World War II Pacific Island Territories: The Trobriand Islands


Figure 1.-- Here we see children on Children Kirivina carrying what looks like the possession of American military personnel. We are not sure what the thatched roof structure in the background is. It is clearly of native construction, but we are not sure how it was being used.

The Trobriand Islands are a small archepeligo located north of Milne Bay at the eastern tip of New Guinea. They were undefended islands. The Battle of Milne Bay fought by the Australians along with the American landings on Guadalcanal were the end of Japanese expansion in the Pacific (August-September 1942) Neraly a year later, the Allies landed on Kiriwina, the largest island of the Trobriand group. This was part of Operation Chronicle which included landings on Woodlark Island to the east (June 30, 1943). These were unopposed landings. The Japanese had not occupied the islands. As with most other Pacific islands, the purpose was to build air strips. And with increasing production of aircraft din America, more and more planes and air crews were available to cram on more and moire Pacific bases. The U.S. Army Engineers supervised construction of Kiriwina Airfield which, included a 2,000 metre (6,000 ft) coral-surfaced runway. No. 73 Wing RAAF began operations (August 1943). A seaplane base was constructed at Losuia, another island in the Trobriand group. It included an anchorage and jetty. By this time, the Allies had moved west aling the New Guinea Coast (Lae-Salamaua), had moved up the Solomons Chain, and were contemplating landings on New Britain -- making real progress in isolating the Rabaul bastion. Until the landings, the 12,000 prople on the island had almost no contact with the outside world.







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Created: 7:39 PM 3/4/2019
Last updated: 7:39 PM 3/4/2019