Battle of Goodenough Island
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Goodenough Island (Operation Drake) was the Allied
invasion of Goodenough Island
, Papua during World War II
, in the South West Pacific Area
to deny the Imperial Japanese the ability to use the island prior to the Buna campaign. The island was occupied by the Allies on 24 October 1942 after a short but heavy fight, with mopping up operations continuing until 27 October. The 2/12th Battalion was chosen as the unit to undertake the attack and was known as "Drake Force".
situated just to the north east of Papua, between Buna
and Milne Bay
was strategically important for the upcoming Buna campaign and future campaigns in Papua, New Guinea
and New Britain
and construction of an airfield on the island would provide support those operations and provide protection to Milne Bay which was becoming a major staging and base area for the Allied forces. The island is roughly circular in shape, measuring 39 by with an area of 687 square kilometres (265.3 sq mi) and a shoreline of 116 kilometres (72.1 mi). From a coastal belt varying in width from 2 to 10 km (1.2 to 6.2 ) in width, the island rises sharply to the summit of Mount Vineuo, 2536 metres (8,320.2 ft) above sea level.
supplemented by a few engineers of the 14th and 15th Pioneer Units (Setsueitai), led by Commander Tsukioka Torashige bound for Taupota and participation in the Battle of Milne Bay
, was stranded on Goodenough Island on 25 August 1942. The motorized landing craft they were being transported in were destroyed while beached by P-40 Kittyhawks of the Royal Australian Air Force
's No. 75 Squadron
. After the failure of the Japanese to capture Milne Bay and the evacuation of the majority of those forces, the Japanese on Goodenough was now the largest un-subdued Japanese force close to Milne Bay.
Final planning for the Buna campaign was underway and by November the offensive would be underway, with the attack on Buna planned along a three-pronged attack on the Buna and Gona. One advance would pass close to Goodenough Island, so General Douglas MacArthur
decided to attack the island to guard the flanks of the main attack.
's 2/12th Battalion
of the 18th Brigade
, led by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Arnold was selected to invade the island. Boarding the Royal Australian Navy
destroyers HMAS Stuart and HMAS Arunta
on the 22 October, the troops were transported to Goodenough Island escorted by Task Force 44
. Arriving at night of 22 October the battalion was landed on both sides of the island’s southern tip. Meanwhile, 60 Japanese troops were rescued by a submarine which also brought food and ammunition for the remaining 290 troops. It was planned to trap the Japanese troops between the two forces. A force of 520 troops of the 2/12th Battalion commanded by Arnold, landed at Mud Bay, while a smaller force of 120 men commanded by under Major Keith Gatewood, landed at Taleba Bay.
The landing at Mud Bay had been observed by the Japanese and the Japanese set up defences and sent out patrols. In the morning of 23 October between 03:00 and 03:30 a small party of Japanese encroached the 2/12th Battalion's Mud Bay perimeter and gunfire was exchanged, with the body of a Japanese Warrant Officer found nearby. The force pushed toward Kilia from Mud Bay, however could make little progress at night due to the steep terrain and heavy rain. Sporadic enemy resistance and jungle slowed their progress and were still a mile away from Kilia on 24 October.
The 2/12 Battalion landing at Taleba Bay took a Japanese machine-gun position at about 06:00. Two platoons were sent south and were engaged by Japanese forces. The Japanese were driven beyond Niubulu Creek, however a heavy Japanese counterattack from the north at 09:00 caused casualties amongst the Australians and almost caused the force to be cut off between two Japanese forces and withdrew from the area. Suffered six killed, ten wounded and three missing the force continued to fall back pursued by the Japanese and came under mortar and machine-gun fire. Without communications a runner was sent to the force commanded by Arnold, however faced with being overrun Gatewood withdrew the force to Taleba Bay and was transported to Mud Bay aboard HMAS Stuart.
On the 24 October, the Japanese radioed Rabaul stating that the attack had been repulsed and inflicted heavy casualties and also stated that they had suffered seventeen killed or wounded, including Tsukioka. Arnold launched an attack on Kilia at 09:10 hours, however was not able to take the village. Japanese air support provided reconnaissance of the Australian positions and Zero
s strafed the Australian positions near Mud Bay as well as the ketch McLaren King in Mud Bay, which had wounded onboard and further casualties were caused.
With the Australian forces not able to move forward, the Japanese withdrew and were transported to Fergusson Island
with their equipment and supplies on two motorized landing craft and a punt, arriving at dawn on the 25 October on Fergusson Island, where they were later collected by the cruiser Tenryū
and the submarine I-1
. The 2/12th Battalion advanced from Kilia to Galaiwai Bay, meeting no resistance and only encountered a number of Japanese fleeing into the jungle. The remaining Japanese defenders were mopped up and the island declared secured by 27 October.
on the night of 28–29 December, joining the attack on Buna on 31 December.
Due to the strategic importance of the island for the forthcoming operations against the Imperial Japanese forces in the South West Pacific Area, the small Australian occupation force used deception and camouflage to make the Japanese believe that a brigade-sized force was occupying the island. They fabricated dummy structures including a hospital, anti-aircraft guns constructed of simple logs pointed at the sky, and barricades of jungle vines which looked like barbed wire. They also lit fires to appear as cooking fires for large numbers of soldiers, and sent messages consistent with what a brigade of soldiers would be expected to send. The force was able to keep the Japanese at bay until reinforcements arrived. The mission airstrip on the island at Vivigani, was developed into Vivigani Airfield
, an airfield for Australian and American aircraft. The island became a staging point and supply base for operations in New Guinea and New Britain.
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
invasion of Goodenough Island
Goodenough Island
Goodenough Island in the Solomon Sea is the westernmost of the three large islands of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands in Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. It lies to the east of mainland New Guinea and south west of the Trobriand Islands.It should not be confused with Goodenough's Island...
, Papua during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in the South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area was the name given to the Allied supreme military command in the South West Pacific Theatre of World War II. It was one of four major Allied commands in the Pacific theatres of World War II, during 1942–45...
to deny the Imperial Japanese the ability to use the island prior to the Buna campaign. The island was occupied by the Allies on 24 October 1942 after a short but heavy fight, with mopping up operations continuing until 27 October. The 2/12th Battalion was chosen as the unit to undertake the attack and was known as "Drake Force".
Geography
Goodenough IslandGoodenough Island
Goodenough Island in the Solomon Sea is the westernmost of the three large islands of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands in Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. It lies to the east of mainland New Guinea and south west of the Trobriand Islands.It should not be confused with Goodenough's Island...
situated just to the north east of Papua, between Buna
Buna
Buna may refer to the official Mbum language of Cameroon, as well as:People:*Buna Lawrie, an Australian Aboriginal musician.Places:*Buna village, a small Bosnia and Herzegovina village at the confluence of the Buna and Neretva rivers...
and Milne Bay
Milne Bay
Milne Bay is a large bay in Milne Bay Province, southeastern Papua New Guinea. The bay is named after Sir Alexander Milne.The area was a site of the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942....
was strategically important for the upcoming Buna campaign and future campaigns in Papua, New Guinea
Territory of New Guinea
The Territory of New Guinea was the Australia-controlled, League of Nations-mandated territory in the north eastern part of the island of New Guinea, and surrounding islands, between 1920 and 1949...
and New Britain
New Britain
New Britain, or Niu Briten, is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from the island of New Guinea by the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits and from New Ireland by St. George's Channel...
and construction of an airfield on the island would provide support those operations and provide protection to Milne Bay which was becoming a major staging and base area for the Allied forces. The island is roughly circular in shape, measuring 39 by with an area of 687 square kilometres (265.3 sq mi) and a shoreline of 116 kilometres (72.1 mi). From a coastal belt varying in width from 2 to 10 km (1.2 to 6.2 ) in width, the island rises sharply to the summit of Mount Vineuo, 2536 metres (8,320.2 ft) above sea level.
Military Situation
A convoy of troops of 353 marines of 5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force
The 5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force were troops of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Special Naval Landing Forces.Formed at the Sasebo Naval District, the 5th Sasebo SNLF participated in the invasion of Buna-Gona, the Guadalcanal Campaign and the battle of Milne Bay.-References:*Nila, Gary, et al...
supplemented by a few engineers of the 14th and 15th Pioneer Units (Setsueitai), led by Commander Tsukioka Torashige bound for Taupota and participation in the Battle of Milne Bay
Battle of Milne Bay
The Battle of Milne Bay, also known as Operation RE by the Japanese, was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines attacked the Australian base at Milne Bay on the eastern tip of New Guinea on 25 August 1942, and fighting continued until the Japanese retreated on 5...
, was stranded on Goodenough Island on 25 August 1942. The motorized landing craft they were being transported in were destroyed while beached by P-40 Kittyhawks of the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
's No. 75 Squadron
No. 75 Squadron RAAF
No. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter unit based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II, operating P-40 Kittyhawks. It was disbanded in 1948, but reformed the...
. After the failure of the Japanese to capture Milne Bay and the evacuation of the majority of those forces, the Japanese on Goodenough was now the largest un-subdued Japanese force close to Milne Bay.
Final planning for the Buna campaign was underway and by November the offensive would be underway, with the attack on Buna planned along a three-pronged attack on the Buna and Gona. One advance would pass close to Goodenough Island, so General Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
decided to attack the island to guard the flanks of the main attack.
Battle
The Australian armyAustralian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
's 2/12th Battalion
2/12th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/12th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army which served during World War II. Raised in late 1939 as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, the battalion served throughout the course of the war in the United Kingdom, North Africa, New Guinea and on...
of the 18th Brigade
18th Brigade (Australia)
The 18th Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Australian Army, which served during the Second World War. The brigade was raised on 13 October 1939 and was one of the first three infantry brigades of the Second Australian Imperial Force to be formed. Initially commanded by Brigadier Leslie...
, led by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Arnold was selected to invade the island. Boarding the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
destroyers HMAS Stuart and HMAS Arunta
HMAS Arunta (I30)
HMAS Arunta was a Tribal class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Named for the Arrernte Aborigines, the destroyer was laid down in 1939 and commissioned into the RAN in 1942....
on the 22 October, the troops were transported to Goodenough Island escorted by Task Force 44
Task Force 44
Task Force 44 was an Allied naval task force during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. The task force consisted of warships from the Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy and was generally assigned as a striking force to defend northeast Australia and the surrounding area from any...
. Arriving at night of 22 October the battalion was landed on both sides of the island’s southern tip. Meanwhile, 60 Japanese troops were rescued by a submarine which also brought food and ammunition for the remaining 290 troops. It was planned to trap the Japanese troops between the two forces. A force of 520 troops of the 2/12th Battalion commanded by Arnold, landed at Mud Bay, while a smaller force of 120 men commanded by under Major Keith Gatewood, landed at Taleba Bay.
The landing at Mud Bay had been observed by the Japanese and the Japanese set up defences and sent out patrols. In the morning of 23 October between 03:00 and 03:30 a small party of Japanese encroached the 2/12th Battalion's Mud Bay perimeter and gunfire was exchanged, with the body of a Japanese Warrant Officer found nearby. The force pushed toward Kilia from Mud Bay, however could make little progress at night due to the steep terrain and heavy rain. Sporadic enemy resistance and jungle slowed their progress and were still a mile away from Kilia on 24 October.
The 2/12 Battalion landing at Taleba Bay took a Japanese machine-gun position at about 06:00. Two platoons were sent south and were engaged by Japanese forces. The Japanese were driven beyond Niubulu Creek, however a heavy Japanese counterattack from the north at 09:00 caused casualties amongst the Australians and almost caused the force to be cut off between two Japanese forces and withdrew from the area. Suffered six killed, ten wounded and three missing the force continued to fall back pursued by the Japanese and came under mortar and machine-gun fire. Without communications a runner was sent to the force commanded by Arnold, however faced with being overrun Gatewood withdrew the force to Taleba Bay and was transported to Mud Bay aboard HMAS Stuart.
On the 24 October, the Japanese radioed Rabaul stating that the attack had been repulsed and inflicted heavy casualties and also stated that they had suffered seventeen killed or wounded, including Tsukioka. Arnold launched an attack on Kilia at 09:10 hours, however was not able to take the village. Japanese air support provided reconnaissance of the Australian positions and Zero
A6M Zero
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a long-range fighter aircraft operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the , and also designated as the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen and Mitsubishi Navy 12-shi Carrier Fighter. The A6M was usually referred to by the...
s strafed the Australian positions near Mud Bay as well as the ketch McLaren King in Mud Bay, which had wounded onboard and further casualties were caused.
With the Australian forces not able to move forward, the Japanese withdrew and were transported to Fergusson Island
Fergusson Island
Fergusson Island is the largest island of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, in Papua New Guinea. It has an area of just over 500 square miles , and mostly consists of mountainous regions, covered by rain forests...
with their equipment and supplies on two motorized landing craft and a punt, arriving at dawn on the 25 October on Fergusson Island, where they were later collected by the cruiser Tenryū
Japanese cruiser Tenryu
was the lead ship in the two-ship of light cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Tenryū was named after the Tenryū River in Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures.-Background:...
and the submarine I-1
Japanese submarine I-1
The Japanese submarine I-1 was a J1 type submarine built by Kawasaki, Kobe, for the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was a large cruiser submarine displacing 2,135 tons and was the lead of four boats built in the class....
. The 2/12th Battalion advanced from Kilia to Galaiwai Bay, meeting no resistance and only encountered a number of Japanese fleeing into the jungle. The remaining Japanese defenders were mopped up and the island declared secured by 27 October.
Aftermath
Australian losses were 13 killed and 19 wounded. The Japanese had suffered 39 killed, with 20 killed and 15 wounded during the battle and the others were troops left behind and others killed in action prior to the Australian landing. Of those behind two Japanese died of disease months later and Shigeki Yokota was taken prisoner in July 1943. The attack by the 2/12th had not worked to plan, with the Japanese fighting until being able to be evacuated. The 2/12th Battalion remained on the island until the end of December, eventually being shipped to Oro BayOro Bay
Oro Bay is a bay in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, located southeast of Buna. The bay is located within the larger Dyke Ackland Bay. A port is operated by PNG Ports Corporation Limited with limited wharf facilities.-History:...
on the night of 28–29 December, joining the attack on Buna on 31 December.
Due to the strategic importance of the island for the forthcoming operations against the Imperial Japanese forces in the South West Pacific Area, the small Australian occupation force used deception and camouflage to make the Japanese believe that a brigade-sized force was occupying the island. They fabricated dummy structures including a hospital, anti-aircraft guns constructed of simple logs pointed at the sky, and barricades of jungle vines which looked like barbed wire. They also lit fires to appear as cooking fires for large numbers of soldiers, and sent messages consistent with what a brigade of soldiers would be expected to send. The force was able to keep the Japanese at bay until reinforcements arrived. The mission airstrip on the island at Vivigani, was developed into Vivigani Airfield
Vivigani Airfield
Vivigani Airfield was an airstrip at Vivigani on Goodenough Island, part of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands in Papua New Guinea.-World War II:The Australian 2/12th Battalion reached Vivigani on 27 October 1942, occupying the island after defeating the Imperial Japanese troops marooned on the island...
, an airfield for Australian and American aircraft. The island became a staging point and supply base for operations in New Guinea and New Britain.
Ground Forces
- 2/12th Battalion2/12th Battalion (Australia)The 2/12th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army which served during World War II. Raised in late 1939 as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, the battalion served throughout the course of the war in the United Kingdom, North Africa, New Guinea and on...
- 2/5th Field Ambulance
- No. 2 Anti-aircraft Platoon
- Detachment J, Section Signals, 7th Division
- Transport Platoon
- Detachment Mortars
- Detachment Australian Army Service Corps
- Captain Burkholder (United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Service of Supply, New Guinea) - Lieutenant Humphrey (8th Fighter Group, United States Army Air ForcesUnited States Army Air ForcesThe United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
)
Naval Forces
- Task Force 44Task Force 44Task Force 44 was an Allied naval task force during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. The task force consisted of warships from the Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy and was generally assigned as a striking force to defend northeast Australia and the surrounding area from any...
(Covering Force)- Cruiser
- USS PhoenixUSS Phoenix (CL-46)USS Phoenix , a Brooklyn-class light cruiser, was the third Phoenix of the United States Navy. After World War II the ship was transferred to Argentina in 1951 and was ultimately renamed the General Belgrano. General Belgrano was sunk during the Falklands War in 1982 by the British nuclear-powered...
(flagship)
- USS Phoenix
- Destroyers
- USS BagleyUSS Bagley (DD-386)USS Bagley , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Ensign Worth Bagley, officer during the Spanish-American War, distinguished as the only U.S...
- USS SelfridgeUSS Selfridge (DD-357)The second USS Selfridge was a in the United States Navy. She named for Rear Admiral Thomas O. Selfridge and his son, Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr...
- USS MugfordUSS Mugford (DD-389)USS Mugford , a Bagley-class destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for James Mugford, who commanded the schooner Franklin in the Continental Navy, serving through 1775.-Construction:...
- USS Bagley
- Cruiser
- Transport Force
- HMAS AruntaHMAS Arunta (I30)HMAS Arunta was a Tribal class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Named for the Arrernte Aborigines, the destroyer was laid down in 1939 and commissioned into the RAN in 1942....
- HMAS Stuart
- Ketch Matona
- Ketch McLaren King
- Ketch Tierno
- 3 captured Japanese barges
- 2 power driven whale boats
- HMAS Arunta
Japanese Forces
- 5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing ForceThe 5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force were troops of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Special Naval Landing Forces.Formed at the Sasebo Naval District, the 5th Sasebo SNLF participated in the invasion of Buna-Gona, the Guadalcanal Campaign and the battle of Milne Bay.-References:*Nila, Gary, et al...
- detachment 14th Pioneer Unit
- detachment 15th Pioneer Unit