Location
Lat 1° 15' S Long 136° 22' E  Located at Mios Woendi, 10 miles south of Biak.

Construction
Originally, this site was selected as only a PT Boat supply and repair base, in favor of a base at Sorido Lagoon in Geelvink Bay at Biak. But, when fighting on Biak prevented development, Mios Woendi was selected as the only base instead.

Built by the US Navy after the island was occupied on June 2, 1944. Construction was begun by PT Advance Base 2, commanded by Lt. Commander Herman F. Straw, arriving June 6. The newly formed PT Advance Base Construction Detachment of the 113th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) commanded by Lt. Harold F. Liberty built the base, with a contingent of 2 officers and 55 enlisted men.

In record time, piers and base facilities were constructed. By late June, Liberty Ships with Base 21 arrived and repair facilities were added. Mios Woendi became the largest PT Boat base in New Guinea, with a water evaporator and tower, torpedo dump and PT Boat anchorage area.

Wartime History
PT boats from Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 12 and 18 arrived from Hollandia via Wakde arriving on June 6, 1944 supported by USS Oyster Bay. They began combat patrols on June 8. Later MTBS 21 arrived on June 11 and MTBS 9 arrived on June 19.

Naming Honors
Also known as "Base 21". After June 25, 1944, renamed "Camp Taylor" in honor of PT Boat captain Cyrus Taylor of PT-193 "Bitchin' Witch" who was wounded on June 24, 1944 and died the next day.

PT Boats based at Mios Woendi
MTBS 12 (PT Boats) June 6, 1944 - ?
MTBS 18 (PT Boats) June 6, 1944 - ?
MTBS 21 (PT Boats) June 11 - ?
MTBS 9 (PT Boats) June 19 - ?
MTBS 36 (PT Boats) September 1944
MTBS 13 (PT Boats) September 1944
MTBS 16 (PT Boats) September 1944

The first enemy action was June 12, when PT 326 departed for Biak, and was attacked by four Japanese aircraft within sight of Mios Woendi and dropped bombs. One aircraft was shot down, and the other planes attacked USS Kalk, but suffered a direct hit and claimed another shot down. PT Boats from the base rushed to the Kalk to remove the wounded and offer aid. That night, PT 190 and PT 146 claimed three barges sunk on the north coast of Biak.

During June, PT Boats from the base claimed 7 barges destroyed at Biak, 3 off Noemfoor and 3 near Manokwari. Also, patrolled eastward to Wakde, but these patrols proved unproductive. USN Catalinas and later RAAF Beauforts and Beaufighters assisted with searches, spotting targets during daytime hours.

On July 9, USS Oyster Bay, USS Portunus and USS Hilo moved to Mios Woendi to support PT Boat operations. PT Boats attempted to continuously patrol Korim Bay on the north coast of Biak. Also, worked with friendly natives to locate and attack concentrations of troops on shore. During July, PT Boats claimed 16 barges.

During August, PT Boats from the base claimed 26 barges destroyed. By September, operations were tapering off and only 8 barges were claimed, and 133 patrols conducted during July - August. During September - November, former prisoners of the Japanese including Javanese, Formosans and Indians were liberated and evacuated when reported by locals. During October - November 782 were evacuated aboard PT Boats.

On November 4, 1944 PT-301 was heavily damaged by an accidental explosion and was scrapped. Combat patrols from Mios Woendi ended on November 16.

Postwar
After the war, the Dutch continued to use the base area until thr 1961.

References
At Close Quarters pages 246-247, 250-259

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Last Updated
October 28, 2009