Burning Buna

Combined Australian and American forces surrounded the desperate Japanese defenses at Buna during December 1942. After an opening barrage starting at 0530, various companies of 2/9th Battalion (Australian 16th Brigade) crossed the start line promptly at 0700 to assault the …

1942-12-18

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Combined Australian and American forces surrounded the desperate Japanese defenses at Buna during December 1942. After an opening barrage starting at 0530, various companies of 2/9th Battalion (Australian 16th Brigade) crossed the start line promptly at 0700 to assault the brilliantly hidden defenses of the New Strip and Cape Endaiadere by Ill/229th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Buna Garrison. While most of the assaulting companies had armor support C Company did not, and they quickly fell into a bitter hornet’s nest as they attempted to advance along the edge of the New Strip to protect B Company's flank.

Buna, New Guinea

The Battle of Buna–Gona was part of the New Guinea campaign in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. It followed the conclusion of the Kokoda Track campaign and lasted from 16 November 1942 until 22 January 1943. The battle was fought by Australian and United States forces against the Japanese beachheads at Buna, Sanananda and Gona. From these, the Japanese had launched an overland attack on Port Moresby. In light of developments in the Solomon Islands campaign, Japanese forces approaching Port Moresby were ordered to withdraw to and secure these bases on the northern coast. Australian forces maintained contact as the Japanese conducted a well-ordered rearguard action. The Allied objective was to eject the Japanese forces from these positions and deny them their further use. The Japanese forces were skillful, well prepared and resolute in their defense. They had developed a strong network of well-concealed defenses.

Wikipedia: Battle of Buna–Gona

Japanese

Australia