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  USN 1944  GE 2008 |
Location Lat 1° 15' S Long 136° 22' E Mios Woendi PT Boat Base is located at Mios Woendi. Ten miles to the north is Biak Island. Also known as "Base 21" or "Camp Taylor". Prewar and during the Pacific War located in Dutch New Guinea (DNG) in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Today, located in the Biak Numfor Regency in Papua Province of Indonesia. Construction Originally, this site was selected as a PT Boat supply and repair base, in favor of a location at Sorido Lagoon in Geelvink Bay (Cenderawasih Bay) off Biak Island. But, when fighting on Biak prevented development, Mios Woendi was selected as the only base instead. Built by the US Navy after the island was occupied on June 2, 1944. Construction was begun by PT Advance Base 2, commanded by Lt. Commander Herman F. Straw, arriving June 6. The newly formed PT Advance Base Construction Detachment of the 113th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) commanded by Lt. Harold F. Liberty built the base, with a contingent of 2 officers and 55 enlisted men. In record time, piers and base facilities were constructed. By late June, Liberty Ships with Base 21 arrived and repair facilities were added. Mios Woendi became the largest PT Boat base in New Guinea, with a water evaporator and tower, torpedo dump and PT Boat anchorage area. Wartime History Mios Woendi was used as a PT boats for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 12 and Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 18 arrived from Hollandia via Wakde arriving on June 6, 1944 supported by USS Oyster Bay. They began combat patrols on June 8. Later, MTBS 21 arrived on June 11 and MTBS 9 arrived on June 19, 1944. On June 12, 1944 within view of Mois Woendi PT Boat Bae, USS Kalk (DD-611) was bombed by Japanese aircraft that scored a direct hit causing heavy damage with many casualties aboard. Every PT boat including PT-190 and PT-191 rendered aid to the destroyer. Naming Honors After June 25, 1944, renamed "Camp Taylor" in honor of PT Boat captain Cyrus Taylor of PT-193 "Bitchin' Witch" who was wounded on June 24, 1944 and died the next day. PT Boats based at Mios Woendi MTBS 12 (PT Boats) June 6, 1944 MTBS 18 (PT Boats) June 6, 1944 MTBS 21 (PT Boats) June 11, 1944 MTBS 9 (PT Boats) June 19, 1944 MTBS 10 (PT Boats) June 1944 MTBS 36 (PT Boats) September 1944 MTBS 13 (PT Boats) September 1944 MTBS 16 (PT Boats) September 1944 The first enemy action was June 12, when PT 326 departed for Biak, and was attacked by four Japanese aircraft within sight of Mios Woendi and dropped bombs. One aircraft was shot down, and the other planes attacked USS Kalk, but suffered a direct hit and claimed another shot down. PT Boats from the base rushed to the Kalk to remove the wounded and offer aid. That night, PT 190 and PT 146 claimed three barges sunk on the north coast of Biak. During June, PT Boats from the base claimed 7 barges destroyed at Biak, 3 off Noemfoor and 3 near Manokwari. Also, patrolled eastward to Wakde, but these patrols proved unproductive. USN Catalinas and later RAAF Beauforts and Beaufighters assisted with searches, spotting targets during daytime hours. On July 9, 1944 USS Oyster Bay, USS Portunus and USS Hilo (AGP-2) anchored at Mios Woendi to support operations at PT Boat at Milos Woendi . PT Boats attempted to continuously patrol Korim Bay on the north coast of Biak. Also, worked with friendly natives to locate and attack concentrations of troops on shore. During July, PT Boats claimed 16 barges. During August, PT Boats from the base claimed 26 barges destroyed. By September, operations were tapering off and only 8 barges were claimed, and 133 patrols conducted during July - August. During September - November, former prisoners of the Japanese including Javanese, Formosans and Indians were liberated and evacuated when reported by locals. During October - November 782 were evacuated aboard PT Boats. On November 4, 1944 PT-301 was heavily damaged by an accidental explosion and was scrapped. Combat patrols from Mios Woendi ended on November 16. Postwar References Contribute
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