Aitape-Wewak campaign

Aitape–Wewak campaign

Australian infantrymen resting on a river bank before attacking Japanese positions near Matapau in January 1945

Date	November 1944 – August 1945
Location	Aitape/Wewak/Sepik region, Territory of New Guinea
Result	Allied victory

Belligerents

Japan

Commanders and leaders

Jack Stevens

Hatazō Adachi

Strength

~ 13,000 men

~ 30,000–35,000

Casualties and losses

442 killed in action
145 dead from other causes
1,141 wounded

7,000 – 9,000 killed in action
14,000 dead from disease and hunger
269 captured

The Aitape–Wewak campaign was one of the final campaigns of the Pacific Theatre of World War II. 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 in northern New Guinea. Considered a "mopping up" operation by the Australians, and although ultimately successful for them with the Japanese forces cleared from the coastal areas and driven inland, amidst difficult jungle conditions, casualties from combat and disease were high. With Japan on the verge of defeat, such casualties later led to the strategic necessity of the campaign being called into question.

In 1942, the Japanese occupied the Aitape region in northern New Guinea as part of their general advance south. On 22 April 1944, however, United States Army forces—primarily the 163rd Regimental Combat Team from the 41st Infantry Division—landed and recaptured the area in order to help secure the flank of US forces fighting around Hollandia. Following this, Aitape was developed as base from which to support the continuing Allied drive towards the Philippines and the US forces in the area swelled to include elements of the 31st and 32nd Infantry Division. Largely these forces stayed inside a small defensive area around the airfield, and apart from the Battle of Driniumor River in July, fighting was limited. 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. Consequently, in early October 1944, troops from the Australian 6th Division along with some support personnel from the 3rd Base Sub Area began to arrive at Aitape to relieve the American garrison. The first unit to arrive was the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment and they began patrolling operations almost immediately.

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