Taking the Knoll

In order to secure Finschhafen as a forward operating base the Australian 9th Division needed to drive Col. Sadahike Miyake’s 80th Regiment from its positions in an around the village of Sattleburg. One of these positions was the village Jivavenang …

1943-10-09

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In order to secure Finschhafen as a forward operating base the Australian 9th Division needed to drive Col. Sadahike Miyake’s 80th Regiment from its positions in an around the village of Sattleburg. One of these positions was the village Jivavenang occupied by the Aussie’s in late September. This key position was under periodic counter attack by the Japanese of Lt. Col. Takagi’s Ill Bn., 80th Regt. To ease the pressure on Jivavenang the men of Capt. Sheldon’s Company, 2/17 Bn. led by native Papuan Scouts attacked and occupied a knoll to the east of village. After driving off the small Japanese force occupying the knoll Capt. Sheidon’s men were subject to fierce Japanese counter attacks to retake the knoll.

Jivevenang, New Guinea

The Battle of Finschhafen was part of the Huon Peninsula campaign in New Guinea during World War II and was fought between Australian and Japanese forces. The fighting took place between 22 September and 24 October 1943 following the landing at Scarlet Beach, which was followed by a two-pronged advance on Finschhafen as the Australian 20th Infantry Brigade advanced on the town from the north, while the 22nd Infantry Battalion drove from the south, having advanced from the landing beaches east of Lae. After the capture of Finschhafen, the Japanese forces in the area withdrew towards Sattelberg where they sought to hold the Australians before launching a counteroffensive, which subsequently threatened the landing beach. This attack was repelled by American and Australian forces, with heavy casualties being inflicted on the Japanese. In the aftermath, the Australians went on the offensive, capturing Sattelberg, and then advancing towards the Wareo plateau.

Wikipedia: Battle of Finschhafen

Japanese

Commonwealth