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![]() AWM 1914 ![]() 5th AF Feb 15, 1944 ![]() David Paulley 1982 ![]() ![]() ![]() Claude Gibson 2001 ![]() Harumi Sakaguchi 2003 |
Location Prewar World War II On January 21, 1942 over sixty Japanese carrier aircraft attacked Kavieng without opposition. During the night of January 21-22 most Australians were evacuated from Kavieng by 10:30pm. A few opted to stay behind to destroy installations then planned to escape aboard two small ships Navanor and Shamrock. During the night of January 23-24, 1942, a Japanese force from Truk landed at Kavieng and found virtually no opposition. Afterwards the Mai No 2 Special Infantry (SNLF) was
transported to New Hanover,
Mussau and Emirau looking for Allied forces but found no opposition then returned to Rabaul by late January 1944. During late 1942, Allied aircraft began bombing Kavieng, culminating in heavy aerial attacks in the early months of 1944 that neutralized the area. Bombing neutralized Kavieng and cut it off from effective resupply by ships or aircraft. Due to the heavy attacks in early 1944, the Japanese believed the Allies might conduct an amphibious landing at Kavieng. In response, Japanese Navy Rear Admiral Ryukichi Tamura the commander at Kavieng ordered all Allied prisoners killed due to the expected invasion. At least 25 Australian civilians were executed at Kavieng Wharf (Main Wharf). Japanese
and American missions against Kavieng Allied plans originally called for the invasion of Kavieng. On March 12, 1944 the Joint Chiefs canceled the invasion, in favor of landings at Hollandia and Emirau. Although bypassed, Japanese forces occupied Kavieng until the official surrender of Japan in early September 1945. Today Don Fetterly adds: Kavieng Airfield Chinatown B-25G Mitchell 42-64873 References Contribute
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