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![]() RAAF December 14, 1942 |
Location Prewar Wartime History On December 14, 1942 at 2:00am five Japanese destroyers: Arashio, Asashio, Yugumo, Inazuma and Inazuma depart Rabaul traveling via the Admiralties to avoid air attack then turned southward before arriving at Mambare Bay at the mouth of the Mambare River. They unloaded landing craft and troops under the command of Maj. Gen. Kensaku Oda (who replaced Horii who drowned in the Kumusi River). Supplies were dropped into the sea in waterproof cases lashed to drums and buoys that floated ashore with the tide. Due to bad weather, the Japanese force arrived undetected and unloaded successfully and the unloading was completed by 6:00am and the destroyers departed. Although the landing had been successful, they were immediately detected by Lt. Noakes and reported by radio to Port Moresby. That same morning, Allied aircraft bombed the force and sank several barges. Arashio suffered light damage including casualties from a near miss bomb. Afterwards, the Japanese forces landed attempted to move to a more secure location but were bombed on December 15, 1942 further delaying their advance. Traveling down the coast at night to avoid enemy aircraft, the Japanese force including the 170th Infantry, 1st Battalion reached Amboga by December 18, 1942 and reported to General Yamagata's headquarters at Danawatu. During December 1942 to February 3, 1943, Japanese submarines I-32, I-36, I-25, I-176 and I-4 arrive at Mambare Bay to unload the mouth of the Mambare River and unload limited amounts of cargo and evacuate casualties. Sometimes, they are unable o locate ground forces or driven away by U. S. Navy PT Boats. Allied missions against Mambare River References Contribute
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