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    Toshien Harbor (Takao Harbor, Kaohsiung Harbor, Zuoying Harbor)  Formosa (Taiwan)
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CAG-80 Jan 21, 1945

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Edwin Fitchett 1946
Location
Toshien Harbor 左營軍港 borders Takao (Kaohsiung) in the Southern Taiwan Region on the southwest coast of Taiwan (Formosa). Also known as Takao Harbor. Today, known as Kaohsiung Harbor or Zuoying Harbor located in the Zuoying District, Southern Taiwan Region in Taiwan.

Wartime History
During the Pacific War, Takao Harbor was used by the Japanese Navy and cargo vessels. Starting in the middle of 1944 attacked by American bombers and fighters targeting Japanese shipping and sinking many vessels until the middle of August 1945.

American missions against Toshien Harbor (Takao Harbor)
June 29, 1944–August 12, 1945

Takao Seaplane Base
Located in Takao Harbor

Postwar
At the end of the Pacific War, Toshien Harbor was full of Japanese ships that were sunk or partially sunk and remained in the harbor into the late 1940s. Postwar, the harbor was quickly repaired for commercial usage and many Formosans laborers that became Prisoners of War at the end of the Pacific War were repatriated at this location during 1946.

Edwin Fitchett adds:
"This harbor is very familiar to me as it was the exact harbor I visited with the SS John L. Sullivan and unloaded 700 Formosan Prisoners of War in April 1946."

Today
Today, known as Kaohsiung Harbor or Zuoying Harbor and remains in use as a major port for cargo where most of Taiwan imports and exports pass.

References
NARA "USS Ticonderoga CV-14 Aircraft Action Report (AAR) No. 72 January 21, 1945 pages 182-187
Ed Fitchett's Army Memories 1945-1946 DVD includes footage of Takao Harbor with shipwrecks in 1946

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019

 

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