Allied forces landed at Finschhafen on the eastern side of the Huon Peninsula on 22 September 1943 and began preparations for an inland assault.
At that time, the Sugino Company from the 79th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Division was fighting day and night to turn the tide of the campaign back in Japan’s favour. The company, acting in concert with the main force of the division, effected a seabourne counter-attack on 16 October at Arndt Point to the rear of the Allied position.
Successful attacks made by the company on Allied artillery positions and Brigade Headquarters not only boosted the morale of units in the main divisional force, but turned the advantage back to the Japanese side.
This was the Japanese Army’s first experience of the counter-landing, a tactic that departed from standard military practice. It was a daring manoeuvre which epitomised the "nothing ventured, nothing gained" attitude of the Japanese Army. If successful, the attack on the rear lines of the enemy after they had landed would be a significant military victory.
On the other hand, if not made in concert with an attack by the main force on land, the unit would be isolated, and disappear into the waves like foam.
Further, the unit penetrated the anchorage lines of numerous Allied ships, even though there was nowhere to hide on the surface of the ocean. Even locating the appointed landing position would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Commander Sugino, secretly striving to carry out his operational plan to the best of his ability, embarked in the dead of night and infiltrated enemy naval lines. He effectively maintained a line of command and acted in concert with the main divisional force to turn great difficulty into a great success.
The value of an attack that achieves the impossible teaches a renewed recognition over and above the brave fighting spirit of the Sugino Company.
(Source: Kumamoto Nichinichi Shinbunsha (ed.), Kumamoto heidan senshi (Unit history of the troops from Kumamoto) , Kumamoto: Kumamoto Nichinichi Shinbunsha, 1965.)
Translated by Steve Bullard
(Australia-Japan Research Project, Australian War Memorial)
Huon Peninsula:
Overview text Longer text Images KITAMOTO Misamichi Map SATÔ Hiromasa Seabourne counter-attack
