Battle of Milne Bay
Milne Bay, near Alotau, Papua New Guinea
What happened
Australian and American forces under Major General Cyril Clowes fought Japanese naval landing forces under Commander Shojiro Hayashi and then Commander Minoru Yano. Japanese troops landed at Milne Bay, on the eastern tip of New Guinea, to capture the Allied airfields. Australian soldiers held their ground and then counter-attacked, helped by Allied aircraft. Heavy rain turned the tracks to mud, and after two weeks the Japanese withdrew by sea.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major land battle in the Pacific War in which Allied troops clearly defeated Japanese forces. It was the first full-scale defeat of Japanese forces on land in the Pacific War.
What came next
Milne Bay became a large Allied base for later operations in New Guinea. A memorial park now stands at the old battle site near Alotau.
Did you know?
Milne Bay's code name was 'Fall River', and some supplies were mistakenly shipped to the real Fall River, in Massachusetts.
Timeline
- 25 August 1942Japanese forces land at Milne Bay.
- Late August 1942Australian forces hold the airfields and counter-attack.
- 7 September 1942The fighting ends after the Japanese withdraw.
- After 1942Milne Bay becomes a major Allied base, used for the landing at Lae.