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    Kangu Hill (Mount Buin) Autonomous Region of Bougainville Papua New Guinea (PNG)
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Australian Army
October 5, 1945

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Yoji Sakaida 2005
Location
Kangu Hill has an elevation of 227' located inland from the southern coast of Bougainville Island. To the south is Kangu.  To the north is the Pororeri River bridge. To the northeast is Jakohina Mission (Buin Mission), Erventa Harbor (Buin Harbor), Moliko River (Muliko River), Lamuai, Moisuru and Moisuru Bay. Further to the north is Malabeta Hill (Malabita). During the Pacific War, the Japanese referred to this feature as "Mount Buin", "Mt. Buin" or "Buin Mountain" and this area of the southern coast as "Buin". Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Northern Solomons. Today located in the Buin Rural LLG, Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Wartime History
During early 1942 occupied by the Japanese. During the Pacific War, Kangu Hill was developed into a defensive position with Type 89 127mm anti-aircraft guns with a range finder. Tunnels were dug into the hillside for an underground hospital and radio station powered by a nearby generator bunker. Starting in 1943 attacked by U.S. bombers and fighters until the end of 1944.

American missions against Kangu Hill
September 26, 1943–October 1, 1944

Occupied by the Japanese until their official surrender of Japan in September 1945. During late September 1945, this area was occupied by the Australian Army, 2 Corps, 2nd Corps, headquarters. During early October 1945, the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) established their headquarters on Kangu Hill at the site of the prewar government station and worked to rehabilitate native people impacted by the war by providing them providing food and supplies. During early October 1945, Japanese Prisoners Of War (POW) from southern Bougainville were assembled at Kangu before being transported aboard landing craft to Fauro Island where they were detained at a POW Camp.

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Last Updated
December 3, 2023

 

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