This turned out to be a better area than Blue Beach, and the mistake actually aided the invasion. Crash Site & Remains P-40N Kittyhawk A29-527 Aitape - West Sepik. The battle of Aitape (22-24 April 1944) was carried out in support of the larger landings at Hollandia, and was designed to provide a shield against any possible intervention by Japanese forces further to the west at Wewak. Between November 1944 and the end of the war in August 1945, the Australian 6th Division, with air and naval support, fought the Imperial Japanese 18th Army [8], The operations were characterised by prolonged small-scale patrolling with small-scale company attacks. 71 Wing RAAF, which included Nos. New Guinea during ★ Aitape. The Japanese were caught out and both places fell easily. In 1942 the Japanese occupied the Aitape region in northern New Guinea as part of their general advance south. [7] During this period there had been very little contact between the Japanese and US forces in the area,[8] and US forces had remained on a primarily defensive footing, restricting their operations to limited patrols around their position on the Driniumor. HMAS Hobart, Arunta, Warramunga, Swan and HMS Newfoundland (of the British Pacific Fleet) as well as the RAAF bombarded the Wewak defences. At Aitape the attack was carried out by the 163rd Regimental Combat Team of the 41st Division, commanded by General Jens Doe. As preparations began for this drive, it was decided that defence of the area would be passed to Australian forces in order to release the American troops for service elsewhere. the Second World War The Japanese had built two airfields at Aitape. A series of minor actions followed, but no significant engagements took place, and at the end of four weeks the Australians had reached Wallum, about 45 miles (72 km) east of Aitape. The Allies began to prepare for their next move, and chose to leapfrog the Japanese positions at Wewak and Hansa Bay and go straight for Hollandia, on the coast of Dutch New Guinea (Operation Reckless). [14], In the Torricelli Mountains, the 17th Brigade continued its advance against stubborn Japanese defence. Nevertheless, by 23 April 1945, they had secured Maprik. Aitape is a small town of about 18,000 people on the north coast of Papua New Guinea in the Sandaun Province. The attack, which began in November 1944, proceeded along two axes—the 19th Brigade moved along the coast towards the Japanese base at Wewak, while the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment, working with ANGAU detachments, advanced into the Torricelli Mountains, driving towards Maprik, which provided the Japanese with most of their supplies. Aitape, Tadji, Battle of the Driniumor River: May 3rd - July 18th, 1944. As a result, the Australian planning staff believed they faced three Japanese divisions—the 20th, 41st and 51st Divisions—all of which had been reduced to brigade-strength. A TEAM of Australian Army personnel have completed the exhuming of war casualties at Vokau village in Aitape, West Sepik, with the unveiling of a … Hollandia had the best natural harbour on that part of the coast, and was the point from where MacArthur wanted to turn north to attack the Philippines, but it was a long way past the most advanced Allied positions. Aitape–Wewak campaign. [15] These operations continued until 11 August, by which time the 16th Brigade had reached Numoikum, about 23 kilometres (14 mi) from Wewak, while the 17th Brigade had captured Kairivu, 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Wewak. [8] Heavy fighting continued for four days after this, and the Australians resorted to the use of flame throwers for the first time in the war, using them effectively against heavily entrenched Japanese positions; the weapon had a profound psychological effect, boosting the morale of the Australians and sapping that of the Japanese defenders, many of whom simply fled in the face of flame thrower teams. The Australian portion of the Aitape-Wewak campaign took place in northern New Guinea between November 1944 and August 1945. At that point in time, I was running … a 2-inch mortar* crew. Patrols by the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment preceded the main Australian advance of the 6th Division. Attacked by aircraft from the Japanese had built two airfields at Aitape About Us - Subscribe in a -! Towards Wewak on Hollandia was undertaken to encircle Wewak and Hansa Bay Site of the day... 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