Australia–Japan Research Project at the Australian War Memorial
Army operations in the South Pacific area: Papua campaigns, 1942–1943
Contents page
(A translation of )
Translated by Dr Steven Bullard
Please note that a new downloadable version of the complete translation, including maps and detailed footnotes, is avaialable as a pdf file from here.
Chapter 1: Offensive against Rabaul and key surrounding areas
Strategic issues concerning Rabaul
Basic preparedness for the offensive
Geographical description of Rabaul and the condition of the Allied forces
Operational preparations
The offensive
The conclusion of fighting
Consequences of the capture of Rabaul
Chapter 2: The advance to the Solomon Islands and eastern New Guinea
Operational plan by Imperial Headquarters
Offensive operations in Lae and Salamaua
Occupation of strategic areas in the northern Solomon Islands and Admiralty Islands by the 4th Fleet
The air war of attrition
Sea-route invasion of Port Moresby
Outline of the battle of the Coral Sea
Chapter 3: Planning and cancellation of the United States–Australia blockade operation
Imperial Headquarters’ conception of stage two operations
Preparations for the Fiji and Samoa Operation by Imperial Headquarters
Formation of the 17th Army
Cancellation of the FS Operation
Chapter 4: Commencement of the overland-route offensive on Port Moresby
Ri Operation Study
Transition from an advance by sea to the advance by land
Formation of the 8th Fleet and disposition of the units
Operations of the 25th Air Flotilla
Plans of Imperial Headquarters in early August
Chapter 5: Thrust through the Owen Stanley Range and the offensive operations at Rabi
Landing at Buna by the main strength of the South Seas Force
Thrust through the Owen Stanley Range
Offensive operations in Rabi
Allied preparations for counter-offensives in New Guinea
Retreat of the South Seas Force
Leadership by Imperial Headquarters
Chapter 6: Retreat to Buna
The fighting withdrawal of the South Seas Force
The Allied counter-offensive
Chapter 7: Commencement of command of the 18th Army
The struggle to hold Buna, and its consequences
Chapter 8: Withdrawal operations from the Buna area
Withdrawal from north and south Giruwa
Various issues raised by the withdrawal from Giruwa
End of the Buna force
Maps
Pacific region | 
Solomon Islands | 
Rabaul Area | 
Port Moresby | 
Milne Bay | 
Papua |
Campaign maps
South Seas Force Rabaul offensive
(23 January 1942) | 
Battle around Isurava
(26–31 August 1942) | 
Overview of the Rabi offensive
(24 August . 5 September 1942) | 
Battle south of Efogi
(7–8 September 1942) | 
Battle around Ioribaiwa
(13–16 September 1942 | 
South Seas Force deployments near Gap
(26 October 1942) |
Overview of South Seas Force deployments near Oivi
(3–8 November 1942) | 
South Seas Force positions
(early December 1942) | 
Overview of Buna Garrison battles
(30 November 1942 . 1 January 1943) | 
Buna Detachment positions
(early January 1943) | 
Key to map symbols |  |
Translated by: Dr Steven Bullard
Original text:
Reference for this web page: http://ajrp.awm.gov.au/ajrp/ajrp2.nsf/translation/?opendocument
This translation is published with the kind permission of the copyright holder, the National Institute for Defense Studies (2-2-1 Nakameguro Meguro-ku, Tokyo JAPAN) and with support from the Japan Foundation.
You may download, display, print or reproduce this material in unaltered form only for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Citations must refer both to the original text and to this web page. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, you must not copy, adapt, publish, distribute or commercialise any material contained on this site. Requests for use of material on this website should be directed to:
Communications and Marketing Manager
Australian War Memorial
GPO Box 345
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: marketing@awm.gov.au
This page was last modified on 16 March 2007
Printed on 11/06/2024 08:28:08 AM
