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| Location Lat 5° 37' 60S Long 146° 28' 0E Saidor is located inland from the north coast of New Guinea. To the northeast is Sawoi (Suai) on the north coast. Beyond to the north is the Vitiaz Strait and beyond Long Island. Beyond to the east is Dekays Bay. To the west is the Nankina River. The Japanese referred to the Saidor area as Gumbi or Gumbo for Gumbi to the northwest. To the southeast roughly 110 miles beyond is Finschafen. Roughly 8-9 miles to the northwest is Biliau (Beliau). Today, located in Rai Coast District of Madang Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Wartime History During 1943, occupied by the Japanese Army with a small garrison of roughly 50 personnel at Saidor. On January 2, 1944 another 120-150 transients were present that fled inland when the preinvasion bombardment began. American and Japanese missions against Saidor April 18, 1943–March 4, 1944 On January 2, 1944 "Operation Michaelmas" LCVP (LCVP) land the U.S. Army, 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Regimental Combat Team (126th RCT) under the command of General Martin with the 120th Field Artillery plus other elements at Sawoi (Suai) and advance to Saidor. Approximately 200 Japanese defended the Saidor area, but most fled inland and withdrew towards Madang. The landing bypassed the Japanese garrison at Sio to the east. At Saidor, the U.S. Army used carrier pigeons for the last time in their history sending messages from offshore vessels to soldiers ashore before radios were setup. Saidor Airfield Built prewar captured by U.S. Army on January 2, 1944. References The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II - New Guinea pages 17, 29 The Coast Guard at War - Chapter X New Guinea - Saidor pages 57, 59 U.S. Army in World War II - Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul Chapter XIV Crossing the Straits pages 273, 295-305 The 32D Infantry Division in World War II The ‘Red Arrow’ The New Guinea Campaign - Saidor Contribute
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