Difference between revisions 121772585 and 121772588 on dewiki

[[Image:Work fight or perish (RC02370).jpg|thumb|An Australian Government leaflet bearing the likeness and signature of Prime Minister [[John Curtin]], telling Australians that they must make sacrifices for the war effort.]]
(contracted; show full) the fall of Lae the 9th Division was given the task of [[Huon Peninsula campaign|capturing the Huon Peninsula]]. The 20th Brigade landed near the strategic port of [[Finschhafen]] on 22 September 1943 and swiftly secured the port and the nearby coastline. The Japanese responded by dispatching the [[20th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|20th Division]] overland to the area and the remainder of the 9th Division was gradually brought in to reinforce the 20th Brigade against the expected counter-attack. The 
20th DivisionJapanese mounted a strong attack in mid-October which was defeated by the Australians9th Division after heavy fighting. During the second half of November the 9th Division captured the hills inland of Finschhafen from well dug in Japanese forces. Following thits defeat the 20th Division retreated along the coast with the 9th Division and [[4th Brigade (Australia)|4th Brigade]] in pursuit.<ref>Long (1973). Pages 331-343.</ref> The Allies scored a major intelligence victory towards the end of this campaign when Australian engineers found the 20th Division's entire [[cipher]] library which had been buried by the retreating Japanese. These documents led to a [[Cryptanalysis|code breaking]] break through which enabled General MacArthur to accelerate the Allied advance by bypassing Japanese defences.<ref>Coates (2006). Page 254.</ref>
[[Image:Aust ships Cape Gloucester (106687).jpg|thumb|left|HMAS ''Australia'' and [[HMAS Arunta (I30)|HMAS ''Arunta'']] bombarding Cape Gloucester]]

While the 9th Division secured the coastal region of the Huon Peninsula the 7th Division drove the Japanese from the Peninsula's inland [[Finisterre Range]]. The [[Finisterre Range campaign]] began on 17 September when the 2/6th Independent Company was air-landed in the Markham Valley. The Company defeated a larger Japanese force and secured an airstrip which was used to fly the Division's 21st and 25th Brigades in. Through aggressive patrolling the Australians forced the Japanese out of positions in extremely rugged terrain and in January 1944 the division began its attack on the key [[Shaggy Ridge]] position. The ridge was taken by the end of January, with the RAAF playing a key supporting role. Following this success the Japanese withdrew from the Finisterre Range and Australian troops linked up with American patrols from their beachhead at Saidor on 21 April and secured [[Madang]] on 24 April.<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 254-257.</ref>

In addition to supporting the Army's role on the New Guinea mainland, the RAN and RAAF took part in offensive operations in the [[Solomon Islands]]. This involvement had begaun in August 1942 when both of the RAN's [[heavy cruiser]]s, [[HMAS Australia (D84)|HMAS ''Australia'']] and [[HMAS Canberra (D33)|HMAS ''Canberra'']] supported the US Marine [[Guadalcanal Campaign|landing at Guadalcanal]]. On the night after thise landing HMAS ''Canberra'' was lost during the [[Battle of Savo Island]]. Following the defeat at Savo Isl  and the RAN played no further role in the [[Guadalcanal Campaign]].<ref>Frame (2004). Pages 183-184.</ref> RAAF aircraft supported several US Army and Marine landings during 1943 and 1944 and a RAAF radar unit also participated in the [[Battle of Arawe|capture of Arawe]]. Several Australian cruisers and destroyers provided fire support for the [[1st Marine Division (United States)|US 1st Marine Division]] during the [[Battle of Cape Gloucester]] and the [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)|US (contracted; show full)
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/index.html |title=Australia's War 1939—1945 |accessdate= |author= |date= |work= |publisher=[[Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)|Department of Veterans' Affairs]] }}


{{Australian Military History}}
{{WWIIHistory}}

[[Category:Military history of Australia during World War II| ]]