Aussie Alamo

In early January, the bitterly fought Buna-Gona campaign on the eastern coast of New Guinea was concluding. Further up the coastline, 4,000 Japanese troops of the veteran Slst Division landed in Salamaua, near Lac, and proceeded into the hinterland to capture Wau, a strategically located village in the New Guinea …

1943-01-28

AP166

In early January, the bitterly fought Buna-Gona campaign on the eastern coast of New Guinea was concluding. Further up the coastline, 4,000 Japanese troops of the veteran Slst Division landed in Salamaua, near Lac, and proceeded into the hinterland to capture Wau, a strategically located village in the New Guinea highland with an airstrip. However, with fortunate timing for the Allies, the 17th Australian Brigade, in reserve at Milne Bay, was in the process of being airlifted to Wau to reinforce Kanga Force, a company of Australian commandos currently utilizing the airlield as a base. The critical encounter in this campaign actually occurred two kilometers from Wan, at a tiny village called Wandumi, currently defended by a recently airlifted company of Australian regulars commanded by Captain Wilfred Sherlock and a section of commandos.

Wandumi, New Guinea

The Battle of Wau, 29 January – 4 February 1943, was a battle in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. Forces of the Empire of Japan sailed from Rabaul and crossed the Solomon Sea and, despite Allied air attacks, successfully reached Lae, where they disembarked. Japanese troops then advanced overland on Wau, an Australian base that potentially threatened the Japanese positions at Salamaua and Lae. A race developed between the Japanese moving overland, hampered by the terrain, and the Australians, moving by air, hampered by the weather. By the time the Japanese reached the Wau area after a trek over the mountains, the Australian defenders had been greatly reinforced by air. In the battle that followed, despite achieving tactical surprise by approaching from an unexpected direction, the Japanese attackers were unable to capture Wau.

Japanese

Australian

Scenario Type = Standard