HMAS Ladava (naval base)

HMAS Ladava
Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea
Coordinates	10°19′48″S 150°21′07″E / 10.329891°S 150.351865°E / -10.329891; 150.351865
Type	Naval base
Site information
Operator	Royal Australian Navy
Site history
Fate	Decommissioned
Battles/wars	Pacific War of World War II Battle of Milne Bay

HMAS Ladava is a former Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base that was located at Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea.^[1]

The Australian armed forces operated a number of bases in Milne Bay during World War II. Australians were able to defend and keep Milne Bay in the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942. Some bases: Rabi Camp (also spelled Rabe) was attacked by Japan in 1942. Rabi Camp was on the north shore in Swinger Bay at 10°17′50″S 150°24′33″E / 10.297247°S 150.409053°E / -10.297247; 150.409053. KB Mission camp (Koebule Mission) was on the north shore east of Rabi Camp at 10°18′30″S 150°25′57″E / 10.308442°S 150.432485°E / -10.308442; 150.432485, in the city of Alotau. Waga Waga Camp was at 10°24′54″S 150°24′42″E / 10.415072°S 150.411784°E / -10.415072; 150.411784, on the south shore. At Konibirrubirru Island was an Australian Wireless Spotters Station. Main camp was at HMAS Ladava. Later the US Navy built Naval Base Milne Bay nearby and in some of HMAS Ladava camps.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}