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| Location Lat 7° 4' 60S Long 157° 0' 0E Choiseul Island is a long narrow island on the eastern side of "The Slot". To the northwest is Bougainville. Choiseul Island is also known as "Lauru" in the local language. Offshore is Zinoa Island. Today located in Choiseul Province in Solomon Islands. Wartime History During 1942, Choiseul Island coastal areas were occupied by Japanese forces. During October 1942, USS Grampus (SS-207) landed several coastwatchers on the island. Coastwatcher Lt. Carden W. Seton operated from Choiseul during 1942 until October 1943, when he was removed by U.S. Navy PBY Catalina and joined the U.S. Marines during their raid on Voza between October 28, 1943 until November 3, 1943. During late August 1943 until September 1943, "Tokyo Express" runs from Choiseul rescued more than 3,800 Japanese troops from Kolombangara to Choiseul. US Navy PT-Boats operated with success around the island as did larger ships, including USS Nicholas (DD 449) which patrolled between August 18 - 26, 1943. On October 28, 1943 a force of U.S. Marines "Bigger's Force" from 2nd Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment "Paramarines" lands at Voza to harass the Japanese and as a diversion for the landing at Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville. On November 2, 1943 the Marines were evacuated by PT Boats. Afterwards, Choiseul was bypassed leaving the remaining Japanese forces isolated. During January 21, 1944 until February 19, 1944 Technical Air Intelligence did a probe of Japanese aircraft wrecks on Choiseul. They were inserted at Ruravu Mission in the south of the island, and covered hundreds of miles by foot and in canoes with the help of locals and coastwatchers. They reported many wrecks including a Sonia, Oscar, Zero and Judy that was later recovered. American missions against Choiseul January 28, 1943–March 4, 1944 Today Following Solomon Island independence on July 7, 1978, Choiseul was part of Western Province. On February 25, 1992 Choiseul Province was established. The administrative headquarters for Choiseul Province is located at Taro. PBY-5A Catalina Bureau Number 48259 Pilot Burkhardt crashed March 8, 1944 B-24D Liberator Serial Number 42-40864 Pilot Greear MIA October 25, 1943, 10 missing Voza Located on the southern coast of Choiseul. USMC landed October 28, 1943–November 3, 1943. Zinoa Island Island offshore of Voza. Choiseul Bay Located at the northwest tip of Choiseul island. Prewar, there was a copra plantation on the offshore islands of Redman and Guppy. Visi Point Located to the south of Choiseul Bay on Choiseul Island. Warrior River The Warrior River is oriented roughly north to south on the northwest tip of Choiseul with the mouth on the southern coast. To the west is Choiseul Bay. To the east is Nokiki (Nukiki). On November 2, 1943, U.S. Marines "Bigger's Force" of the 2nd Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment (Paramarines) are withdrawn from this location by PT Boats. Leaving the beach, an LCVP landing craft hit a reef and began to take on water, then then engine died and it began drifting toward enemy territory. PT-59 and PT-236 came on the scene and took aboard the men on that boat. Three aircraft appeared at the same time and covered the operation by strafing the shore. Moli (Moli Point) Located on the northwest tip of Choiseul Island near Choiseul Bay. Cape Kamboro Located on the northeast coast of Choiseul Island. Boe (Mboe) Located on the southern coast of the center of Choiseul Island. Batua Point Located on the south coast of Choiseul Island. Varunga Point Located on the north coast of Choiseul Island. Kolokapisi (Kolokapasi) Located on the southern coast of Choiseul Island near Luti Bay. Sangigai (Sanggighae, Sagigai, Sanggigae) Located to southeast of Voza on southern coast of Choiseul. Japanese barge station, USMC diversionary landing. Nokiki Located to the southeast of Choiseul Bay. Contribute
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