Key Facts
- Dates
- 7–8 November 1943
- Japanese assault force
- 850 soldiers
- Transport vessels
- 4 destroyers
- U.S. units engaged
- Two battalions, 3rd and 9th Marine Regiments
- Campaign context
- Bougainville campaign, Pacific War
Strategic Narrative Overview
On the night of 7 November 1943, Japanese forces landed from four destroyers near Koromokina Lagoon and attacked positions held by two battalions of the 3rd and 9th Marine Regiments under Major General Allen H. Turnage. Over two days of fighting, the Marines repelled each Japanese assault. The attackers suffered heavy losses and failed to penetrate the defensive perimeter.
01 / The Origins
Following the Allied amphibious landing at Cape Torokina on Bougainville in November 1943, Japanese General Hitoshi Imamura, commanding the 8th Area Army at Rabaul, ordered an immediate counterattack. Underestimating Allied strength ashore, he dispatched 850 troops by destroyer to execute a counter-landing near Koromokina Lagoon, intending to drive the Marines back into the sea before the beachhead could be consolidated.
03 / The Outcome
The Japanese counter-landing force was defeated with heavy casualties, ending the immediate threat to the Cape Torokina beachhead. With the perimeter secured, Allied forces proceeded to expand their foothold on Bougainville, ultimately constructing airfields from which they could attack and neutralize Japanese installations at Rabaul and surrounding areas.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hitoshi Imamura.
Side B
1 belligerent
Allen H. Turnage.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.