Cape Gloucester (also known as Tuluvu) is a headland, on the northern side of the far west of the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea, at 5°27′S 148°25′E / 5.45°S 148.417°E / -5.45; 148.417Coordinates: 5°27′S 148°25′E / 5.45°S 148.417°E / -5.45; 148.417. During World War II, the Japanese captured New Britain, and had driven most of Cape Gloucester's native population out to construct two airfields. During the New Britain Campaign, American forces had decided to capture Cape Gloucester for its two airfields, to assist planned attacks on the garrison on Rabaul, an important area in New Britain. It became the site of the Battle of Cape Gloucester, part of Operation Cartwheel, in 1943. After long fighting through rain, and Japanese, the United States 1st Marine Division had it declared secured. After the war, the headland was given back to the natives.
Famous quotes containing the word cape:
“Wishing to get a better view than I had yet had of the ocean, which, we are told, covers more than two thirds of the globe, but of which a man who lives a few miles inland may never see any trace, more than of another world, I made a visit to Cape Cod.... But having come so fresh to the sea, I have got but little salted.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)