Wanigela, Oro Province

Wanigela is a village along Collingwood [Bay |Collingwood Bay], Papua New Guinea. The village is served by Wanigela Airport.

History

Wanigela became an Allies of [World War II|Allied] forward staging base during World War II. Troops staged at Wanigela before troops moving to Pongani to strike the Imperial Japanese during the Battle of Buna-Gona.
Between 5 October & 6 October 1942, the Australian 2/10th [Australian Infantry Battalion|2/10th Battalion] of the 18th Brigade together with United States Army engineers and anti-aircraft gunners were flown from Milne Bay to Wanigela Airfield by C-47 Dakotas of United States Army Air Forces, 21st Troop Carrier Squadron and 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron of the 374th Transport Group.
On 14 October 1942, the United States Army 128th [Infantry Regiment |128th Infantry Regiment] of the 32nd [Infantry Division |32nd Infantry Division] and the Australian 2/6th [Independent Company |2/6th Independent Company] were flown from 14-Mile Drome to Wanigela Airfield.