Oceanic Expeditions Primary WWII Wreck Targets Cape Gloucester

The Cape Gloucester area of West New Britain is quite literally littered with wreckage, which resulted from combat that took place in this remote and little known battlefield of World War Two. The OE Team will systematically survey this entire battle area over the coming years. Hundreds of aircraft and numerous naval vessels remain lost at sea, and await our discovery within the pristine waters of far-western New Britain.

Of the wreckage contained offshore of ‘Glosta’, the Japanese destroyer Mikazuki, and the USAAF B-25D-1 “Crabb 2nd”, have very significant and unique battle history associated with their own actions in key engagements of the PTO during WWII. The Japanese destroyer Ariake, lost on the same engagement of 28 July 1943 that the Mikazuki was sunk, should be in very good general condition as she sank at anchor in Gloucester Roads. Over as much as ten years OE will search the seas and adjacent lands of the Cape Gloucester and Borgen Bay region for these Historic Jewels, the Aviation and Naval wreckage from the remote horizon of mankind’s most cataclysmic War.

Prime Targets
Click on Wreck For Details
ARIAKE IJN DD Sunk By 3rd Attack Group B-25’s, 28 July 1943



MIKAZUKI IJN DD Sunk By 3rd Attack Group B-25’s, 28 July 1943

Sinking Of The Ariake and Mikazuki

CRABB 2nd US B-25 Ditched
Hit by USN AA Friendly Fire, 26 December 1943

Only Known D-Day Wreck One Of OE's Favorite Dives

" Here Be Dragons "