Event New Guinea Campaign

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Was a military campaign that started when Japan invaded the island of New Guinea.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

  • September 1942: By September 1942 most of New Guinea island is occupied by Japan.
  • September 1942: By September 1942 most of New Guinea island is occupied by Japan.
  • September 1942: By September 1942 most of New Guinea island is occupied by Japan.
  • July 1942: The Japanese occupied the village of Gona, Territory of Papua.
  • September 1942: By September 1942 most of New Guinea island is occupied by Japan.
  • February 1942: Battle of Rabaul.

1. Kokoda Track Campaign

A series of battles fought between July and November 1942 by the Japanese invaders and the Allies, in what was then the Australian Territory of Papua.

  • January 1943: Australian forces capture Buna on 2 January 1943.
  • August 1942: Japanese attack Maroubra Force at Deniki in strength, forcing it back beyond Isurava, 5 miles from Deniki.
  • November 1942: Australian 16th Brigade forces Japanese from Oivi toward Kumusi River mouth.
  • November 1942: Australian 16th Brigade forces Japanese from Oivi toward Kumusi River mouth.
  • July 1942: Japanese clash with Australian Maroubra Force near Awala, forcing Australians back toward Wairopi.
  • August 1942: Japanese forces occupy Kokoda.
  • August 1942: Japanese attack Maroubra Force at Deniki in strength, forcing it back beyond Isurava, 5 miles from Deniki.
  • August 1942: Isolated and under attack, the Japanese withdrew from Kokoda during the night of 9 August.
  • October 1942: Australian forces advanced to Kokoda Trail, in the vicinity of Eora Creek, where fighting continued with the Japanese.
  • January 1942: The Allies failed to neutralize the remaining Japanese positions near Sanananda.
  • August 1942: Japanese attack Maroubra Force at Deniki in strength, forcing it back beyond Isurava, 5 miles from Deniki.
  • September 1942: The Japanese consolidated their defensive position at Imita Ridge.
  • December 1942: Gona is taken by the Australians. Japanese sustain heavy casualties while trying unsuccessfully to withdraw from Gona to Giruwa.
  • January 1943: Australian forces capture Buna on 2 January 1943.
  • October 1942: Australian forces advanced to Kokoda Trail, in the vicinity of Eora Creek, where fighting continued with the Japanese.
  • August 1942: Japanese forces occupy Kokoda.
  • September 1942: The Japanese consolidated their defensive position at Imita Ridge.
  • July 1942: Japanese clash with Australian Maroubra Force near Awala, forcing Australians back toward Wairopi.
  • December 1942: Gona is taken by the Australians. Japanese sustain heavy casualties while trying unsuccessfully to withdraw from Gona to Giruwa.

2. Battle of Wau

Was a battle between the Allies and the Japanese forces in the area of Wau, New Guinea, during World War II.

  • March 1942: The Japanese landed on the Huon Gulf.

3. Japanese invasion of Dutch New Guinea

Was the Japanese invasion of the western part of New Guinea Island, at the time part of the Dutch East Indies.

  • April 1942: Japanese conquest of Babo.
  • April 1942: Hollandia conquered by japan.

4. Battle of Milne Bay

Was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II in the Australian Territory of Papua.

  • September 1942: Australian forces defeat the Japanese who leave Milne Bay.
  • August 1942: The Japanese had landed at Milne Bay on 25 August.

5. Markham and Ramu Valley - Finisterre Range campaign

Was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II in the Australian Territory of New Guinea.

  • October 1943: Battle of Dumpu.
  • September 1943: Australian forces take Kaipit.
  • September 1943: Australian amphibious assault at Scarlet Beach.
  • April 1944: Australian forces enter Madang, from which enemy has withdrawn.
  • October 1943: Battle of Dumpu.
  • January 1944: Battle of Shaggy Ridge.
  • April 1944: Australian forces enter Madang, from which enemy has withdrawn.
  • September 1943: Australian forces take Kaipit.

6. Salamaua-Lae campaign

Was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II in the Australian Territory of New Guinea.

  • September 1943: The Japanese garrison at Salamaua withdrew and it was captured by Austrlian forces.
  • September 1943: The Japanese garrison at Salamaua withdrew and it was captured by Austrlian forces.
  • September 1943: Australian forces continue to advance toward Lae.
  • September 1943: Australian forces continue to advance toward Lae.

7. Huon Peninsula campaign

Was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II in the Australian Territory of New Guinea.

  • January 1944: US Army landing at Saidor.
  • January 1944: US Army landing at Saidor.
  • October 1943: The Australian army takes control of Finschhafen and its airfield.
  • November 1943: Sattelberg falls to troops of Australian 9th Division.

8. New Britain campaign

Was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II in the Australian Territory of New Guinea.

  • October 1944: Australian conquest of Cape Hoskins.
  • December 1944: Japanese conquest of Bialla Plantation.
  • March 1944: Battle of Talasea.
  • January 1944: Battle of Cape Gloucester.
  • September 1945: Following the Surrender of Japan in 1945, civil administration of Papua and New Guinea was restored, and under the Papua New Guinea Provisional Administration Act (1945-46), Papua and New Guinea were combined in an administrative union.
  • September 1945: Following the Surrender of Japan in 1945, civil administration of Papua and New Guinea was restored, and under the Papua New Guinea Provisional Administration Act (1945-46), Papua and New Guinea were combined in an administrative union.
  • March 1945: Australian conquest of Tol.
  • September 1945: Following the Surrender of Japan in 1945, civil administration of Papua and New Guinea was restored, and under the Papua New Guinea Provisional Administration Act (1945-46), Papua and New Guinea were combined in an administrative union.
  • September 1945: Following the Surrender of Japan in 1945, civil administration of Papua and New Guinea was restored, and under the Papua New Guinea Provisional Administration Act (1945-46), Papua and New Guinea were combined in an administrative union.
  • January 1945: Australian conquest of Kiep.
  • December 1944: Australian conquest of Sampun.
  • January 1945: Australian conquest of Lolobau island, Ea Ea.
  • February 1945: Australian conquest of Kalai.
  • February 1945: Japanese conquest of Baia.
  • December 1944: Australian conquest of Cape Koas.
  • December 1944: Australian conquest of Sampun.
  • September 1945: Following the Surrender of Japan in 1945, civil administration of Papua and New Guinea was restored, and under the Papua New Guinea Provisional Administration Act (1945-46), Papua and New Guinea were combined in an administrative union.

9. Admirality Islands Campaign

Was a series of battles in the New Guinea campaign of World War II in which the United States Army's 1st Cavalry Division took the Japanese-held Admiralty Islands.

  • May 1944: The Admirality Islands Campaign is officially terminated by the Austrlian Sixth Army. The Islands are fully occupied.
  • March 1944: Australian advances during the Admirality Admirality Islands Campaign by March 6.
  • March 1944: Australian conquest of Rossum.
  • March 1944: Australian advances during the Admirality Admirality Islands Campaign by March 9.
  • March 1944: Australian advances during the Admirality Admirality Islands Campaign by March 7.
  • March 1944: Australian conquest of Lugos.
  • March 1944: Austrlian conquest of Butjuo Luo Islands.
  • March 1944: Austrlian forces overrun Lorengau.
  • March 1944: Australian advances during the Admirality Admirality Islands Campaign by March 8.
  • March 1944: Australian advances during the Admirality Admirality Islands Campaign by March 17.
  • March 1944: Australian advances during the Admirality Admirality Islands Campaign by March 16.

10. Western New Guinea campaign

Was a battle between the Allies and the Japanese forces in Western New Guinea, a Dutch territory under Japanese occupation.

  • August 1944: Battle of Biak.
  • October 1944: Morotai is occupied by American forces led by General Krueger.
  • April 1944: In Operation Reckless the U.S. 24th and the 41st Infantry Divisions landed at Tanahmerah and Humboldt bays.
  • August 1944: Noemfoor is occupied by American forces.
  • April 1944: In Operation Persecution, the 163rd Regimental Combat Team- detached from the U.S. 41st Infantry Division - and the No. 62 Works Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) simultaneously landed at Aitape.
  • August 1944: The American Sixth Army, declares Sansapor operation terminated. Sansopor is occupied by American forces.

Selected Sources

  • MacArthur, D. (1994): Reports of General MacArthur: The Campaigns of MacArthur in the Pacific. Volume 1, Center of Military History (Retrieved on https://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V1/), p. 139
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p. 188
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p. 194
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p. 28
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.133
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.135
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.136
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.138
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.149
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.159
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.181
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.251
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.260
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.295
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.47
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.49
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.51
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.54
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.59
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.65
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.73
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, p.81
  • Williams, M.H. (1989): United States army in World War II - Special Studies - Chronology 1941-1945, pp.52-53