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 1988 via Rocker  USN 1944 |
Location Rendova PT Boat Base (Bau Island) was located in a cove on Bau Island inside Rendova Harbor off Rendova Island in Western Province in the Solomon Islands. To the west is Pau Island and Lumbaria Island with Rendova PT Boat Base (Lumbaria Island/Todd City). Wartime History On June 30, 1943 in the early morning, the U.S. "Western Invasion Force" began landing on northern Rendova Island. With the invasion force were twelve P. T. Boats from Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 9 (MTBS-9) under the command of Lt. Commander Kelly entered Rendova Harbor with orders to establish a temporary PT Boat base and to operate as directed by Commander Naval Base Rendova. During the day, the boats searched for a suitable location and were refueled using fuel drums lightered out by Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM). That evening, the PT Boats conducted their first mission from Rendova Harbor patrolling north of Rendova Island to the Roviana Lagoon to screen landing craft. Also to patrol east and west of Mbalumbalu Island in Blanche Channel to intercept Japanese forces expected to attempt to reinforce Viru Harbor and were advise no friendly vessels would be operating in the area. This patrol detected a large transport on radar and the first section of six P. T. Boats made a torpedo attack claiming multiple hits that caused it to sink. In fact, they sank USS McCawley (APA-4). During October 1943, developed into a U.S. Navy (USN) PT Boat base built by the 20th Naval Construction Battalion (20th NCB) "Seabees" who arrived from Viru Harbor and worked to improved docking facilities, built a camp area and warehouses. During March 1944, the 73rd Naval Construction Battalion (73rd NCB) "Seabees" added an engine warehouse, additional roads and fuel lines. References At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 115 Contribute
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