Palau on the globe, Kossol Roads is at the north end of islands in red

Naval Base 1944–1945
Melanesian Cultural Area

Palau - Location Map (2013) - PLW - UNOCHA

Naval Base Kossol Roads also called Naval Base Kossol Passage was major

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

base at

Kossol Roads Kossol Roads is a large body of reef-enclosed water north of Babeldaob in northern Palau at .Kossol Roads
a ...

in northern

Palau Palau,, officially the Republic of Palau and historically ''Belau'', ''Palaos'' or ''Pelew'', is an island country and microstate in the western Pacific. The nation has approximately 340 islands and connects the western chain of the Caro ...

in the western

Caroline Islands The Caroline Islands (or the Carolines) are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically, they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in the centra ...

in the western Pacific Ocean during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. Kossol Roads lagoon is surrounded by fringing

coral reef A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups. Co ...

. The base was built to support the

island hopping Leapfrogging, also known as island hopping, was a military strategy employed by the Allies in the Pacific War against the Empire of Japan during World War II. The key idea is to bypass heavily fortified enemy islands instead of trying to captu ...

Pacific war The Pacific War, sometimes called the Asia–Pacific War, was the theater of World War II that was fought in Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and Oceania. It was geographically the largest theater of the war, including the vast ...

efforts of the

allied nations The Allies, formally referred to as the United Nations from 1942, were an international military coalition formed during the Second World War (1939–1945) to oppose the Axis powers, led by Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy ...

fighting the

Empire of Japan The also known as the Japanese Empire or Imperial Japan, was a historical nation-state and great power that existed from the Meiji Restoration in 1868 until the enactment of the post-World War II 1947 constitution and subsequent fo ...

. In terms of the number of ships at one base, Naval Base Kossol Roads was one of the largest Naval Base in the world in 1944 and 1945. Naval Base Kossol Roads was unique, as it was the only large US Naval base to have no

shore A shore or a shoreline is the fringe of land at the edge of a large body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or lake. In physical oceanography, a shore is the wider fringe that is geologically modified by the action of the body of water past a ...

facilities. Kossol Roads was part of US Naval Base Carolines.

History

Kossol Roads is a large tropical

coral atoll Corals are marine invertebrates within the class Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria. They typically form compact colonies of many identical individual polyps. Coral species include the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secre ...

with a lagoon circled by a coral reef in a circumference. The deep lagoon in the

atoll An atoll () is a ring-shaped island, including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon partially or completely. There may be coral islands or cays on the rim. Atolls are located in warm tropical or subtropical oceans and seas where corals can gr ...

offers excellent fleet anchorage for the largest ships. The lagoon has only one southern entrance, providing excellent control and protection. The southern entrance is at ''Kossol Roads North-South'' and the ''Ebil Passage''. The largest island to Kossol Roads, and the largest island in Palau is

Babeldaob Babeldaob (also Babelthuap) is the largest island in the island nation of the Republic of Palau. It is in the western Caroline Islands, and the second largest island (after Guam) in the Micronesia region of Oceania. Palau's capital, Ngerulmud, is ...

island, to the south. To the north is the small island of

Kayangel Kayangel (Ngcheangel) is the northernmost state of Palau north of Koror. The land area is about . The population is 54 (2015 census). History The state was colonized by Spain from the end of the 16th century until 1899 when the territory was s ...

. The Empire of Japan built a large base and airfield on the south tip of Babeldaob, 41 miles to the south of Kossol Roads. Due to the strong defenses on Babeldaob, the island was bypassed in the

island hopping campaign Leapfrogging, also known as island hopping, was a military strategy employed by the Allies in the Pacific War against the Empire of Japan during World War II. The key idea is to bypass heavily fortified enemy islands instead of trying to captu ...

. But, the US Naval built bases to the south,

Naval Base Peleliu Peleliu Naval Base was a major United States Navy sea and airbase base on Peleliu island, one of sixteen states of Palau. The United States Marine Corps took the island in the Battle of Peleliu during World War II. Battle of Peleliu was a cost ...

and Kossol Roads to the north of Babeldaob, to attack and cut off the bases. After

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

Babeldaob became part of Japan under the South Seas Mandate. In 1944, Japan built an airfield on Babeldaob, now

Roman Tmetuchl International Airport Roman Tmetuchl International Airport , also known as Palau International Airport is the main airport of Palau. It is located near the former capital Koror, just north of Ngetkib, Airai on Babeldaob island. The airport is 4 miles (6 km) from ...

. In the United States'

Battle of Peleliu The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II by the US military, was fought between the United States and Japan during the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign of World War II, from September 15 to November 27, 1944, on the island of ...

(September to November 1944) the US took control of the southern tip of Palau away from the

Imperial Japanese Army The was the official ground-based armed force of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945. It was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office and the Ministry of the Army, both of which were nominally subordinate to the Emperor o ...

. Babeldaob is also spelled Babelthuap Island. Kossol Roads was used by the

Imperial Japanese Navy The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN; Kyūjitai: Shinjitai: ' 'Navy of the Greater Japanese Empire', or ''Nippon Kaigun'', 'Japanese Navy') was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's surrender ...

for anchorage. The anchorage was supported by three land bases on Babeldaob. On September 15, 1944, the US Navy captured Kossol Roads at the start of the Battle of Peleliu. By September 24 US

minesweeper A minesweeper is a small warship designed to remove or detonate naval mines. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by naval mines, minesweepers keep waterways clear for safe shipping. History The earliest known usage of ...

s had cleared Kossol Roads of

naval mine A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to damage or destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, any ...

s and Kossol Roads lagoon was safe to use. Immediately US Navy ships started to arrive and the base was set up. The

USS Garland (AM-238) USS ''Garland'' (AM-238) was an ''Admirable''-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the Pacific Ocean. At war's end, she returned home with ...

, a minesweeper, was the gatekeeper and harbor control ship at the entrance to the lagoon. Kossol Roads Fleet Post Office # was 3027. Kossol Roads was supported by the even large base,

Naval Base Ulithi Naval Base Ulithi was major United States Navy base at the Ulithi Atoll in the Caroline Islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea during World War II. The base was built to support the island hoping Pacific war e ...

, to the east. At Kossol Roads, also called Kossol Anchorage or Kossol Passage, the US Navy set up a large floating base. The floating base was called a service squadron. A Service Squadron had all the vessels needed to operate a base, the same as a land base would have. Kossol Roads was used as an assembly area for convoys, fleets and Task force. The base was also a refueling stop for ships heading east or west. The Service Squadron was able to do repairs and resupply of the ships at Kossol Roads. Kossol Roads was a fleet staging area to support upcoming operations in the Philippines campaign including the

Battle of Mindoro The Battle of Mindoro ( Filipino: ''Labanan sa Mindoro'') was a battle in World War II between forces of the United States and Japan, in Mindoro Island in the central Philippines, from 13–16 December 1944, during the Philippines Campaign. Tr ...

, Battle of Leyte Gulf and

Invasion of Lingayen Gulf The Invasion of Lingayen Gulf ( fil, Paglusob sa Golpo ng Lingayen), 6–9 January 1945, was an Allies of World War II, Allied Amphibious warfare, amphibious operation in the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Philippines during World War II. In t ...

Luzon Luzon (; ) is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the Philippines archipelago, it is the economic and political center of the nation, being home to the country's capital city, Manila, as ...

. With the construction of

Leyte-Samar Naval Base Leyte-Samar Naval Base was a large United States Navy base in the Philippines on the Islands of Leyte and Samar. The Base was built during World War II to support the many naval ships fighting and patrolling in the South West Pacific theatre of ...

] in the Philippines in late 1944, much of the operation at Kossol Roads moved to more forward bases. Kossol Roads continued to be a refueling station till the end of the war on Victory over Japan Day, VJ-Day.

Kossol Roads lagoon

The deep lagoon the Navy set up fleet anchorage and a major

US Naval Advance Base US Naval Advance Bases were built globally by the United States Navy during World War II to support and project U.S. naval operations world-wide. A few were built on allied soil, but most were captured enemy facilities or completely new. Advanc ...

Service Squadron 3 A Service Squadron (ServRon) was a United States Navy squadron that supported fleet combat ships and US Navy Auxiliary ships. Service Squadrons were used by the US Navy from their inception in 1943 to as late as the early 1980s. At the time of th ...

was based at Kossol Roads lagoon. Service Squadron 3 provided logistic support for Commander Service Force in the Western Pacific. Service Squadron 3 operated as a Mobile Logistic Support, able to travel to ports where support was needed. Parts of

Service Squadron 10 A Service Squadron (ServRon) was a United States Navy squadron that supported fleet combat ships and US Navy Auxiliary ships. Service Squadrons were used by the US Navy from their inception in 1943 to as late as the early 1980s. At the time of th ...

were also stationed at Kossol Roads as needed. A Service Squadron is a floating Naval Base, with all the support a land base would give. In the Service Squadron were all the supplies and repair depot support the fleet needed. The Service Squadron had:

Fleet Oilers A replenishment oiler or replenishment tanker is a naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry cargo holds which can supply both fuel and dry stores during underway replenishment (UNREP) at sea. Many countries have used replenishment oilers. The ...

(AO), Gasoline Tanker (AOG), Repair Ships (AR), Ammunition ships (AE),

Destroyer Tender A destroyer tender or destroyer depot ship is a type of depot ship: an auxiliary ship designed to provide maintenance support to a flotilla of destroyers or other small warships. The use of this class has faded from its peak in the first half of ...

s (AD),

Tugboats A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, su ...

Barges Barge nowadays generally refers to a flat-bottomed inland waterway vessel which does not have its own means of mechanical propulsion. The first modern barges were pulled by tugs, but nowadays most are pushed by pusher boats, or other vessels ...

, Seaplane tenders,

hospital ship A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital. Most are operated by the military forces (mostly navies) of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones. ...

(AH),

Net laying ship A net laying ship, also known as a net layer, net tender, gate ship or boom defence vessel was a type of naval auxiliary ship. A net layer's primary function was to lay and maintain steel anti-torpedo or anti-submarine nets. Nets could be laid ...

s (AN),

barracks ship A barracks ship or barracks barge or berthing barge, or in civilian use accommodation vessel or accommodation ship, is a ship or a non-self-propelled barge containing a superstructure of a type suitable for use as a temporary barracks for s ...

s (APL), Small Auxiliary Floating Dry Docks,

stores ship Store may refer to: Enterprises * Retail store, a shop where merchandise is sold, usually products and usually on a retail basis, and where wares are often kept ** App store, an online retail store where apps are sold, included in many mobile op ...

and

submarine tender A submarine tender is a type of depot ship that supplies and supports submarines. Development Submarines are small compared to most oceangoing vessels, and generally do not have the ability to carry large amounts of food, fuel, torpedoes, and ...

s (AS). The repair ship USS Argonne (AS-10) became the

flagship A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, characteristically a flag officer entitled by custom to fly a distinguishing flag. Used more loosely, it is the lead ship in a fleet of vessels, typically the fi ...

for the base. Work was rough on November 7, 1944, when strong winds hit the lagoon with gusts up to 75 knots.

Rubber boat An inflatable boat is a lightweight boat constructed with its sides and bow made of flexible tubes containing pressurised gas. For smaller boats, the floor and hull is often flexible, while for boats longer than , the floor typically consists ...

s had to be used to supply the seaplanes, as they would not damage the plane it bumped. The planes had to be ready for missions the next day. Japanese submarine I-53 succeeded in launching four

Kaiten were crewed torpedoes and suicide craft, used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the final stages of World War II. History In recognition of the unfavorable progress of the war, towards the end of 1943 the Japanese high command considered s ...

s, manned torpedoes, off Kossol Roads, all have problems and none reached ships in the lagoon.

Kossol Roads repair depot

The US Navy set up a ship and boat repair depot at Naval Base Kossol. The repair depot provided the fleet with support to keep ships and boats tactically available in the Pacific War with the repair and supply depot, rather than ships having to return to

continental United States The contiguous United States (officially the conterminous United States) consists of the 48 adjoining U.S. states and the Federal District of the United States of America. The term excludes the only two non-contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii ...

. The Navy had built special

auxiliary floating drydock An auxiliary floating drydock is a type of US Navy floating dry dock. Floating dry docks are able to submerge underwater and to be placed under a ship in need of repair below the water line. Water is then pumped out of the floating dry dock, ...

s that were able to repair battle damage to even the largest ships and do regular maintenance in the field saving ships trans-pacific travel time for repair. Supply store ships were also at the base with the parts needed to keep the fleet ready. USS Argonne (AS-10) was damaged at Kossol Roads in an accident, she was repaired at the depot. The

destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...

USS Wadleigh (DD-499) had repair work after hitting a mine near the base. *Some of the Kossol Roads repair depot ships and crafts: *

USS Oak Ridge (ARDM-1) USS ''Oak Ridge'' (ARD-19/ARDM-1) was originally a United States Navy Auxiliary floating drydock suitable for dry docking destroyers, submarines and landing craft, built by the Pacific Bridge Company. In the early 1960s she was upgraded to supp ...

Auxiliary floating drydock An auxiliary floating drydock is a type of US Navy floating dry dock. Floating dry docks are able to submerge underwater and to be placed under a ship in need of repair below the water line. Water is then pumped out of the floating dry dock, ...

USS ARD-17 USS ''ARD-17'' was an built for the U.S. Navy during World War II as an Auxiliary floating drydock. Like most of the ships of her class, she was not named but known only by her designation. History ''ARD-17'' was built at Pacific Bridge Company ...

, Auxiliary floating drydock * USS Prometheus (AR-3), repair ship *

USS Endymion (ARL-9) USS ''Endymion'' (ARL-9) was one of 39 ''Achelous''-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Endymion (in Greek mythology, a handsome Aeolian shepherd or hunter), she was the only U.S. ...

, repair ship *

USS Oceanus (ARB-2) USS ''Oceanus'' (ARB-2) was planned as a United States Navy , but was redesignated as one of twelve ''Aristaeus''-class battle damage repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Oceanus (believed to be the worl ...

, repair ship

Kossol Roads seaplane base

In Kossol Roads lagoon all of the seaplane base operations were carried out by seaplane tenders in the lagoon. Seaplanes did reconnaissance patrols and search, also rescue missions for downed aircrew mem and survivors of sunk ships. The most common seaplanes at the base were

Consolidated PBY Catalina The Consolidated PBY Catalina is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft that was produced in the 1930s and 1940s. In Canadian service it was known as the Canso. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. Catalinas served wi ...

and

Martin PBM Mariner The Martin PBM Mariner was an American patrol bomber flying boat of World War II and the early Cold War era. It was designed to complement the Consolidated PBY Catalina and PB2Y Coronado in service. A total of 1,366 PBMs were built, with the fir ...

. The seaplane base take-off and landing was a spot was marked off in the atoll. Seaplane tenders had stores to supply: food, fuel, ammo, freshwater, and spare parts. The seaplane tender also had housing and mess halls for the aircrew while the seaplane was being serviced. Other seaplane tenders came to Naval Base Kossol to resupply the ship's stores before returning to a

. Some came to the Kossol repair depot to be repaired. Units base at Kossol seaplane base:

VPB-202 VPB-202 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron Two Hundred Two (VP-202) on 15 September 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron Two Hundred Two (VPB-202) on 1 October 1944 and disestablis ...

VP-21 VP-21 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 7-B (VP-7B) on 23 July 1929, redesignated Patrol Squadron 7-F (VP-7F) on 1 July 1931, redesignated Patrol Squadron 7 (VP-7) on 1 October 1937, redesigna ...

VP-17 VP-17, nicknamed the ''White Lightnings'', was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Reserve Patrol Squadron VP-916 on 1 July 1946. It was redesignated as Medium Patrol Squadron VP-ML-66 on 15 November 1946, as VP-72 ...

, VPB-216, VP-41,

VH-1 VH1 (originally an initialism of Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network based in New York City and owned by Paramount Global. It was created by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communi ...

VPB-16 VPB-16 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) on 20 December 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 16 (VPB-16) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 30 June 1945. Operatio ...

, and VPB-21. Many units moved to other bases, VPB-21 was the last seaplane to depart. Some seaplane tenders at Naval Base Kossol: USS Tangier (AV-8), USS Chandeleur (AV-10), USS Kenneth Whiting (AV-14), USS Pocomoke (AV-9),

USS Mackinac (AVP-13) The second USS ''Mackinac'' (AVP-13) was a United States Navy small seaplane tender in commission from 1942 to 1947 that saw service during World War II. After the war, she was in commission in the United States Coast Guard from 1949 to 1967 ...

, USS Yakutat (AVP-32),

USS Onslow (AVP-48) USS ''Onslow'' (AVP-48) was a United States Navy ''Barnegat''-class seaplane tender in commission from 1943 to 1947 and from 1951 to 1960. Constructioning and commissioning ''Onslow'' was laid down on 18 May 1942 by Lake Washington Shipyard ...

USS St. George (AV-16) USS ''St. George'' (AV-16) was a in the United States Navy. ''St. George'' was laid down on 4 August 1943 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, Tacoma, Washington, launched on 14 February 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Alfred E. Montgomery; ...

USS Suisun (AVP-53) USS ''Suisun'' (AVP-53) was a United States Navy Barnegat class seaplane tender, ''Barnegat''-class small seaplane tender in commission from 1944 to 1955. It was named for northern California's Suisun Bay, which takes its name from the Native Ame ...

and

USS Chincoteague (AVP-24) USS ''Chincoteague'' (AVP-24) was a United States Navy seaplane tender in commission from 1943 to 1946 that saw service in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, she was in commission in the United States Coast Guard as the cutter U ...

Stationed at Kossol

Hundreds of ships anchored at Kossol, some stationed, some in for repair or resupply. United States Merchant Navy ships would unload supplies at Naval Base Kossol to keep the fleet and base supplied. The Service Squadron, a floating base with

tankers Tanker may refer to: Transportation * Tanker, a tank crewman (US) * Tanker (ship), a ship designed to carry bulk liquids ** Chemical tanker, a type of tanker designed to transport chemicals in bulk ** Oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tank ...

Fleet oilers A replenishment oiler or replenishment tanker is a naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry cargo holds which can supply both fuel and dry stores during underway replenishment (UNREP) at sea. Many countries have used replenishment oilers. The ...

, refrigerator ships, ammunition ships, supply ships, floating docks and

repair ship A repair ship is a naval auxiliary ship designed to provide maintenance support to warships. Repair ships provide similar services to destroyer, submarine and seaplane tenders or depot ships, but may offer a broader range of repair capability incl ...

s. * USS Ponaganset (AO-86), Freshwater tanker, 90,000 barrels of freshwater * USS Mazama (AE-9),

ammunition Ammunition (informally ammo) is the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon or weapon system. Ammunition is both expendable weapons (e.g., bombs, missiles, grenades, land mines) and the component parts of other weap ...

tender *

USS Sangay (AE-10) The USS ''Sangay'' (AE-10) was an ammunition ship in service with the United States Navy from 1943 to 1947. After spending decades in reserve, she was sold for scrapping in November 1980. History USS ''Sangay'' was named after the Sangay volc ...

, ammunition tender * USS Lassen (AE-3), ammunition tender *

USS Boulder Victory (AK-227) USS ''Boulder Victory'' (AK-227) was a acquired by the US Navy during World War II. She was the lead ship of 20 ships in her class. She carried ammunition into the Pacific Ocean war zone and, on 20 December 1944 at Manus, New Guinea, she st ...

, ammunition tender * USS Mauna Loa (AE-8), ammunition tender * USS Amador, ammunition tender * USS Las Vegas Victory (AK-229), ammunition tender * USS Amador, ammunition tender * USS Amador, ammunition tender * USS Shasta (AE-6), ammunition tender *

SS Bluefield Victory The SS ''Bluefield Victory'' was the 16th Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on May 9, 1944, and completed on June 30, 1944. The ship’s Unite ...

, ammunition cargo * SS Elmira Victory, ammunition cargo * SS Iran Victory, ammunition cargo * SS Durham Victory, ammunition cargo *

, ammunition cargo * SS Elmira Victory, ammunition cargo * SS Durham Victory, ammunition cargo *

, ammunition cargo, hit mine a Kossol, damaged * USS Ransom (AM-283),

* USS Turkey (AM-13), minesweeper *

USS Vigilance (AM-324) USS ''Vigilance'' (AM-324) was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. ''Vigilance'' was originally laid down for the ''Royal Navy'' under t ...

, minesweeper *

USS Velocity (AM-128) USS ''Velocity'' (AM-128) was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. She was the second warship to bear the name. ''Velocity'' was laid do ...

, minesweeper *

USS Zeal (AM-131) Zeal may refer to: * Zealotry, fanaticism ** Zeal of the convert * Diligence, the theological virtue opposite to acedia * Zeal (horse), race horse * Zeal (surname) * Zeal (web), an internet directory * Zeal Monachorum, a village in Devon * Sout ...

, minesweeper *

USS Triumph (AM-323) USS ''Triumph'' (AM-323) was a World War II of the United States Navy. The ship was laid down as HMS ''Espoir'' (BAM-23) for the Royal Navy on 27 October 1942 at Seattle, Washington, by the Associated Shipbuilding Corp. The ship was taken o ...

, minesweeper *

USS Control (AM-164) USS Control (AM-164) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the Pacific Ocean. She was launched 28 January 1943 by Willamette ...

, minesweeper *

USS Design (AM-219) USS ''Design'' (AM-219) was a steel-hulled ''Admirable'' class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. A crew, trained in minesweeping, boarded the new vessel, and proceeded to the Pacific Ocean to clear minefields so that All ...

, minesweeper *

USS Ashtabula USS ''Ashtabula'' (AO-51) was a fleet oiler of the United States Navy in service from 1943 to 1991. She survived three wars and was awarded eight battle stars for World War II service, four battle stars for Korean War service, and eight camp ...

, oiler * USS Sebec (AO-87), oiler * USS Cahaba (AO-82), oiler *

USS Chepachet (AO-78) USS ''Chepachet'' (AO-78), originally named SS ''Eutaw Springs'', and later known as USNS ''Chepachet'' (T-AOT-78) until disposition, was a Suamico class fleet replenishment oiler, ''Suamico''-class fleet oiler, of the T2 tanker, T2-SE-A1 tanke ...

, oiler * USS Saranac (AO-74), oiler *

USS Big Horn (AO-45) USS ''Big Horn'' (AO-45/WAO-124/IX-207) was a Q-ship of the United States Navy named for the Bighorn River of Wyoming and Montana. History ''Gulf Dawn'', a single-screw oil Tanker (ship), tanker, was built in 1936 at Chester, Pennsylvania, by ...

, oiler *

, oiler * USS Caliente (AO-53), oiler * USS Sebec (AO-87), oiler * USS Ponaganset (AO-86), oiler * USS Chehalis (AOG-48), oiler * USS Kankakee (AO-39), oiler * USS Tolovana (AO-64), oiler * USS Kern (AOG-2), oiler * USS Mascoma (AO-83), oiler * USS Ocklawaha (AO-84), oiler *

, oiler * USS Suamico (AO-49), oiler * USS Cache (AO-67), oiler * USS Niobrara (AO-72), oiler *

USS Octorara (IX-139) USS ''Octorara'' (IX-139) was a tanker originally loaned to the Soviet Union during World War II and then returned to the United States in 1944. She was then commissioned by the U.S. Navy and served as a tanker for the remainder of the war. Lea ...

, oiler * USS Ashtabula (AO-51), oiler * USS Mascoma (AO-83), oiler * USS Niobrara (AO-72), oiler * USS Cache (AO-67), oiler *YO-186, concrete Barge

Type B ship The Type B ship is a United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) designation for World War II barges. Barges are very low cost to build, operate and move. Barges were needed to move large bulky cargo. A tug boat, some classed as Type V ships, co ...

, oiler * USS Kern (AOG-2), gasoline tanker *

USS Matar (AK-119) USS ''Matar'' (AK-119) was a , converted from a Liberty Ship, commissioned by the US Navy for service in World War II. She was first named after Napoleon B. Broward, an American river pilot, captain, and politician; he was elected as the 19th ...

, stores ship *

USS Achernar USS ''Achernar'' (AKA-53) was an attack cargo ship (a cargo ship designed to support amphibious warfare operations) of the United States Navy during World War II and after. For the invasion of Normandy it was the command post of General Omar ...

, stores ship * USS Gadsden (AK-182), stores ship * USS Megrez (AK-126), stores ship *

USS Supply (IX-147) The third USS ''Supply'' (IX-147/AVS-1) was a freighter and aviation supply ship of the United States Navy during World War II. The ship was built in 1921 by Doullet and Williams of New Orleans, Louisiana, and was operated by the American Pio ...

, stores ship * USS Lesuth (AK-125), stores ship *

USS Naos (AK-105) USS ''Naos'' (AK-105) was a commissioned by the US Navy for service in World War II. ''Naos'' was named after the star Naos, in the constellation Puppis. She was responsible for delivering troops, goods and equipment to locations in the Asiat ...

, stores ship * USS Pavo (AK-139), stores ship * USS Oriole (AMCU-33), mail ship * USS Arapaho (ATF-68)

Tugboat A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, su ...

Type V ship The Type V ship is a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) designation for World War II tugboats. Type V was used in World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Type V ships were used to move ships and barges. Type V tugboats were made o ...

* USS Munsee (ATF-107), Tug *

USS Allegheny (ATA-179) USS ''Allegheny'' (ATA-179) was an American auxiliary fleet tug launched in 1944 and serving until 1968. She underwent conversion to a research vessel in 1952. Construction The unnamed single-screw ocean-going tug ''ATA-179'' (originally proje ...

, Tug *

USS Zuni (ATF-95) USS ''Zuni'' (AT/ATF-95), a fleet tugboat, formerly called , was a ship of the United States Navy named for the Zuni, the popular name given to a tribe of Pueblo Indians indigenous to the area around the Zuni River in central New Mexico near ...

, Tug * Menominee (YTB-790), Tug * USS Pawnee (ATF-74), Tug *Small landing craft for moving supplies and personal *

Motor Launch A Motor Launch (ML) is a small military vessel in Royal Navy service. It was designed for harbour defence and submarine chasing or for armed high-speed air-sea rescue. Some vessels for water police service are also known as motor launches. ...

boats for moving personal USS Hope (AH-7) underway on 30 August 1944 (80-G-246912)

Kossol floating hospital

Naval Base Kossol was used as a forward Naval hospital. US Navy

s were stationed at Naval Base Kossol during parts of the war and some were stationed shortly as they joined staging for upcoming invasions. Hospital ships also were able to resupply and refuel at the base.An Overview of US Navy Hospital Ships, March 01, 2017, by LCDR Tom Burden, MSC, USN (Ret.), Surgeon General, Naval Order of the United States
'navalorder.org'' * USS Hope (AH-7), up to 400 patients * USS Mercy (AH-8), up to 400 patients

Net Laying

To protect the many ships at Kossol the Navy had

anti-torpedo net Torpedo nets were a passive ship defensive device against torpedoes. They were in common use from the 1890s until the Second World War. They were superseded by the anti-torpedo bulge and torpedo belts. Origins With the introduction of the Whitehe ...

installed. The ships: USS Zebra (AKN-5) and

USS Indus (AKN-1) USS ''Indus'' (AKN-1) was the lead ship of the Indus-class net cargo ship, ''Indus''-class of converted Liberty ship net cargo ships in the service of the United States Navy in World War II. Named after the constellation Indus (constellation), I ...

supplied the nets. The ships also installed the moorings at Kossol. *

s stationed at Kossol: *

USS Baretta USS ''Baretta'' (AN-41/YN-60) was an which served with the U.S. Navy in the western Pacific Ocean theatre of operations during World War II. After surviving war action and Pacific Ocean typhoons, and she returned home safely after the war with ...

* USS Chestnut (AN-11) *

USS Keokuk (CMc-6) USS ''Keokuk'' (AN-5/CM-8/CMc-6/AKN-4) was a minelayer, mine and net laying ship of the United States Navy during World War II. Laid down in 1914 as the by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, and renamed in 1940, she was acquired by the U.S. N ...

USS Catalpa (AN-10) USS ''Catalpa'' (AN-10/YN-5) was an Aloe-class net laying ship, ''Aloe''-class net laying ship which was assigned to serve the U.S. Navy ships and harbors during World War II with her protective anti-submarine nets. Built in Portland, Oregon Th ...

Submarine chaser and PT boat base

USS Willoughby (AGP-9) off Houghton (cropped)

To help protect the base and shipping around the base, Naval Base Kossol had a fleet of submarine chasers. Also stationed and passing through Kossol was

PT boat A PT boat (short for patrol torpedo boat) was a motor torpedo boat used by the United States Navy in World War II. It was small, fast, and inexpensive to build, valued for its maneuverability and speed but hampered at the beginning of the wa ...

s. The submarine chasers and PR boats were supported by a submarine chaser tender ships: USS Varuna (AGP-5) and

USS Willoughby (AGP-9) The second USS ''Willoughby'' (AGP-9) was a motor torpedo boat tender that served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946, seeing service in the later stages of World War II. Transferred to the United States Coast Guard in 1946, she was in ...

. Also was stationed at Kossol to support the fleet of submarine chasers and some crash boats.

crash boat Crash Rescue Boat is a name used in the United States to describe military high-speed offshore rescue boats, similar in size and performance to motor torpedo boats, used to rescue pilots and aircrews of crashed aircraft. During World War II th ...

s were fast boats use to rescue downed airmen. Some of the submarine chasers served at Eniwetok : USS Grinnell (PC-1230) and USS PC-1177. Patrol Craft Force part of Task Force 77, with PT 40: 130, 131, 134, 137, 151, 152, 323, 489, 490, 492, 493, 495, use base for refueling and repairs. Torpedo Boat Group TG 70.1 was at Kossol before departing to Leyte.

Fleet support

Kossol supported operations of the

7th fleet The Seventh Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. It is headquartered at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of ...

and 5th fleet. Naval Task forces used Kossol for staging upcoming missions. Task force 77 used Kossol for staging operations in the Philippines.

Task Force 38 The Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 38 when assigned to Third Fleet, TF 58 when assigned to Fifth Fleet), was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the Pacific War from January 1944 through the end of the war in August 1945. The tas ...

a Fast Carrier Task Force used Kossol for staging. Kossol had a target practice range for ships.

Gallery

File:South_Pacific_islands_1945.jpg, South Pacific islands in 1945 File:USSARD17inthePanamaCanal.jpg,

File:USS Argonne (AS-10) at anchor, circa in the early 1930s (NH 58034).jpg, USS Argonne (AS-10) tender ship File:USS Zebra AKN-5 Espiritu Santo New Hebrides Islands 29 February 1944.jpg, USS Zebra (AKN-5) net layer File:USS Supply (AVS-1).jpg, USS Supply (AVS-1) stores ship File:USS Big Horn.jpg,

fleet oiler File:USS Sebec (AO-87).jpg, USS Sebec (AO-87) fleet oiler

External links

youtube.com WW2 remains – planes and landing craft in Peleliu

youtube.com USO Wrecks of Palau (Lost in World War 2)

References

{{Palau-geo-stub Naval Stations of the United States Navy Military installations closed in the 1940s Closed installations of the United States Navy

History

Kossol Roads lagoon

Kossol Roads repair depot

Kossol Roads seaplane base

Stationed at Kossol

Kossol floating hospital

Net Laying

Submarine chaser and PT boat base

Fleet support

Gallery

See also

External links

References