Location
Lat 9° 4' 0S Long 148° 34' 0E  Located 40 miles from Buna, and about 10 miles from Oro Bay.Village on the north coast of New Guinea on Dyke Acland Bay.

Wartime History
This area was a staging area for the battles of Buna / Gona. Both American and Australian infantry units staged thru Pongani before entering battle in the Buna area offensives, included the US 32nd Infantry Division's 128th and 126th Infantry Regiments - National Guardsmen from Michigan and Wisconsin, then commanded by Major General Edwin E. Harding.

Pongani US Army Supply Dump
US Army 32nd Infantry Division's 128th Infantry Regiment established its supply dump at Pongani. Since there was no wharf or pier, supplies were unloaded at night and taken aboard smaller boats or native canoes ashore.  As Japanese air power was still in the area, Allied boats fled by dawn.

Pongani Airfield
Built by Americans in late October 1942 to support the Buna / Gona campaign, disused today.

OA-10 Catalina Serial Number 43-3262
Pilot Smith crashed October 15, 1943 discovered 1944

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 25, 2012