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    Cape Ward Hunt Oro Province Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Location
Cape Ward Hunt is located on the north coast of New Guinea. At the tip of Cape Ward Hunt is Deboin and borders Douglas Harbor. Named "Cape Ward Hunt" by Captain John Moresby in honor of George Ward Hunt, First Lord of the Admiralty (1874-1877). Offshore to the east is Mitre Rock. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Northern District in the Territory of Papua. Today located in Tamata Rural LLG in the Sohe District of Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Wartime History
During 1942-1943, Allied aircraft from Port Moresby would often rendezvous over Cape Ward Hunt on missions against Lae or Rabaul. Often air combat happened over this location during that period.

In the middle of December 1942 Japanese barges landed at the Mambare River traveled past Cape Ward Hunt on their southward toward Gona and in January-February 1943 while retreating northward.

During March - April 1943 the U.S. Navy briefly used Douglas Harbor as a PT Boat Base. During April - October 1944, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) established Radar Station No. 315 at Cape Ward Hunt.

RAAF Radar Station No. 315 (RS No. 315)
Radio station operated from April 12, 1943–October 4, 1944

B-26 "Dixie" Serial Number 40-1496
Pilot Cooper force landed August 7, 1942 crew survived

J1N1 Irving
Pilot Tokunaga crashed August 2, 1942

A6M2 Zero
Pilot Yoshino June 9, 1942

A6M2 Zero
Wreckage upside down

B-17E Flying Fortress Serial Number 41-2435
Pilot Watson crashed August 2, 1942 2-3 miles out to sea

A-20G Havoc Serial Number 42-54157
Pilot Brock crashed March 20, 1944

P-38G Lightning Serial Number 43-2271
Pilot Sibley MIA July 10, 1943

P-40N Warhawk 42-104991
Pilot Succop MIA October 17, 1943 near Cape Ward Hunt

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Last Updated
June 19, 2023

 

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