Allied aircraft or U.S. Navy PT Boats. On March 15, 1943 the U.S. Army 41st Division, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion "MacKechnie Force" under the command of Col Archibald R. MacKechnie (C.O. 162d Inf) occupies positions at the mouth of the Mambare River without opposition. On March 31, 1943 MacKechnie Force departed for a landing further north at the mouth of the Waria River to occupy Dona and Dona Airfield. References The Brisbane Courier "Mambare River Massacre" March 1, 1897 U.S. Army in World War II - Victory In Papua Chapter 12 pages 218-21 Army Air Forces in World War II Vol. IV The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan August 1942 to July 1944 Chapter V Battle of the Bismarck Sea pages 158 (Page 158) "In mid-March a battalion of the 162d Combat Team of the 41st Infantry Division had moved from the Buna-Gona area toward the mouth of the Mambare River in accordance with a plan to deny the use of that area to the Japanese. Footnote 89." 2/7th Australian Cavalry Regiment page 29 Wings of Destiny: Wing Commander Charles Learmonth pages 175-176 The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) Friday 6 April 1945 page 16 "The War Department at Washington announces the award of the Legion of Merit Degree Legionnaire to six Australians for 'exceptionally meritorious conduct.' They are: LIEUTENANT LYNDON C. NOAKES, for air services from November, 1942, to March, 1943, after the enemy landed at the mouth of the Mambare River. Noakes and his party killed several enemy, and maintained a constant watch on the remainder." Pub. 164 Sailing Direction (Enroute) New Guinea (2020) page 210 Contribute
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