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    West New Britain Province (WNB)  Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Location
West New Britain Province (WNB) includes the western half of New Britain. Borders East New Britain Province to the east, the Bismarck Sea to the north, Solomon Sea to the south and Vitiaz Strait to the west. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the New Britain District in the Territory of New Guinea. During the 1960s, West New Britain Province was created by the Australian Administration. Today located in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Today located in East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Wartime History
During the Pacific War, occupied by the Japanese. As part of a plan to advance Allied airfields closer to Rabaul, Americans forces made a diversionary landing at Arawe on December 15, 1943 then the main landing at Cape Gloucester on December 26, 1943. During early 1944, Americans advanced on the northern coast and pushing the Japanese eastwards.

Cape Gloucester area on the western end of New Britain
Cape Gloucester (Tuluvu)  located at the western tip of New Britain, US landing December 26, 1943.
Mount Talawe  located five miles inland from Cape Gloucester.
Borgan Bay  located to the east of Cape Gloucester.
Dampier Strait  connects the Bismarck Sea to the north with the Solomon Sea off West New Britain.
Sag Sag  located at the western tip of New Britain.
Aisega (Aisago, Aishiga, Aisiga)  located on the western coast of New Britain.
Cape Raoult  located on the north coast of New Britain.
Rein Bay  located on the north coast of New Britain.
Willaumez Peninsula area on the north coast of New Britain
Eleanora Bay  located to the east of Cape Gloucester.
Willaumez Peninsula  located on the north coast of New Britain bordering Kimbe Bay.
Volupai (Red Beach)  located near Cape Gloucester site of the U.S. Marine landing on Willaumez Peninsula.
Bitokara  prewar German Catholic mission station on the Willaumez Peninsula.
Talasea  prewar Australian Government Station and Talasea Airfield.
Garua Island  located off the eastern side of the Willaumez Peninsula.
Kimbe (San Remo Plantation)  town founded in 1969 located on San Remo Plantation.
Kimbe Bay  borders the northern coast of New Britain including Kimbe.
Numundo  plantation south of Talasea peninsula near Kimbe.
Hoskins (Cape Hoskins)  located on the north coast of New Britain with Hoskins Airfield (Gavuvu).
Loloba Island  located offshore from Hoskins.
Ulabo  located on the north coast of New Britain to the east of Hoskins.
Open Bay area on the north coast of New Britain
Open Bay  located on the northern coast of New Britain.
Tarobi  located on the north coast of New Britain.
Ulamona  located on the north coast of New Britain.
Ubili  located on the north coast of New Britain.
Sule  located on the north coast of New Britain, includes Sule Airfield (Ubili Airfield).
South coast of New Britain
Arawe (Cape Merkus)  located on the southwestern tip of New Britain.
Arawe Harbor (Merkus Harbor)  borders Arawe (Cape Merkus) on the southwestern tip of New Britain.
Wako (Waku)  located near Arawe.
Ablingi  located on the south coast of New Britain.
Gasmata (Tsurumi)  located on the southern coast of New Britain includes Gasmata Airfield.
Awrin Island (Awrin)  located off Gasmata.
Lindenhafen (Linderhaven)  located to the east of Gasmata borders Lindenhafen Harbor.
Fulleborn Harbor  located on the south coast 25 miles east of Gasmata.
Kandrian  located on the south coast of New Britain.
Witu Island Group (Vitu)
Witu Island Group (Vitu)  located off the north coast of New Britain.
Witu Island (Vitu)  located in the Witu Island Group includes Meto and Peterhafen.
Garowe Island (Garove)  located in the Witu Island Group.
Narage Island  located in the Witu Island Group.
Unea Island  located in the Witu Island Group.

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Last Updated
March 29, 2025

 

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