World War II History, Bora Bora

World War II on Bora Bora

Following the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, the United States entered World War II. The U.S. chose Bora Bora as a South Pacific military supply base, and an oil depot, airstrip, seaplane base, and defensive fortifications were constructed. Known as "Operation Bobcat", it maintained a supply force of nine ships, 20,000 tons of equipment and nearly 7,000 men. Seven massive naval cannons were set up at strategic points around the island to protect it against potential military attack.
However, the island saw no combat as the American presence on Bora Bora went uncontested over the course of the war. Although the base was officially closed on 2 June 1946, many American personnel chose to remain on the island.^{[citation needed]} The World War II airstrip, which was never able to accommodate large aircraft, was French Polynesia's only international airport until Faa'a International Airport was opened in Papeete, Tahiti in 1960.^[2]

 

COASTAL GUNS FROM WORLD WAR II

The "Guns of Bora Bora" have an interesting history behind them...
What are 7 giant cannons doing on a tiny tropical island in the middle of the pacific ocean, one might ask? For those of you who are WWII history buffs, the answer might be obvious, but for most, its a mystery that needs tobe answered.

These cannons are remnants of a time gone by when America didn't always have the military confidence it now enjoys. They are, of course, perched on various different strategic points throughout the island as military defense outposts... guarding the island of Bora bora from "capture or control" from our WW II arch-enemies, the Japanese, while protecting the island that the United States had chosen as a supply base for material en route to the Solomon Islands. (Remember Guadalcanal...)

Operation Bobcat, as it was called, transformed the island of Bora Bora into a stronghold of the US, chosen for its strategic location in the Pacific... Leaving South Carolina in late January, 1942, only a few weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a supply force of nine ships, 20,000 tons of equipment, and nearly 5,000 men travelled to Bora bora. From early 1942 to mid 1946, Operation Bobcat remained in action, and at its high point, utilized the military services of nearly 6,000 men.

In their prime, these massive seven inch naval cannons over 20 feet long on their swivel bases were quite capable of protecting the important lagoon passes from any possibility of military takeover with powerful explosive blasts...

Nowadays, they aren't used for such things... (and in fact never had to be fired in an actual military conflict situation) They are rusty now, but still impressive. Tourists from all over the world now regularly walk, climb, balance, sit, and take pictures on them and try and imagine the past and their purpose... while locals sometimes hang out and party on them at sunset.