Location
The area dubbed "The Triangle" was located near Buna, spanning the area from Buna Village to Buna
Station (Buna
Mission), a mile apart, separated an estuary known as Entrance Creek. Also known as "Bloody Triangle". Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Northern District of Territory of Papua. Today located in Oro Bay Rural LLG, Ijivitari District of Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Prewar
The area was part of a plantation with coconut palm trees harvesting copra.
Wartime History
During late 1942, the Japanese Army established defenses in the coconut grove at this location including bunkers made of coconut logs and trenches. The defenses were in a roughly triangular shape and spanned the walking trail and Seremi Creek. Rapidly, vegetation grew that further concealed the bunkers and defensive positions.
In late November 1942, the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment was assigned to this sector. Once fully deployed, they were ordered to attack Japanese defensive positions in the area.
On December 17, 1942 the 126th Infantry Regiment attacked the area and encountered concealed bunkers made of coconut logs and trenches. Two days later, the attack halted due to stiff resistance and fierce crossfire. Due to the American casualties sustained, the area was dubbed "Bloody Triangle" or "Bloody Triangle" by the Americans. On December 20, 1942 the Americans decided to bypass The Triangle.
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Last Updated
December 25, 2021
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