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  USN Dec 17, 1942  USN January 5, 1943  USAAF October 11, 1943  Iain Williams 1998  Justin Taylan 2003 |
Location The Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base was located in the Tuha Channel (Tuha Bay) bordering Shortland Harbor in the Shortland Islands. The base bordered Shortland Island and Korovou (Korouvo) to the north, northwest and west. Poporang Island is located to the east and south. Magusaiai is to the west-southwest. To the northeast is Shortland Harbor and Faisi Island. Inside Tuha Channel is Kerunepua Island. Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base was located in the Tuha Channel between Shortland, Poporang and Faisi bordering Shortland Harbor. Known to the Japanese as "Shi-you-to-ran-do Hakuchi". The Allied referred to this location as "Shortlands Seaplane Base" or "Faisi Seaplane Base". Both names refer to the same location. Construction On March 30, 1942 around 2:00am Japanese vessels entered Shortland Harbor and landed two Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) platoons in the early morning and met no resistance. At 10:00am, an Allied aircraft was observed overhead. The other platoon returned to the ships around 4pm and departed for Kieta. One platoon remained at Shortland to begin establishing Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base. The seaplane takeoff and landing area was located at the mouth of Tuha Channel and Shortland Harbor, with the direction varying depending on the direction of the wind. Moorings for seaplanes were established off Shortland Island, Poporang Island and Faisi Island with additional moorings in nearby Kulitunai Bay. During 1942-1943, supporting shore facilities were established at Nila on Poporang Island including a rectangular seaplane ramp and prewar pier. Another seaplane ramp was located at Lofang (Lofung) on the northern shore of Kulitunai Bay. The area was defended by anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, naval guns, search lights and radar on Poporang Island, Shortland Island and Faisi Island. Wartime History The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Eighth Fleet Headquarters at Bougainville established the "R-Area Air Force" (Homen Koku Butai) on August 28, 1942 the with seaplane bases at Shortland Harbor (Tuha Channel) and a forward base at Rekata Seaplane Base. Commanded by Rear Admiral Jojima Takatsuga, C. O. of the 11th Seaplane Tender Division, formed the squadrons of four seaplane tenders into two Hikokitai (ad hoc air groups). These two hikokitai aircraft, which would eventually be expanded and combined to become the IJN Eleventh Ku, were equipped with three types of aircraft: Aichi E13A1 Type 0 (Jake), Mitsubishi F1M2 Type 0 (Pete) and A6M2-N Type 2 (Rufe). Between September 4, 1942 until November 7, 1942 the unit flew 360 sorties in 211 separate missions claiming 14 victories and one probable for the loss of nine pilots. Japanese units based at Shortland Seaplane Base R-Area Air Force (Homen Koku Butai) August 28, 1942–April 1, 1943 14th Koktuai (H6K Mavis) November 1, 1942 851 Kokutai (H6K Mavis) September 42 - March 43 802 Ku (A6M2-N Rufe) January 1943–March 1943 to Marshals Kamikawa Maru (A6M2-N, C. O. Lt. Ono Jiro) Sept 4, 1942–Nov 7, 1942 938 Kōkūtai (A6M2-N) activated March 1, 1943 Kunikawa Maru (F1M2 Pete) August 1942–March 1, 1943 becomes 938 Kokutai then Rabaul/Kavieng 958 Kokutai (F1M2 Pete, E13A1 Jake) Rabaul November 42 - August 43 Rabaul During late 1942, Shortland Harbor was attacked by American bombers and fighters. Photographic reconnaissance flights detected the presence of seaplanes at this location as early as January 1943. On March 17, 1943 the seaplane base was detected by photographic reconnaissance. Allied missions against Shortland Harbor (Tuha Channel) October 16, 1942–May 15, 1944 In the months before the U.S. landing at Torokina on Bougainville on November 1, 1943 the Shortland area was targeted to suppress the Japanese and give them the false impression the Shortlands would be the landing location. After November 1, 1943 the Shortlands was bypassed with the garrison cut off from resupply, reinforcement or retreat. Some Japanese attempted to use improvised rafts to reach southern Bougainville. Allied bombers and fighters continued flying bombing and strafing missions until May 1944. Japanese forces occupied the Shortland area until the official surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. Postwar At the end of the Pacific War, the Shortland area fell under the jurisdiction of the Australian Army. The surviving Japanese became Prisoners Of War (POWs) and were transported to Fauro Island where they were detained until repatriated to Japan. Today Since the Pacific War, disused as a seaplane base. H6K2 Mavis Sunk off Poporang Island, broken wreckage H6K2 Mavis E13A1 Jake E13A1 Jake References Contribute
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