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    Kavieng Harbor (Kawieng Harbor) New Ireland PNG

Click For Enlargement
Claude Gibson 2001

Lat 2° 34' 0S Long 150° 48' 0E  Located at the western tip of New Ireland, bordering Kavieng town. The harbor includes Nusa Island.

Kavieng Warph
The order to kill all the European prisoners in Kavieng if an imminent invasion by Allied forces was expected, was given by Rear Admiral Ryukichi Tamura, commander at Kavieng. Sometime in early 1944, (possibly late February or mid-March 1944) at least 25 unnamed Australian civilians were murdered on the Kavieng wharf. At dusk they were led, blindfold, one at a time, from the road to the edge of the wharf and garroted with wire, including 14 year old David Topal. The bodies were put in two small barges, with concrete blocks tied to their feet, and thrown overboard between Nago and Edmago islands.

After the war, Admiral Tamura went on trial with five of his subordinates in 1947 in Hong Kong. he law for War Crimes permitted only British deaths to be prosecuted and the others, some German priests and other non British civilians were not mentioned. While many of the names can be guessed at, it is not known exactly who died on the day.

Kavieng Seaplane Base
Japanese seaplane anchorage off Kavieng

B-25D "Gremlins Holiday" 41-30041
Pilot Cavin ditched February 15, 1944 rescued by PBY "Arkansas Traveler" 08139

B-25C "Pissonit" 41-30370
Pilot Bensonm ditched February 15, 1944 rescued by PBY "Arkansas Traveler" 08139

B-25D Mitchell 41-30531
Pilot Cavoli ditched February 15, 1944 rescued by PBY "Arkansas Traveler" 08139

Unknown Japanese Freighter
Sunk in Kavieng Harbor

Aichi E13A Jake
Sunk in Kavieng Harbor, likely at its mooring

Aichi E13A Jake
Sunk in Kavieng Harbor, likely at its mooring

Aichi E13A Jake
Sunk between New Hanover and Tsoi Island

Mitsubishi F1M2 Pete
"Deep Pete", likely sunk at its mooring

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

 

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