The last Japanese offensive in New Guinea was against the Australian forward base at Wau. It had been used by guerrillas of Kanga Force to harass Japanese forces based at Lae and Salamaua, but by early 1943 was seen as a key to large-scale operations in south-eastern New Guinea.
The attack was undertaken by the Okabe Detachment, led by Major General OKABE Teru. Having pushed the Australians beyond Mubo, the Japanese used a little-known track to go around the Australian defences and launch a surprise attack.
The defence of Wau rested on the airlifting of reinforcements from Port Moresby. Weather over the Wau–Bulolo Valley was notoriously unstable. Cloud closed in at the start of the battle on 28 January, and the Australians feared losing the base. By the time it cleared the following morning, the Japanese were within two miles of the vital airfield. However, that day 1,000 reinforcements were delivered and the Australians held the airfield. Artillery was also delivered and, along with fighter-bombers from Port Moresby, began pounding the Japanese.
The Okabe Detachment suffered over 1,000 battle casualties. Survivors fell into retreat. The Australians had thus secured the base from which to launch the counter-offensive against Lae and Salamaua.
Wau :
Overview text Longer text Images Readings Australian readings AustraliansClick images to enlarge.
AWM 014372
AWM 128154
