Aitape-Wewak campaign

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Aitape-Wewak campaign
Part of World War II, Pacific War
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
Australia United States	Empire of Japan
Commanders
?	?
Casualties and losses
442 killed; 1,141 wounded	9,000 killed; 269 prisoners

Western New Guinea campaign Reckless & Persecution – Wakde – Lone Tree Hill – Morotai – Biak – Noemfoor – Driniumor – Sansapor – Aitape-Wewak

v • d • e New Guinea campaign Rabaul (land battle) – Rabaul (1942 air raids) – Mo – Coral Sea – Kokoda Track – Milne Bay – Buna-Gona – Wau – Bismarck Sea – Salamaua-Lae – Cartwheel – Wewak raid – Finisterres – Huon Peninsula – Bougainville – Rabaul (1943 air raids) – New Britain – Admiralties – Western New Guinea

The Aitape-Wewak campaign took place in northern New Guinea between November 1944 and August 1945. Aitape had been occupied by the Japanese in 1942 and then recaptured by an American landing on 22 April 1944, it was developed as a base area to support the continuing drive towards the Philippines. In order to free American troops for the Philippine operations, defence of the area was passed to Australian forces. Troops of the 3rd Base Sub Area and the 6th Division began progressively relieving the Americans from early October 1944.

[edit] References

• Aitape-Wewak Campaign. Australia Military Units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 2007-06-01.