The Butcher's Bill

The Japanese defenses west of the Girua River were anchored on numerous hidden strong points along the Soputa-Sanananda Road. One such strongpoint was flanked and cut off by the men of Coy l, 3rd Bn, 126th IR under the command …

1942-12-10

M7

The Japanese defenses west of the Girua River were anchored on numerous hidden strong points along the Soputa-Sanananda Road. One such strongpoint was flanked and cut off by the men of Coy l, 3rd Bn, 126th IR under the command of Cathohn Shirley on 30 November. Shirley was soon killed by Japanese sniper fire and command fell to Capt Meredith Huggins. Huggins and the men of Coy l withstood repeated Japanese attacks from all directions for over twenty days with the timely help of resupply and reinforcements led by supply officer Lt Pete Dal Ponte. Coy I was finally relieved by the Australians of the 39m Infantry Battalion on 22 December.

Sanananda, 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

U.S.