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| Location Kana Kopa PT Boat Base was located at Kana Kopa at the southeastern end of Milne Bay. Also known as PT Boat Advance Base Six (PT Boat Advance Base 6) or simply Base 6. Wartime History In the middle of 1942, at the conclusion of the Battle of Milne Bay, the Kana Kopa area was developed into an anchorage for small vessels with shore facilities at Kana Kopa. On December 11, 1942 the U.S. Navy (USN) as Base 6 to support PT Boat operations but development was hampered by heavy mud due and rain. By February 1943, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 12 (MTBRon 12) operated from Kana Kopa. On May 23, 1943 the 55th Naval Construction Battalion (55th NCB) "Seabees" arrives and begins expanding the base. Despite adverse weather and conditions, after five weeks of effort they expanded the base with housing quarters for 800 personnel, shops, storehouses, quonset huts, 3 x 15,000 gallon water tanks, timber wharf, two pontoon dry docks and an engine overhaul facility. By August 1943, PT Boat operations moved northward to Buna and then Morobe PT Boat Base. On October 18, 1943 Base 4 at Cairns was moved to Kana Kopa and later absorbed into Base 6. During October 1944, Division 17 arrived at Kano Kopa for overhaul. On June 15, 1944 Kana Kopa PT Boat Base was disbanded and all remaining personnel and facilities were moved to Dreger Harbor PT Boat Base at Dregerhaffen Harbor (Dreger Harbor) near Finschafen. Afterwards, only the main engine overhaul shop remained in operation but was consolidated with other U.S. Navy repair facilities at Ladava. References At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 176, 177 (photo), 178, 198, 206, 213, 247 Contribute Information Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 17, 2025 |
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