Location
Open Bay is located on the northern coast of New Britain Island. Borders the villages of Baia, Maitanakunai and Mavelo Plantation. Today, Open Bay spans both East New Britain Province and West New Britain Province.

Wartime History
Open Bay was occupied by the Japanese and used as a shipping point for vessels and barges traveling along the north coast of New Britain. Open Bay was attacked by Allied aircraft during 1943.

American missions against Open Bay
January 28, 1943–February 26, 1943

On February 5, 1944 USS Gato SS-212 surfaced in Open Bay near Maitanakunai to rescue two group of Allied aviators from behind enemy lines. The first group included: Gordon Manuel, Owen Giertsen, Carl Planck and Edward Czarnecki. The second group included WCdr William Townsend, F/O David McClymont and 1st Lt. Fred Hargesheimer.

During May 1945, Australian Army troops from 3752 Infantry Battalion marched from Wide Bay to Open Bay at Watu Point near Mavelo Plantation. During May 1945 an Australia New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) labor camp was built at Nantambu near Open Bay.

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Last Updated
March 20, 2022