Battle of Sattelberg

Part of the Pacific theatre of the Second World War

Sergeant Tom Derrick raising the Australian flag over Sattelberg mission

Date	17–25 November 1943
Location	Huon Peninsula, New Guinea
Result	Allied victory

Belligerents

Australia

United States

Japan

Commanders and leaders

Units involved

80th Infantry Regiment
79th Infantry Regiment
26th Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Company, 20th Engineer Regiment
20th Divisional Signals

Strength

~3,500 men

~2,800 men

Casualties and losses

49 men killed, 118 wounded

Heavy

9th Division

20th Division

The Battle of Sattelberg took place between 17 and 25 November 1943, during the Huon Peninsula campaign of the Second World War. Involving forces from Australia, the United States and Japan, the fighting centred on the Sattelberg mission station which was situated atop a hill about 900 metres (3,000 ft) above sea level, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) inland from Finschhafen, New Guinea. Following the Australian landing at Scarlet Beach, a large force of Japanese had retreated inland towards Sattelberg. Holding the high ground, the Japanese subsequently threatened the Australian lines of communication as they proceeded to advance south towards Finschhafen, and in order to neutralise this threat, the Australian 26th Brigade was tasked with capturing the mission. Over the course of 10 days they advanced west from Jivevaneng up the southern approaches to the mission, reducing the Japanese position with armour, artillery and air support, before the Japanese finally abandoned Sattelberg and withdrew north to Wareo, having suffered heavy casualties and running low on supplies.

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