Naval Base Kossol Roads

The base was built to support the island hopping Pacific War efforts of the allied nations fighting the Empire of Japan.

The deep lagoon in the atoll offers excellent fleet anchorage for the largest ships.

In the United States' Battle of Peleliu (September to November 1944) the US took control of the southern tip of Palau away from the Imperial Japanese Army.

On September 15, 1944, the US Navy captured Kossol Roads at the start of the Battle of Peleliu.

The USS Garland (AM-238), a minesweeper, was the gatekeeper and harbor control ship at the entrance to the lagoon.

Kossol Roads was a fleet staging area to support upcoming operations in the Philippines campaign including the Battle of Mindoro, Battle of Leyte Gulf and Invasion of Lingayen Gulf on Luzon.

Kossol Roads continued to be a refueling station till the end of the war on VJ-Day.

[2][3] The deep lagoon the Navy set up fleet anchorage and a major US Naval Advance Base.

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

Japanese submarine I-53 succeeded in launching four Kaitens, manned torpedoes, off Kossol Roads, all have problems and none reached ships in the lagoon.

The Navy had built special auxiliary floating drydocks 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.

USS Argonne (AS-10) was damaged at Kossol Roads in an accident, she was repaired at the depot.

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 and Martin PBM Mariner.

Seaplane tenders had stores to supply: food, fuel, ammo, freshwater, and spare parts.

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