Located off the coast of northern New Guinea.

The Battle of the Bismarck Sea in early March, the RAAF and USAAF destroyed a Japanese convoy from Rabaul was sent to reinforce Lae. All eight transports and four of eight escorting destroyers were sunk, most south-east of Finschafen. Nearly 3,000 Japanese were killed and only 850 troops of the troops were landed to reinforce Lae. The battle was signifigant as it was conducted entirely with Allied aircraft only, and saw the use of new tactics for attacking ships, including low-level strikes and skip bombing.

P-38G Serial Number 42-12715
Pilot Shifflet, shot down March 3, 1943 during Battle of Bismarck Sea

B-17F "Ka-Puhio-Wela" Serial Number 41-24356
Pilot Moore, shot down March 3, 1943 during Battle of Bismarck Sea

Kyokusei Maru
Sunk March 2, 1943 during Battle of Bismarck Sea

Aiyo Maru
Sunk March 3, 1943 during Battle of Bismarck Sea

Oikawa Maru
Cargo 6,493 tons sunk 30 miles SE of Finschafen March 3, 1943

Teiyo Maru
Cargo 6,801 tons

Taimei Maru
Cargo 2,883 tons

Seinai Maru
Cargo 3,793 tons

Kembu Maru
Cargo 954 tons carrying gasoline

Arashio
Destroyer 2,370 tons

Asashio
Destroyer 2,370 tons

Shirayuki
Destroyer 2,090 tons

Tokitsukaze
Destroyer 2,490

Nojima (Noshima)
Fleet Oiler  & Supply 8,750 tons