Location
Blanche Bay is located to the southeast of Rabaul, bordering Karavia Bay to the west and Simpson Harbor to the northwest. To the south borders Kokopo, Vunapope (Wunapope), Takubar, Raluana, Rapopo, Lesson Point and Rapopo Airfield. To the east is St. Georges Channel and New Ireland.

Prewar
During November 1884, Imperial German Navy warship SMS Elizabeth entered Blanche Bay to claim New Britain for Germany.

Wartime History
Occupied by the Japanese during January 1942. The area was used by Japanese warships, transports and barges operating in the area until their surrender in September 1945.

Lock Katrine
Sunk around 1937 wreckage remains today

A6M2 Model 21 Zero
Ditched off off Malapau to the west of Kokopo. This aircraft is a popular SCUBA dive site

Kinkansan Maru (Takubar Wreck)
Sunk into Blanche Bay off Takubar probably the Kinkansan Maru

P-38H Lightning 42-66680
Pilot Brown MIA January 17, 1944

P-38J Lightning 42-67617
Pilot Heckler MIA January 17, 1944

P-38J Lightning 42-67171
Pilot Langen MIA January 17, 1944

P-38J Lightning 42-67611
Pilot Schoettel MIA January 17, 1944

References
Pacific Islanders Under German Rule: A Study in the Meaning of Colonial Resistance pages 123

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018