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| Location Lat 5° 32' 7" Long 146° 9' 7" E Yalau Plantation is located on the Rai Coast portion of the north coast of New Guinea. To the west is Kul. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in Madang District in the Territory of New Guinea. Today, located in Rai Coast Rural LLG, Rai Coast District of Madang Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prewar Yalau Plantation was established during the German colonial era as a coconut plantation harvesting copra. Wartime History On March 5, 1944 at 7:35am the Yalau Task Force comprised of the U.S. Army, 126th Infantry Regiment (126th IR) less the 2d Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Battalion plus 120th Field Artillery Battalion, B Battery were landed by Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) from 533rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment (533rd EBSR), Company C unopposed at Yalau Plantation. After establishing a beachhead, patrols advanced westward and eastward to secure the entire Rai Coast. The advance eastward on the Rai Coast and met some resistance as they advanced along the north coast. On March 8, 1944 they captured Mindiri and linked up with patrols advancing from Yamai (Yami). This expanded the American perimeter to 40 miles west of Saidor. The advance westward on the Rai Coast advanced along the north coast. On March 7, 1944 they captured Bibi (Ribi) then continued to advance westward. On March 21, 1944 they advanced to Kul where they made contact with patrols from the Australian Army 7th Division between the Sa River and Karnbara River. The western patrol then advanced westward to Bau Plantation and beyond met resistence inland from Marakum. On April 14, 1944 they made contact with the Australian Army near Bogadjim. References U.S. Army in World War II - Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul Chapter XIV Crossing the Straits page 304 Chronology of The 533rd EB & SR from Surf and Sand by Robert Amory Jr. - March 5, 1944 13,000 Hours Combat History of the 32nd Infantry Division – World War II (1944) page 13 (map) 32d Infantry Division In World War II (1955) pages 146-147, 148 (map) 13,000 Hours Combat History of the 32nd Infantry Division – World War II page 13 (map) Contribute Information Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 27, 2026 |
 Map March-April 1944 Map Mapcarta |
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