|
Location
Lat
8° 19' 0S Long 157° 15' 0E Located on the southern coast of New Georgia Island, north of Rendova Island.
Wartime History
Occupied by the Japanese on November 13, 1942 when the destroyer Hakazi landed three companies of the 6th Sasebo SNLF at Munda Point. Later reienforced by elements of the Japanese
Army's 229nd Infantry Regiment and 13th Regiment, commanded by Colonel Genjiro Hirata. During
the
initial American landings at nearby Rendova on
June 30, 1943 Japanese artillery guns in the area opened fire on
USN ships, but were quickly silenced.
Munda Airfield was the principal objective
of Central Solomons campaign. It was captured by the US Army XIV Corps forces after 12 continuous days
of fierce fighting in the jungle area. The high ground around the airfield including Kokengola Hill (Kokenggolol) fell on August 5, 1943.
Immediately, the Americans improved and expanded the airbase for American operations, and staging base. The US Army 24th Infantry, 3rd Battalion (African Americans) were assigned to Munda to operate the ration dump and perform labor tasks.
Munda
Airfield (Munda Point Airfield)
Japanese built airfield, recaptured by American forces and repaired and expanded into a major American base. Still in use today.
G3M2 Nell
Pilot Kondo Ditched December 28, 1942 off Munda
F6F Hellcat
Ditched off Munda.
F4U Corsair
Ditched off Munda. Located in 52m off Munda
R4D Dakota Serial
Number ? Tail Number J
90
Crashed near Munda
Zanana Beach (Laiana)
Located three miles east of Munda Airfield.
The American US Army 172nd Infantry landed here on the
July 2 - 3, 1943, as part of the "Western Landing
Force" of the New
Georgia campaign. Today, rusted metal rims from the
supply barrels still litter the beach.
US Barge
Abandoned east of Munda Airfield.
Kia
Located near Munda. A pile of war materials
known locally as "The American Dump" , beyond
the eastern tip of Kiambe. Aircraft parts, bulldozers, landing craft,
Japanese guns and other war debris. Quonson Huts are located on the
shore, used for drying copra.
AMTRAC
Sunk offshore of the dump, in 2m of water.
Pontoon Barges
Four barges remain half submerged along Kia.
Kaimbe
Island
One of the small islands, just of shore Kia, near Munda.
Contribute
Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?
Last Updated
January 11, 2010
|
