Location
Milne Bay Province (MBP) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) includes the eastern end of New Guinea and offshore islands and reefs. Borders Oro Province to the northwest and Central Province to the west. The province includes the southern portion of the Solomon Sea and to the east is the international border with the Solomon Islands. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Territory of Papua.

Wartime History
During August 1942, Japanese forces landed at Milne Bay but were defeated by defending Australian troops. Afterwards, Milne Bay was developed into a major Allied base area.

Milne Bay Area
Milne Bay  located on the southern tip of New Guinea.
Alotau  provincial capital of Milne Bay Province borders Milne Bay.
Rabi (Rabe)  located between Turnbull Airfield (No. 3 Strip) and Koebule Mission (KB Mission).
Ladava  located at the western edge of Milne Bay near Gurney Airfield.
Gili Gili (Gill Gill)  borders Milne Bay dock area east of Ladava and Turnbull Airfield
Gamadodo  located on the southeast coast of Milne Bay.
Waigani  located inland from Milne Bay and No. 2 Strip.
Konibirrubirru  located inland from Milne Bay.

Milne Bay Off Shore Islands
China Strait  navigable strait off Milne Bay between Samurai and Sariba Islands.
Samarai Island  prewar colonial government station, seaplane base.
Sariba Island  located to the east of Samarai island borders Namoai Bay and Jenkins Bay.
Namoai Bay  borders Sariba Island used by the U. S. Navy as a seaplane operating area
Jenkins Bay  borders Sariba Island used by the U. S. Navy "SeaBees"
Basilisk Island  located to the east of Milne Bay.
Uluma Reef  located to the southeast of Milne Bay.

Cape Vogel Area
Cape Vogel  borders Goodenough Bay and Ward Hunt Strait.
Goodenough Bay  borders the north coast of New Guinea.
Bogo Bogo  Bogo Bogo is located on the northern tip of Cape Vogel.
Baniara  located on the north coast of New Guinea bordering Goodenough Bay.
Hilimoi  located on the southern edge of Milne Bay site of a U. S. Navy hospital.
Kana Kopa  located on the southern edge of Milne Bay site of PT Boat Advance Base Six (Kana Kopa).
Waga Waga  located on the southern edge of Milne Bay bordering Discovery Bay.
Taupota (Taupota)   located on the southern edge of Milne Bay.

North Coast
Goodenough Bay  borders the north coast of New Guinea to Cape Vogel.
Cape Frere  located on the north coast of New Guinea.

Fife Bay District
Fife Bay  located on the southern coast of New Guinea.
Mullins Harbor  located on the southern coast of New Guinea.
Orangerie Bay  located on the south coast of New Guinea.

Louisiade Archipelago
Coral Sea   borders New Guinea and Australia, Battle of the Coral Sea May 4-8, 1942.
Jomard Passage (Jomard Channel, Jomard Entrance)  located to the south of the Louisiade Archipelago.
Louisiade Archipelago  borders the Coral Sea to the south and Solomon Sea to the north.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
January 8, 2021