Battle of the Bismarck Sea

In the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in early March, the RAAF and USAAF destroyed a Japanese convoy which attempted to reinforce Lae.

On 1 March 1943, eight transports escorted by eight destroyers left Rabaul carrying the 51st division.

A Japanese transport sinks during the
Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

They were intended to reinforce Lae and Salamaua which were being threatened by Allied troops.

All eight transports and four of the eight escorting destroyers were sunk. Nearly 3000 of the Japanese were killed and only 850 troops were landed at Lae.

Japanese destroyers lost during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea:
Ship's Name:	Date Sunk:	Location:
Shirayuki	3 March 1943	Sunk 100 km south-east of Finschafen.
Tokitsukaze	3 March 1943	Sunk 100 km south-east of Finschafen.
Arashio	4 March 1943	Sunk 100 km south-east of Finschafen.
Asashio	4 March 1943	Sunk 83 km south-east of Finschafen.