World War II History

War history tours - The Battle of the Coral Sea

The Solomon Islands has an amazing war history that was fought between August 1942 and February 1943. The Japanese established a large forward at Rabaul and the American and allied forces established a large forward based in Santo. Over the 6 months vicious fighting occurred including throughout the islands including on Guadalcanal over Henderson Airport, the current international airport.

There are many interesting points of interest including facilities, downed aircraft and sunken ships. Some of the most interesting include B-17, Wildcat, ships and numerous Japanese floatplanes at snorkelling depth, numerous ships and aircraft at diving depth and numerous land based wrecks.

A wildcat fighter was shot down south of Gizo. The pilot conducted a water landing. The aircraft is in 10 meters of water which can be viewed and touched when snorkelling.

Local war history tours are conducted from every resort in the Solomon Islands.

Gizo World War II Tours

Dense concentration of activities in the Gizo area
Source: WWF Gizo

Japanese gun fort
Photo: Dive Gizo

American Stuart Tank
Photo: Dive Gizo

Enogae Gun Fort - war time weapons remain intact
Photo: Agnes Lodge

B17 bombing raid over Gizo
Photo: US Naval Archives

VF-38 Combat Report

The VF-38 Combat Report on page 2 states:

"At first Moore thought it a Zero, then recognised it as an F4U, as did his wingman. The Corsair was flying alone. Moore turned into him as the F4U came in at him straight above. The Corsair started firing at about 100 yds. range, and Moore pulled up a bit and fired a burst in retaliation, as did his wingman. A 50 caliber bullet hit Moore's engine high on the port side. It started to throw oil and began smoking, although no heavily. Moore and Beaumont left the other section and set out for Munda, diving to about 500 ft."

They got as far as Blackett Strait, about a mile south of Kolombangara when Moore's engine cut out. He had no trouble making a water landing, flaps down in full stall at approximately 3:30pm. He stood on a wing, then dropped into the water and inflated his life jacket. He was about 100 ft. from a reef and in shallow water. As soon as he got into his raft he saw two native canoes putting out from a small island. The first canoe carried about 15 natives and the second canoe carried about six natives and Pvt. Nash of the U.S. Army, who took Moore to a Coastwatcher, Lt. Evans.

Taken to Evans quarters on an island about one mile south of Kolombangara. Moore received dry cloths, a cup of tea and some fresh limeade. He was then taken by canoe a couple of miles east to Arundel where the US Army were shelling Kolombangara. It was then about 7:30pm. He remained there overnight, and at 800, Sept 17, departed for Munda.” 

Hell Cat wreck - Richard 'Dick' Moore

Richard Moore had served briefly in aboard a carrier off Attu, then assigned to the South Pacific. On January 29, 1943 he was shot down over the Munda area, losing his first plane "Betsy", named after his wife.

Hell Cat plane wreck
Photo: Peter Lange - 'Fotofish'

Whilst providing low cover for an attacking raid the Hell Cat was the victim of friendly fire from a Corsair from the famous 'Black Sheep' squadron.

Escapades of Jefferson DeBlanc

DeBlanc was a Marine Corp pilot flying F4F Wildcat fighter aircraft from Guadalcanal. His colourful story gives an insight into WWII operations. He shot down 5 aircraft in one mission, was shot and injured, bailed out, swam for 6 hours with serious wounds, survived on coconuts before nationals smuggled him to a missionary who arranged his rescue.

Jeff De Blanc with Danny and Kerrie Kennedy
Photo: Dive Gizo

Jeff De Blanc is a Congressional Medal of Honour recipient who served in the Solomon Islands during WWII. Jeff was responsible for the sinking of the Toa Maru. On 31 January 1943, in one sortie (gun battle), he downed five Japanese aircraft in his Wildcat. His story can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_J._DeBlanc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_32ZspW80v4

Japanese Zero Wreck

This wildcat fighter was shot down south of Gizo. The pilot conducted a water landing. The aircraft is in 10 meters of water which can be viewed and touched when snorkelling.

Japanese Zero.
Photo: Tina Aydon

Toa Maru II

A twenty minute boat ride from Gizo is one of the South Pacific's most popular diveable WWII shipwrecks. This reasonably intact Japanese transport ship of some 140m (450') length is lying on its starboard site. It was run aground after suffering damage from an American attack. The dive starts at an easy seven metres and slants to 37 metres. Interesting artefacts adorn this vessel that sunk before it could be unloaded. Some of the trinkets include saki bottles, medical supplies, office equipment and rounds of ammunition. The larger objects include bombs, a motorbike and a type 21 tank. For the more experienced divers a guided tour inside the wreck to the bridge, crew quarters, engine room and medical supply room is a must-do adventure.

Japanese transport ship Toa Maru II (140m long)
http://www.divegizo.com/sites.htm

It was run aground after suffering damage from an American attack. The dive starts at an easy seven metres and slants to 37 metres. Interesting artefacts adorn this vessel that sunk before it could be unloaded. Some of the trinkets include saki bottles, medical supplies, office equipment and rounds of ammunition. The larger objects include bombs, a motorbike and a type 21 tank. For the more experienced divers a guided tour inside the wreck to the bridge, crew quarters, engine room and medical supply room is a must-do adventure.

Toa Maru II’s hold
Photo: Tina Aydon

Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 - Commanded by JFK

On August 2, 1943 John F. Kennedy's U.S. Navy patrol torpedo boat 109 was taking part in a nighttime patrol near New Georgia in the Solomon Islands.

Kennedy (far right) with the PT-109 crew Photo: web

The Japanese destroyer Amagiri rammed the PT-109. Kennedy and his crew – some injured – drifted overnight on PT-109's still-floating bow.

Kennedy was thrown across the deck, injuring his already-troubled back. Nonetheless, he swam, towing a wounded man, to an island and later to a second island where his crew was subsequently rescued. For these actions, Kennedy received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal under the following citation :

During his presidency, Kennedy privately admitted to friends that he didn't feel that he deserved the medals he had received, because the PT-109 incident had been the result of a botched military operation that had cost the lives of two members of his crew. When later asked by a reporter how he became a war hero, Kennedy (known for a sense of humour) joked: "It was involuntary. They sank my boat."

Source: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy

The afternoon after the PT-109 was rammed by the Amagiri, the PT-109 survivors swam for several hours to reach this tiny island. They were soon weary from heat, hunger and most of all, thirst. Despite its lush appearance, Kennedy Island, as it is now known, was lacking in food and devoid of fresh water. Kennedy Island was originally known as Plum Pudding Island.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PT-109

Kennedy was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his personal survival, bravery and endurance.

Buiku Gasa – saved John F Kennedy as WWII scout (sadly passed away Nov 2005)
Photo: Dive Gizo

Eroni Kumana – saved John F Kennedy as WWII scout
Photo: Melissa - Flamingo Bay

This region offers an exciting array of full or half day adventures to local villages and uninhabited islands. You can spend the day with a picnic lunch, swimming, bartering with the local carvers, snorkelling or just lazing about on your own personal beach.

Skull Island
Photo: Peter Schott

Skull Island residents
Photo: Peter Schott

Munda

Munda is ideally located for travellers in search of adventure, culture, diversity and geography, whilst enjoying good food, pleasant surroundings and the relaxation typical of a south sea paradise.

Munda sunset
Photo: Agnes Lodge

There are war relics everywhere in Munda: in the bushes, on the beaches and in the water as it was an important military airfield during WW2. Munda and surrounding areas, has several renowned war wrecks, spectacular wall diving, waterfalls, bat caves and cultural sites such as the skull islands where the 'trophies' of yesterday's head hunters were stored.

Corsair wreck (50m deep – for experienced divers)
Photo: Dive Munda

Just a short boat ride from Munda is spectacular world-famous diving, snorkelling, surfing, fishing and sightseeing.

One of the locals that didn’t get away
Photo: Joe at Ziplolo Habu Resort

Munda Airfield

Munda Airfield is located on New Georgia Island. Occupied by the Japanese who landed three companies of infantry in late 1942. Munda was mostly constructed in secret by suspending wire cables between high palm trees. Palm leaves were then attached over the wire cables so that the airfield works below would remain hidden from US spy planes until increased barge traffic alerted coast watcher, Danny Kennedy. The Japanese lengthened, improved the surface and expanded the airfield to allow bombers to operate from the airfield. This include adding 1 to 2 inches of crushed coral on the surface, The crushed coral was then watered for a number of months allowing the coral to grow and bond into a surface that is stronger than concrete. Even today the coral is still strong after 65 years. Zero, Oscar and Lilly aircraft operated from Munda.

The airfield was captured by the US Army in August 1943 after 12 days of fierce fighting and became a major base.

Munda Airfield courtesy Google Earth

American Units Based at Munda:

USN VC-24 (SBD x 24) November 1943
VC-40 (TBF)
VF-33 (F6F)
VF-38(F6F) September 1943
USMC ComAir New Georgia VMSB-236 (SBD)
Henderson Nov 25 VMF 124 VMF-213 (F4U)
VMF 214 (F4U)
September 7, 1943 VMF 215 (F4U)
C.O. Major Robert Owen VMF 221 (F4U)
MABS-1 VMSB-142 (TBF)
USAAF 13th AF 4th PRG, 17th PRS (F-5s)
5th BG, HQ (B-24s) 5th BG, 72nd BS (B-24s)
5th BG, 23rd BS (B-24s)
6th BG 394th BS (B-24s) 307th BG. 370th, 371st, 372d, 424th BS
868th BS (B-24 Snooper)

Numerous war history remains at Munda including a US barge, 'The American Dump', AMTRAC, Four pontoons, landing craft carrying jeeps, G3M2 Nell, F4U Corsair (in 52m), two Motor Torpedo Boats (both scuttled near Munda to prevent capture) and a Dakota.

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