Battle of Cape Gloucester
Encyclopedia : B : BA : BAT : Battle of Cape Gloucester
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| 1st Rabaul – Coral Sea – Kokoda Track – Milne Bay – Buna-Gona – Bismarck Sea – Cartwheel – Lae – 2nd Rabaul – Cape Gloucester |
The Battle of Cape Gloucester was a battle in the Pacific theater of World War II, which took place between late December 1943 and April 22, 1944, on the island of New Britain, part of the Territory of New Guinea. The battle was a major part of Operation Cartwheel, the main Allied strategy in the South West Pacific Area and Pacific Ocean Areas duing 1943-44. The Allies' main objective was the capture and expansion of the Japanese airfield at Cape Gloucester; this was to contribute to the isolation and harrassment of the major Japanese base at Rabaul.
Supporting operations began on December 15, when the U.S. Army's 112th Cavalry Regiment was landed at Arawe (Cape Merkus) to block the route of Japanese reinforcements and supplies.
The main operation began on 26 December with an artillery barrage of Japanese positions at Cape Gloucester by U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy vessels, followed by ground attacks by planes from the U.S. Army Air Forces and Royal Australian Air Force. These were followed by the landing of the U.S. 1st Marine Division, under Major General William H. Rupertus.
The Marines were opposed by the Japanese 17th Division, commanded by Major General Iwao Matsuda, which was augmented by "Matsuda Force" — the 65th Infantry Brigade and elements of the 51st Division, the main body of which continued to resist Allied offensives in mainland New Guinea. Matsuda's headquarters was at Kalingi, along the coastal trail northwest of Mount Talawe, within five miles (eight kilometres) of the Cape Gloucester airfield.
References/external links
[Bernard C. Nalty, "Cape Gloucester: The Green Inferno",]
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