Japanese air raids against Milne Bay began in early August. Over 1,000 Japanese troops effected a successful landing at Rabi during the night of 25 August. However, the difficulty of the terrain prevented Japanese units and subsequent reinforcements reaching the airfields to the west. Allied troops gradually forced the Japanese forces along the coast to the east.

The decision was taken for a comprehensive withdrawal of Japanese forces on 5 September. Although two thirds of the entire force of approximately 2,000 troops were successfully evacuated, the remainder were either killed in battle or perished attempting to return overland to Buna. Allied losses were slight in comparison. The Japanese assault had completely failed in the face of a superior, strongly defended Allied force.

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