Operation Chronicle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Operation Chronicle |
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| Part of World War II, Pacific War | |||||||
 American troops disembarking from an LCI |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States Australia |
 Japan |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Walter Krueger | Hatazō Adachi | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| ~16,800 | 0 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 0 | |||||||
Operation Chronicle was a military mission during World War II. It involved the Allied forces invading two islands: Woodlark and Kiriwina. These islands are located in the South West Pacific.
This operation was a smaller part of a bigger plan called Operation Cartwheel. The main goal of Operation Cartwheel was to advance towards Rabaul, a major Japanese base. The mission began with small scouting teams landing on the islands on June 23–24, 1943. The main invasion happened on June 30, 1943, and there was no fighting.
About 16,800 soldiers and sailors took part in Operation Chronicle. Most of the ground troops were from the United States Army. They were supported by the United States Marine Corps, as well as planes and ships from both the U.S. and Australia.
After the invasion, U.S. naval construction teams built airfields and PT boat bases on the islands. American planes arrived on Woodlark in mid-July. Australian planes started flying from Kiriwina in August. However, these islands ended up playing only a small role in the war. The Allies soon moved their main attacks further west.
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Why the Allies Invaded Woodlark and Kiriwina?
By mid-1943, the war in New Guinea was starting to go well for the Allies. The Japanese had tried to capture Port Moresby but failed. They also lost battles at Buna–Gona and were forced to leave Guadalcanal. The Allies were now planning to attack Rabaul, the main Japanese base.
Kiriwina and Woodlark Islands are in the Solomon Sea. They are northeast of the Papuan coast. Kiriwina is about 125 miles from New Britain. Woodlark is about 200 miles from Bougainville.
These islands were important to Allied planners. They wanted bases closer to Japanese targets. This would allow Allied bombers to carry more bombs. It would also let fighter planes fly alongside the bombers for protection.
Planning the Invasion
The plan for this operation was first called "Coronet." Later, it was changed to "Chronicle." Planning began in May 1943 at General Walter Krueger's Sixth Army headquarters in Brisbane, Australia.
General Douglas MacArthur put General Krueger in charge of the landings. Krueger was responsible for planning how the ground, air, and naval forces would work together. Woodlark and Kiriwina were needed for future airfields. These airfields would support operations in New Guinea, New Britain, and the Solomon Islands. This was all part of the larger Operation Cartwheel.
This invasion was the first time the Allies in the South West Pacific Area planned an amphibious (sea-to-land) attack so carefully. This detailed planning then became the standard way to prepare for future invasions.
Who Was Involved?
The Japanese forces in the New Guinea area were from the 18th Army. General Hatazō Adachi commanded this force from Madang. His troops were busy defending a large area on the mainland. They were also planning attacks in other valleys. There were no Japanese troops on Woodlark or Kiriwina when the Allies invaded.
About 16,800 Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen took part in the operation. Most ground troops were from Krueger's Sixth Army, also known as Alamo Force. Naval support came from Rear Admiral Victor Crutchley's Task Force 74. This force protected the landing ships. Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey's Task Force 76 was the main landing force.
Most of the ships were from the United States Navy. However, Crutchley was a Royal Navy officer. His force included four ships from the Royal Australian Navy. Air support came from the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). American bombers attacked Japanese airfields at Rabaul every night before the invasion. The RAAF provided fighter planes to protect the invasion fleet.
Getting Ready for the Landings
Scouting teams landed on Woodlark and Kiriwina in May. They reported that no Japanese troops were on the islands. The invasion, called D-Day, was set for June 30, 1943. This was because it took time to gather all the units. They were spread out across northern Australia and New Guinea.
Before the main invasion, an RAAF radar unit was set up on Kiriwina in May. The landings were planned to happen at the same time as other operations. These included landings at Nassau Bay in New Guinea and on Rendova in New Georgia.
Even though no Japanese troops were expected, the Allies treated the landings as combat operations. Krueger and Barbey wanted to test their amphibious tactics. They also wanted to be ready in case the Japanese did show up. The Allied soldiers were even told to expect Japanese resistance.
The Allies thought the Japanese might attack the invasion forces from the air. So, No. 73 Wing RAAF with three fighter squadrons moved to Goodenough Island. This unit would defend the region from air attacks. RAAF planes also flew patrols to look for Japanese submarines.
An advance group from the 112th Cavalry Regiment left Milne Bay on June 22, 1943. They sailed on two fast transport ships, the Brooks and the Humphreys. They arrived at Guasopa on Woodlark Island early on June 23. The U.S. troops landed in small landing craft.
An Australian coastwatcher was already on the island. He didn't know about the landing. He almost attacked the Americans with his local guerrilla force. Luckily, he heard their American accents and realized they were Allies. This advance group explored the island. They set up defenses and prepared the landing beaches for the main force.
Another advance group from the 158th Infantry Regiment left Milne Bay on June 23. They were also on the Brooks and Humphreys. They arrived at Kiriwina at midnight on June 24. They landed at Losuia. Unloading was slow because the troops were new to it. The ships had to leave before daylight, partly loaded. They came back three nights later to unload the rest of their equipment. This group built a coral path across the reef to help with future landings.
The Landings Begin
Woodlark Island Landing
On June 25, about 2,600 troops of the Woodlark Force left Townsville, Australia. This force included units from the 112th Cavalry Regiment and the Marine 12th Defense Battalion. They sailed on six large landing ships (LSTs). They were protected by a subchaser and two destroyers.
The landing on Woodlark began at 9:00 PM on June 30. There was no resistance from the Japanese. Unloading was very fast. All the equipment had been loaded onto trucks before the ships left. This meant the trucks could drive straight off the LSTs. This quick unloading allowed the transport ships to leave Woodlark before sunrise. This helped them avoid possible air attacks.
Meanwhile, the Brooks and Humphreys arrived with more troops from Milne Bay. The process of getting troops onto the smaller landing craft (LCIs) was delayed. The LCI drivers had trouble finding the correct landing beach. As a result, the two transport ships stayed offshore until 6:00 AM. More supply ships arrived throughout July 1.
Kiriwina Island Landing
On June 30, about 2,250 troops of the Kiriwina Force left Milne Bay. This force included the 158th Infantry Regiment. They sailed on twelve LCIs. They were protected by two destroyers and two small coastal transports.
They arrived at Red Beach near Losuia, Kiriwina, around dawn. Like Woodlark, there was no Japanese resistance. However, unloading was slow. The LCIs got stuck several hundred yards from the beach. Only one of the larger landing craft (LCTs) could get over the sandbar. Heavy rain and a low tide also made it hard to move vehicles and supplies ashore.
Later waves of ships were sent to the northern shore. There, the advance party had built a coral path. This path helped unload vehicles. More supply ships arrived on June 30. They had spent the night at Goodenough Island. They were protected by four destroyers and an Australian survey ship.
What Happened Next?
Japanese Response
The Japanese did not do much after the islands were occupied. They only flew some scouting planes and launched two small bombing attacks against Woodlark. Historians believe this was because the Allied landings happened at the same time as other major operations.
One air raid by two Japanese planes on August 2 wounded four soldiers from the 112th Cavalry Regiment. These were the first combat injuries for that regiment. The Japanese air attacks were very small. The three Australian fighter squadrons at Goodenough Island were not even needed.
Building the Bases
On Woodlark, construction of Woodlark Airfield began on July 2. By July 14, the airfield had one runway. It was 3,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. It could handle C-47 transport planes. By July 21, the runway was 5,200 feet long and had a coral surface. The 67th Fighter Squadron arrived on July 23. The airfield was eventually made even longer and wider. It was used as a stopover and refueling point for planes.
Defensive positions were set up around Woodlark. Antiaircraft guns and coastal artillery were installed. Machine gun and 37mm gun positions were also placed along the beaches. A base for PT boats and landing craft repair was also built at Guasopa Bay. The island was also used as a supply base. The 112th Cavalry Regiment stayed on Woodlark until late November 1943. They received more training for amphibious landings.
On Kiriwina, building the Kiriwina airfield was delayed. This was because it was hard to land heavy engineering equipment. Heavy rains also made construction difficult. General Krueger was not happy with the slow progress. He replaced the commander of Kiriwina Force.
By July 20, a runway 1,500 feet long and 150 feet wide was cleared. By the end of July, the runway was 5,000 feet long and ready for a coral surface. No. 79 Squadron of the RAAF started flying from Kiriwina on August 18. A seaplane base was also built at Losuia. A PT boat base was built there in October 1943 but closed in February 1944. Kiriwina was also used as a supply base.
In the end, the Allied forces moved further west in the Pacific. This meant that these bases on Woodlark and Kiriwina did not play a huge role in the war. However, historians agree that the landings were successful. They gave the Allied forces a chance to test their invasion plans and gain important experience for future battles.
Military Units Involved
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