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 Solomon Airlines 1998  Dennis Letourneau 1999 |
Location Lat 8° 13' 0S Long 157° 9' 0E Arundel Island is located in the New Georgia Island Group (New Georgia Islands) in the central Solomon Islands. In the local languages, known as Ndokulu Island, Kohinggo Island, Kohinggo Island, Kahingo Island. Northern Arundel Island includes Bustling Point on the northwest and the long Bomboe peninsula that connects to the northern tip of Arundel Island with Sagekarasa Island offshore to the north. The Stima peninsula and Stima Lagoon are on the northeast coast. To the east borders Hathorn Sound and beyond the western edge of New Georgia including the Ondongo peninsula. To the southeast is Diamond Narrows. To the west is Vonavona Island (Parara, Wanawana) and northwest is Ferguson Passage. To the north borders Blackett Strait and beyond Kolombangara Island and borders Kula Gulf to the northeast. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today part of Western Province in the Solomon Islands. Wartime History In early August 1943 after the Japanese withdrawal from Munda and New Georgia, the Japanese Army under the command of General Sasaki developed strong well concealed defensive positions on the northern tip of Arundel Island and on Stima peninsula with barges able to shuttle reinforcements from Kolombangara Island. From Arundel Island, Japanese General Sasaki hoped to even launch a counter offensive to recapture Munda. When offensive action proved impossible, the Japanese used the jungle to develop strong well concealed defenses that would delay the Americans for nearly a month and require substantial forces to reduce. Battle of Arundel Island On August 27, 1943 the U.S. Army 43rd Infantry Division, 172nd Infantry Regiment cross from the Ondongo peninsula of western New Georgia to land on the Nauro peninsula on southeastern of Arundel Island. Ashore, they began advancing to the westward and northward parallel to Hathorn Sound. On August 29, 1943 patrols from the 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Division continue to advance up the east and west coast without opposition. On September 1, 1943 the 172nd Infanty Regiment, 2nd Battalion enters Stima Lagoon and lands on northeast Arundel Island. On September 3, 1943 a patrol from the 172nd Inf advancing on the west coast reaches Bustling Point without enemy interference. On September 4, 1943 2d Bn of 172d Inf, 43d Div, lands on Stima Peninsula leaving Co G to contain enemy pocket at its base and advances northwest. Meanwhile the 1st Bn embarked at Nauro lands at Bustling Point and begins advancing to secure the entrance to Wana Wana Lagoon. On September 8, 1943 reinforcements land on Bustling Point. On September 11, 1943 another landing was made at the western tip of Bomboe peninsula that advanced eastward. On September 12, 1943 the Americans resumed the advance from the west. By September 14, 1943 the Japanese were compressed to the Stima peninsula area and continued to strongly defended. Reinforcements were required including two battalions of the 169th Infantry Regiment, one company of the 103d Infantry, B Company of the 82d Chemical Battalion using the new 4.2" mortar for the first time in the South Pacific. Also the 43d Reconnaissance Troop and thirteen U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) M3A1 Stuart tanks. On September 16, 1943 reinforcements were landed including thirteen U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) M3A1 Stuart tanks to support the 27th Infantry Regiment on the Bomboe peninsula. On September 17, 1943 they managed to push back the Japanese but two tanks were disabled by anti-tank gunfire including M3A1 Stuart. On September 18, 1943 a second attack was less effective and Co G, reinforced, from 103rd Inf arrives to reinforce 172d Inf's block at base of Stima Peninsula. Meanwhile, additional reinforements are sent to 3d Bn, 27th Inf on Sagekarasa. On September 19, 1943 all remaining tanks were employed in an attack against the Japanese perimeter and under the weight of American pressure and reinforcements, the defensive line began to crumble and during the night and into the early morning hours of September 20, 1943 General Sasaki ordered the remaining Japanese on Arundel to withdraw to Kolombangara Island. During the Battle of Arundel Island, the Japanese lost 345 killed and 500 wounded. Stima Lagoon Borders the northeast of Arundel Island. M3A1 Stuart Disabled September 17, 1943 by anti-tank gunfire References U.S. Army in World War II Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul Chapter X After Munda pages 172, 173, 175, 184- 185 (Arundel) HistoryOfWar - Battle of Arundel Island, 27 August-20 September 1943 Contribute
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