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  USAAF September 1943 |
Location Barakoma is located on the southeast coast of Vella Lavella in Western Province in the Solomon Islands. To the south is the mouth of the Barakoma River bordering Barakoma Bay. Offshore is Ozama Island. Wartime History During the night of July 21, 1943 to July 22, 1943 a small six man patrol including U.S. personnel from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines land near Barakoma to scout the Barakoma area as a possible landing area for a future amphibious operation. On August 15, 1943 at 3:20am U.S. Navy (USN) PT Boats landed a small group of U.S. Army and U.S. Navy personnel at Barakoma to mark channels and beaches, select defensive positions and camp areas and take several Japanese prisoners detained by natives. Ashore, they found no prisoners and learned there were some Japanese armed with weapons from ships sunk during the Battle of Vella Gulf during August 6-7,1943. At 4:45am more troops were landed to defend the area. In the morning, the main landing force including the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lighting" and supporting units landed at Barakoma without opposition. Immediately, U.S. Navy (USN) 58th Construction Battalion Seabees began of Barakoma Airfield near the landing beach. After the American landing, Barakoma was targeted by Japanese air raids starting August 19, 1943 until January 16, 1944. They failed to cause much damage or interfere with construction or operations. Japanese missions against Barakoma August 19, 1943 - January 16, 1944 Barakoma Airfield (Fighter Strip) Built by American SeaBees used primarily as a fighter strip during 1943 References At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 134-135 Contribute
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 Map Sept 1943 |
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