Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
    Raluana Point (Ralauna Point, Schulze Point) East New Britain Province Papua New Guinea
Location
Lat 4° 17' 60S Long 152° 13' 0E  Raluana Point is an inverted "V" shaped outcropping including Raluana (Ralauna) on the Gazelle Peninsula at the northeastern tip of New Britain Island that separates Blanche Bay to the east and Karavia Bay to the west and Simpson Harbor and Rabaul to the north. During the German administration this feature was named "Schulze Point". This name remained in use on maps until the prewar era and also during the Pacific War. Also spelled Ralauna Point. To the west is Raluana. The Kokopo-Rabaul road connects Raluana with Karavia to the east and Raburua. Between 1884 until September 1914 part of Deutsch Neu Guinea (German New Guinea). Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Wartime History
On January 23, 1942 after midnight, the Japanese Army's "South Seas Detachment" including the 144th Infantry Regiment landed and several places around the Rabaul including Raluana Point. During the Pacific War, the Japanese built a coastal defense gun battery at this location.

On February 18, 1944 during the Battle of Karavia Bay five U.S. Navy (USN) destroyers fire 56 rounds of 5" shells at a gun battery at Raluana. During March 1944 to April 1944 targeted by Allied bombers and fighters.

American missions against Raluana
February 18, 1944–April 2, 1944

Occupied by the Japanese until the end of the Pacific War until the official surrender of Japan in September 1945.

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

Last Updated
August 1, 2021

 

Map
Map
Nov 2, 1943


Map
Map
Fallingrain
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram