|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
 USN June 30, 1943  USMC July 4, 1943  Solomon Airlines 1998 |
Location Lat 8° 31' 60S Long 157° 19' 60E Rendova Harbor borders Rendova Island to the south and Blanche Channel to the north. Also known as Rendova Lagoon. The northern edge of Rendova Harbor is formed by a line of offshore islands including Lumbaria Island, Pau Island (Papaleke), Bau Island (Bou), Kokorana Island and Mbarambuni Island. The northern edge has two entrances for vessels: Wilson Entrance (Wilson Channel Entrance) and Renard Entrance (Renard Channel Entrance). Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today located in Western Province in the Solomon Islands. Wartime History On June 30, 1943 in the early morning, the U.S. "Western Invasion Force" entered Rendova Harbor and began landing U.S. personnel and cargo on northern Rendova Island. For the first time during the Pacific War, the amphibious landings was conducted by Landing Ship Tank (LST). The U.S. Army 43rd Infantry Division, 172nd Infantry Regiment landed on the northern tip of Rendova. Due to bad weather, two companies of the 172nd Infantry, land in the wrong location. With the invasion force were twelve P. T. Boats from Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 9 (MTBS-9) under the command of Lt. Commander Kelly entered Rendova Harbor with orders to establish a temporary PT Boat base and to operate as directed by Commander Naval Base Rendova. During the day, the boats searched for a suitable location and were refueled using fuel drums lightered out by Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM). That evening, the PT Boats conducted their first mission from Rendova Harbor patrolling north of Rendova Island to the Roviana Lagoon to screen landing craft. Also to patrol east and west of Mbalumbalu Island in Blanche Channel to intercept Japanese forces expected to attempt to reinforce Viru Harbor and were advise no friendly vessels would be operating in the area. This patrol detected a large transport on radar and the first section of six P. T. Boats made a torpedo attack claiming multiple hits that caused it to sink. In fact, they sank USS McCawley (APA-4). Afterwards, Rendova Harbor was developed by the U.S. Navy into Naval Base Rendova to support the New Georgia campaign and reduction of Munda. During the middle of 1943, Rendova PT Boat Base (Lumbaria Island/Todd City) was developed off Lumbaria Island inside Rendova Harbor. Later during 1943, Rendova PT Boat Base (Bau Island) was constructed. SBD-4 Dauntless Bureau Number 10348 Pilot Dougherty ditched July 23, 1943 crew rescued SCUBA dive site P-39 Airacobra Ditched into Rendova Harbor Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map 1943 Map July 4, 1943 Map Nov 15, 1943 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
