The Battle of Milne Bay
25 August to 7 September 1942
The Battle of Milne Bay, fought between 25 August and 7 September 1942, marked the first decisive defeat of Japanese ground forces during World War II. The battle took place at the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea, where the Allies had established a series of airfields.
Recognising the strategic importance of these airfields, which could support operations across the Pacific region including the ongoing battle along the Kokoda Track, the Japanese aimed to capture them and thereby solidify their defensive perimeter.
On 26 August, the Japanese landed and advanced along the north shore of Milne Bay towards the airstrips. The Allied defenders were well-prepared, having been forewarned by intelligence reports of the impending attack.
RAAF Kittyhawks smashed many landing barges making it impossible for the Japanese to undertake water borne flanking movements along the coastline of the bay. Much equipment and ammunition was also destroyed. The Kittyhawks were supported by USAAF bombers operating from Charters Towers, Queensland and an American bomber sank one of the Japanese transport ships as it retreated out to sea.
The 25th, 61st and 2/10th Battalions bore the brunt of the early fighting against the Japanese advance while RAAF Kittyhawks and Hudson bombers harassed the Japanese. The Japanese regrouped to await reinforcements, but the Australians were prepared for the next Japanese attack which commenced at 3 am on 31 August 1942. The Japanese were unable to make headway and were forced to retreat.
Between 1 and 6 September, the Australians pressed forward against Japanese positions along the north shore of Milne Bay, gradually driving the enemy back to the initial landing site of 25 August. During those days the strafing of the RAAF Kittyhawks and the fire of the 2/5th Field Regiment supported the infantry. As they pulled back, the Japanese put up a hard fight.
By 6 September the remaining Japanese troops had evacuated. Field Marshal Sir William Slim, who would later serve as Governor-General of Australia, remarked of Milne Bay that “of all the Allies, it was Australia who first broke the spell of invincibility of the Japanese Army.”
The victory at Milne Bay not only marked a significant boost to Allied morale but also demonstrated the effectiveness of combined arms operations in the Pacific theatre, setting the stage for further successes in the campaign to roll back Japanese advances.
Sources
Sources: The Australian War Memorial, AWM London; Military Voice Blog