Pityilu Island
Encyclopedia
Pityilu Island is part of Manus Province
in northern Papua New Guinea
and part of the Admiralty Islands. It is off the northern coast of Manus Island
and is nearly 4.8 km long and varies in width from 76 to 198 metres.
in 1942.
On 30 March 1944, the island was assaulted by the reinforced 1st Squadron of 7th Cavalry of the United States Army
. 59 Imperial Japanese were killed and 8 cavalrymen were killed with 6 wounded in the assault.
Pityilu Island was selected to become an airstrip for the use of the United States Navy
with a Rest & Recreation facility designed to accommodate up to 10,000 servicemen. The facilities were constructed by the 140th Naval Construction Battalion in June 1944. Pityilu Airstrip consited of a single runway, made of crushed coral 5300 feet (1,615.4 m) x 150 feet (45.7 m).
Manus Province
Manus Province is the smallest province in Papua New Guinea with a land area of 2,100 km², but with more than 220,000 km² of water. The capital of the province is Lorengau and the total population is 43,387 ....
in northern Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
and part of the Admiralty Islands. It is off the northern coast of Manus Island
Manus Island
Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea and is the largest island of the Admiralty Islands. It is the fifth largest island in Papua New Guinea with an area of 2,100 km², measuring around 100 km × 30 km. According to the 2000 census, Manus Island had a...
and is nearly 4.8 km long and varies in width from 76 to 198 metres.
History
Pityilu Island was occupied by the Imperial Japanese forcesImperial Japanese forces
For Imperial Japanese Forces, see* Imperial Japanese Army* Imperial Japanese NavyAir Forces were part of the Army or Navy....
in 1942.
On 30 March 1944, the island was assaulted by the reinforced 1st Squadron of 7th Cavalry of the United States Army
United States Army
The 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...
. 59 Imperial Japanese were killed and 8 cavalrymen were killed with 6 wounded in the assault.
Pityilu Island was selected to become an airstrip for the use of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
with a Rest & Recreation facility designed to accommodate up to 10,000 servicemen. The facilities were constructed by the 140th Naval Construction Battalion in June 1944. Pityilu Airstrip consited of a single runway, made of crushed coral 5300 feet (1,615.4 m) x 150 feet (45.7 m).