Operation Chronicle
Encyclopedia
Operation Chronicle was the Allied invasion of Woodlark
and Kiriwina Islands
during World War II
, in the South West Pacific as part of Operation Cartwheel
. An early planning name for this operation was Operation Coronet. The operation was executed without opposition on June 30, 1943.
's Sixth Army headquarters in Brisbane
, Australia
. General MacArthur gave command of the landings to Krueger as well as responsibility for the co-ordination of ground, air, and naval planning. Woodlark and Kiriwina were required as future airfield sites to support operations in both New Guinea
, New Britain
and the Solomon Islands
. The invasion was the first amphibious movement undertaken in the South West Pacific Area
, with planning thorough and comprehensive which became standing operating procedure for future invasions.
Air support for the operation was split between the United States Army Air Force V Bomber Command
and the Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) 1st Tactical Air Force and No. 9 Operational Group
. The V Bomber Command was to bomb the Japanese airfields at Rabaul
, each night from 25 through 30 June and be called upon to support the invasion fleet and close infantry support as required. The RAAF was to provide fighter cover as requested.
Reconnaissance parties landed on Woodlark and Kiriwina in May and reported that there were no Japanese troops at present occupying the islands. Due to a delay in gathering the units assigned to the operation together, as they were spread across the north of Australia and New Guinea D-Day was set for 30 June 1943. A RAAF LW-AW radar unit, No. 305 Radar Station arrived at Kiriwina Island on 17 May and was operational the next day, providing advance warning of airborne threats.
The landings took place in conjunction with the landing at Nassau Bay
, Papua New Guinea and the landing on Rendova
, New Georgia
.
under the command of Major D. M. McMains, left Milne Bay at 1600 on 22 June 1943 aboard the destroyer transports
Brooks
and Humphreys
to Woodlark. Arriving at Guasopa
Harbour at 0032 on 23 June landing in six Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramped) (LCP(R)). The destroyer transports left at 0400 for Milne Bay. An Australian coastwatcher, not having been informed of the landing, almost attacked the landing force with his native guerrilla force until overhearing the troops' broad accents. The advance party undertook reconnaissance, established defenses and facilities for the invasion force and cleared obstructions on the landing beaches.
The 158th Infantry Regiment
advanced party, with a detachment of the 59th Combat Engineer Company and the 158th Infantry Regiment's communication platoon, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Floyd G. Powell, departed Milne Bay at 1810 on 23 June aboard the returned Brooks and Humphreys. Arriving at Kiriwina at midnight 24 June they landed in LCP(R)'s along a channel winding through the reef to the beach at Losuia
on Kiriwina. The ships had not been emptied before departing, returning three nights later to unload heavy communication and engineer equipment left in their holds. The advance party built a coral causeway across the reef to allow landing.
and Henley
, as escort. Arriving at Woodlark, with landing beginning at 2100 on 30 June. Brooks and Humphreys carrying other troops from Milne Bay arrived at 0100 on 1 July, with further supply echelons arriving in LCI's and LST's.
was begun by 20th and 60th US Naval Construction Battalion on 2 July and by 14 July the airfield consisted of single 3,000 feet (910 m) x 150 feet (46 m) runway which could accommodate C-47's. By 21 July the runway was expanded to 5,200 feet (1584 m) of runway and a coral surface with the 67th Fighter Squadron
arriving on 23 July. The airfield was ultimately extended to 6,500 feet (2,000 m) x 225 feet (69 m) with a parallel runway of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) x 60 feet (18 m) together with 110 hardstands. The airfield was also known as Woodlark Airfield and was used as a stopover point and refuelling point. Defensive positions were set up around Woodlark with antiaircraft and coast artillery pieces of the 12th Defense Battalion being installed, and machine gun and 37 mm beach positions established. A PT and landing craft repair base was also constructed at Guasopa Bay and the island was also used as a supply base.
On Kiriwina, due to the difficulty of landing heavy engineering equipment the construction of Kiriwina airfield
was delayed and with heavy rains hindering construction, General Krueger unhappy with the progress of the works replaced Colonel Herndon in command of Kiriwina Force with Colonel John T. Murray. By 20 July a single runway 1,500 feet (457 m) x 150 feet (46 m) was cleared and roughly graded. By the end of July the runway was 5,000 feet (1524 m) and ready to be surfaced with coral. No. 79 Squadron
of the RAAF began operations on 18 August. A seaplane base was also constructed at Losuia, consisting of an anchorage and jetty. A PT base was also constructed at Louisa in October 1943, however was closed in February 1944. The island was also used as a supply base.
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Woodlark Island
Woodlark Island, known to its inhabitants simply as Woodlark or Muyua, is an island in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. It is called Murua by the inhabitants of some other islands in the province...
and Kiriwina Islands
Kiriwina
Kiriwina is the largest of the Trobriand Islands, with an area of 290.5 km². It is part of the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. Most of the 12,000 people who live in the Trobriands live on Kiriwina. The Kilivila language, also known as Kiriwina, is spoken on the island...
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 as part of Operation Cartwheel
Operation Cartwheel
Operation Cartwheel was a major military strategy for the Allies in the Pacific theater of World War II. Cartwheel was a twin-axis of advance operation, aimed at militarily neutralizing the major Japanese base at Rabaul...
. An early planning name for this operation was Operation Coronet. The operation was executed without opposition on June 30, 1943.
Planning and Readiness
Initial planning for the seizure of Woodlark and Kiriwina was undertaken in May 1943 at General Walter KruegerWalter Krueger
Walter Krueger was an American soldier of German descent and General in the first half of the 20th century. He is best known for his command of the Sixth United States Army in the South West Pacific Area during World War II...
's Sixth Army headquarters in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. General MacArthur gave command of the landings to Krueger as well as responsibility for the co-ordination of ground, air, and naval planning. Woodlark and Kiriwina were required as future airfield sites to support operations in both New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
, 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 the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. The invasion was the first amphibious movement undertaken 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...
, with planning thorough and comprehensive which became standing operating procedure for future invasions.
Air support for the operation was split between the United States Army Air Force V Bomber Command
V Bomber Command
The V Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fifth Air Force, based at Irumagawa AB, Japan. It was inactivated on 31 May 1946....
and 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...
(RAAF) 1st Tactical Air Force and No. 9 Operational Group
No. 9 Operational Group RAAF
No. 9 Operational Group was a major Royal Australian Air Force unit providing fighter, ground attack and anti-shipping support to the Allies in the South West Pacific theatre during World War II. It was designed to act as a mobile striking force independent of the RAAF's static area commands. As...
. The V Bomber Command was to bomb the Japanese airfields at Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
, each night from 25 through 30 June and be called upon to support the invasion fleet and close infantry support as required. The RAAF was to provide fighter cover as requested.
Reconnaissance parties landed on Woodlark and Kiriwina in May and reported that there were no Japanese troops at present occupying the islands. Due to a delay in gathering the units assigned to the operation together, as they were spread across the north of Australia and New Guinea D-Day was set for 30 June 1943. A RAAF LW-AW radar unit, No. 305 Radar Station arrived at Kiriwina Island on 17 May and was operational the next day, providing advance warning of airborne threats.
The landings took place in conjunction with the landing at Nassau Bay
Landing at Nassau Bay
The Landing at Nassau Bay was an amphibious landing at Nassau Bay in the New Guinea campaign of World War II between June 30 - July 6, 1943. United States forces sought to capture a beachhead for a supply point to shorten the supply line for the proposed attack on Salamaua as part of the...
, Papua New Guinea and the landing on Rendova
Landings on Rendova
The Landings on Rendova was a military amphibious assault on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands on 30 June 1943 by United States Army and Navy forces during the New Georgia Campaign of the Pacific War. In the assault, U.S. forces overwhelmed a small Japanese military garrison and secured the...
, New Georgia
New Georgia
New Georgia is the largest island of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands.-Geography:This island is located in the New Georgia Group, an archipelago including most of the other larger islands in the province...
.
Advanced Landings
An advanced party of 112th Cavalry Regiment112th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 112th Cavalry Regiment was a Texas National Guard Regiment that served in several Pacific campaigns during World War II.-Early history:...
under the command of Major D. M. McMains, left Milne Bay at 1600 on 22 June 1943 aboard the destroyer transports
High speed transport
High Speed Transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used to support amphibious operations in World War II and afterward. They received the US Hull classification symbol APD; "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer....
Brooks
USS Brooks (DD-232)
USS Brooks was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Lieutenant John Brooks, Jr.....
and Humphreys
USS Humphreys (DD-236)
USS Humphreys was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Joshua Humphreys, a pioneer US shipbuilder....
to Woodlark. Arriving at Guasopa
Guasopa
Guasopa is a village on Woodlark Island, Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea. It is served by Guasopa Airport....
Harbour at 0032 on 23 June landing in six Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramped) (LCP(R)). The destroyer transports left at 0400 for Milne Bay. An Australian coastwatcher, not having been informed of the landing, almost attacked the landing force with his native guerrilla force until overhearing the troops' broad accents. The advance party undertook reconnaissance, established defenses and facilities for the invasion force and cleared obstructions on the landing beaches.
The 158th Infantry Regiment
158th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 158th Infantry Regiment is a infantry unit of the Arizona National Guard. The regiment has served in World War I, World War II and Afghanistan.-History:...
advanced party, with a detachment of the 59th Combat Engineer Company and the 158th Infantry Regiment's communication platoon, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Floyd G. Powell, departed Milne Bay at 1810 on 23 June aboard the returned Brooks and Humphreys. Arriving at Kiriwina at midnight 24 June they landed in LCP(R)'s along a channel winding through the reef to the beach at Losuia
Losuia
Losuia is a village on Kiriwina Island, part of the Kiriwina Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. It is served by Losuia Airport....
on Kiriwina. The ships had not been emptied before departing, returning three nights later to unload heavy communication and engineer equipment left in their holds. The advance party built a coral causeway across the reef to allow landing.
Woodlark
On 25 June, 2,600 troops of Woodlark Force, led by Colonel Julian W. Cunningham, consisting of units of the 112th Cavalry Regiment, the 134th Field Artillery Battalion, the 12th Marine Defense Battalion and quartermaster, port, ordnance, medical, and engineer units, a naval base unit and a construction battalion departed Townsville, Australia aboard six LST's, with one subchaser SC-749 and two destroyers, 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...
and Henley
USS Henley (DD-391)
USS Henley , a Bagley-class destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Captain Robert Henley, an officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France, the War of 1812 and the Second Barbary War....
, as escort. Arriving at Woodlark, with landing beginning at 2100 on 30 June. Brooks and Humphreys carrying other troops from Milne Bay arrived at 0100 on 1 July, with further supply echelons arriving in LCI's and LST's.
Kiriwina
On 30 June, 2,250 troops Kiriwina Force, led by Colonel J. Prugh Herndon, consisting of 158th Infantry Regiment (less the 2d Battalion) the 148th Field Artillery Battalion with other artillery, engineer, ordnance, medical, antiaircraft, and quartermaster troops departed Milne Bay aboard twelve LCI's, escorted by six destroyers. Arriving at RED Beach near Losuia, Kiriwina at 2100. A supply eschelon arrived on 30 June consisting of twelve LCT's and seven LCM's.Japanese Reaction
Except for reconnaissance flights and two small bombing attacks against Woodlark, the Japanese took no further action in relation to the occupation of the islands.Base Development
On Woodlark, the construction of Guasopa airfieldGuasopa Airport
Guasopa Airport , is an airport at Guasopa on Woodlark Island, in the Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.-History:Built by the 60th US Naval Construction Battalion after Operation Chronicle, the occupation Woodlark Island during World War II. A single x coral surfaced runway was constructed...
was begun by 20th and 60th US Naval Construction Battalion on 2 July and by 14 July the airfield consisted of single 3,000 feet (910 m) x 150 feet (46 m) runway which could accommodate C-47's. By 21 July the runway was expanded to 5,200 feet (1584 m) of runway and a coral surface with the 67th Fighter Squadron
67th Fighter Squadron
The 67th Fighter Squadron "Fighting Cocks" are part of the 18th Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan.-Mission:The 67th Fighter Squadron is one of two F-15 Eagle squadrons in the Asian-Western Pacific area of operations, conducting air superiority missions.-World War II:Continually active...
arriving on 23 July. The airfield was ultimately extended to 6,500 feet (2,000 m) x 225 feet (69 m) with a parallel runway of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) x 60 feet (18 m) together with 110 hardstands. The airfield was also known as Woodlark Airfield and was used as a stopover point and refuelling point. Defensive positions were set up around Woodlark with antiaircraft and coast artillery pieces of the 12th Defense Battalion being installed, and machine gun and 37 mm beach positions established. A PT and landing craft repair base was also constructed at Guasopa Bay and the island was also used as a supply base.
On Kiriwina, due to the difficulty of landing heavy engineering equipment the construction of Kiriwina airfield
Losuia Airport
Losuia Airport is an airport in Losuia, on the island of Kiriwina, Papua New Guinea.-History:Kiriwina Airfield was a coral surfaced long x wide single runway, built by US Army Engineers with assistance from combat troops shortly after occupying the island on 30 June 1943 during World War II. A...
was delayed and with heavy rains hindering construction, General Krueger unhappy with the progress of the works replaced Colonel Herndon in command of Kiriwina Force with Colonel John T. Murray. By 20 July a single runway 1,500 feet (457 m) x 150 feet (46 m) was cleared and roughly graded. By the end of July the runway was 5,000 feet (1524 m) and ready to be surfaced with coral. No. 79 Squadron
No. 79 Squadron RAAF
No. 79 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force flight training unit which has been formed on four occasions since 1943. The squadron was established in May 1943 as a fighter unit equipped with Supermarine Spitfires, and subsequently saw combat in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II...
of the RAAF began operations on 18 August. A seaplane base was also constructed at Losuia, consisting of an anchorage and jetty. A PT base was also constructed at Louisa in October 1943, however was closed in February 1944. The island was also used as a supply base.
Woodlark Island
- 112th Cavalry Regiment112th Cavalry Regiment (United States)The 112th Cavalry Regiment was a Texas National Guard Regiment that served in several Pacific campaigns during World War II.-Early history:...
- 134th Field Artillery Battalion
- 12th Marine Defense Battalion
- Quartermaster unit
- port unit
- ordnance unit
- medical unit
- engineer units
- 46th Engineer Combat Company
- 404th Engineer Combat Company
- naval base unit
- 20th Naval Construction Battalion
- 60th Naval Construction Battalion
- Argus Unit 1, (Fighter Director Radar Unit)
Kiriwina
- 158th Infantry Regiment158th Infantry Regiment (United States)The 158th Infantry Regiment is a infantry unit of the Arizona National Guard. The regiment has served in World War I, World War II and Afghanistan.-History:...
- 148th Field Artillery Battalion
- artillery units
- engineer units
- ordnance units
- medical units
- antiaircraft units
- quartermaster units
Naval forces
- Task Force 74Task 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)- Rear Admiral Victor Crutchley
- Cruisers
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- Destroyers
}
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- Task Force 76Task Force 76Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN/Task Force 76 is a United States Navy task force. It is at one and the same time operationally a Task Force of the United States Seventh Fleet and administratively, the USN's only permanently forward-deployed Expeditionary Strike Group...
(Amphibious Force)- Rear Admiral Daniel E. BarbeyDaniel E. BarbeyVice Admiral Daniel Edward Barbey was an officer in the United States Navy who served in World War I and World War II. A graduate of the Naval Academy, he participated in the 1912 United States occupation of Nicaragua and the 1915 United States occupation of Veracruz. While serving with the War...
- Destroyers
- Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey
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- Transport group
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