WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/Pacific • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
A grueling jungle campaign — from the Kokoda Track and Milne Bay to MacArthur's island-hopping advance — that broke Japan's threat to Australia. (January 1942 – August 1945)
Chronological Storyline (25 Milestones)
Jan 23, 1942 CE
Japanese invade Rabaul
Japanese South Seas Force troops landed at Rabaul on New Britain, quickly overwhelming the small Australian garrison and establishing a major air and naval base threatening New Guinea. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rabaul_(1942)
Battle for New Guinea | 1942-1945 | Australian & American Soldiers in Action | WW2 Documentary FilmAustralian troops retreating from the Battle of Rabaul after the successful attack by Japanese forces, Warangoi River, New Britain, January 1942. This is the point where at least two parties of retreating Australian troops crossed the Adler River. It was taken in late January 1942 and shows some of the men of Sergeant L. I. H. (Les) Robbins’ party fording the river as they make their way south of the island. #colored #colorized #colourised #colorization #colourisation #color #colour #history #ww1 #wwi #worldwarone #greatwar #thegreatwar #ww2 #wwii #worldwartwo By Cassowary Colorizations - Australian troops retreating from the Battle of Rabaul after the successful attack by Japanese forces, Warangoi River, New Britain, January 1942., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97710495
Mar 8, 1942 CE
Japanese land at Lae and Salamaua
Japanese forces occupied Lae and Salamaua on the New Guinea mainland, establishing forward bases for further advances toward Port Moresby. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Lae-Salamaua
U.S. Navy Douglas TBD-1 Devastator aircraft from torpedo squadron VT-5, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5), prepare to attack Japanese shipping with bombs in the Huon Gulf supporting the Japanese invasion of Lae-Salamaua, New Guinea, on 10 March 1942. Two Japanese ships, possibly the auxiliary vessel Noshiro Maru and minesweeper Hagoromo Maru, can be seen making a smoke screen below in anticipation of the air attack. The first plane on the left was piloted by Joe Taylor, the second by Leonard E. Ewoldt, and the third by Francis R. Sanborn. By Photographer's Mate 2nd Class F. J. Meers, USN. - Scanned from book: Cressman, Robert (2004), That Gallant Ship USS Yorktown (CV-5), Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, p. 75., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6081755
Jul 21, 1942 CE
Japanese land at Buna and Gona
Japanese troops under Major General Tomitaro Horii landed at Buna and Gona on the north coast of Papua, beginning the overland advance toward Port Moresby across the Owen Stanley Range. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign
Sourced from: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. AWM Caption: MEMBERS OF THE 39TH BATTALION, AMF, PARADE AFTER WEEKS OF FIGHTING IN DENSE JUNGLE DURING THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN. THE OFFICER IN FRONT IS LIEUTENANT JOHNSON. THE MEN STANDING BEHIND HIM, FROM THE LEFT, ARE: ARNIE WALLACE, BILL SANDERS, HARRY HODGE, KEVIN SURTEES, GEORGE CUDMORE, GEORGE PUXLEY, KEVIN WHELAN, LEN MURRELL, DICK SECKER, NEIL GRAHAM, CLIVE GALE AND JACK BOLAND. THEIR BEDRAGGLED DRESS REFLECTS THE HARD FIGHTING OF PAST WEEKS. Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. By Parer, Damien Peter - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10477670
Jul 23, 1942 CE
First clash on the Kokoda Track
Australian Papuan Infantry Battalion and elements of the 39th Battalion engaged Japanese forces at Awala, the first contact of the Kokoda Track campaign, before withdrawing southward. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign
Sourced from: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. AWM Caption: MEMBERS OF THE 39TH BATTALION, AMF, PARADE AFTER WEEKS OF FIGHTING IN DENSE JUNGLE DURING THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN. THE OFFICER IN FRONT IS LIEUTENANT JOHNSON. THE MEN STANDING BEHIND HIM, FROM THE LEFT, ARE: ARNIE WALLACE, BILL SANDERS, HARRY HODGE, KEVIN SURTEES, GEORGE CUDMORE, GEORGE PUXLEY, KEVIN WHELAN, LEN MURRELL, DICK SECKER, NEIL GRAHAM, CLIVE GALE AND JACK BOLAND. THEIR BEDRAGGLED DRESS REFLECTS THE HARD FIGHTING OF PAST WEEKS. Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. By Parer, Damien Peter - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10477670
Aug 25, 1942 CE
Battle of Milne Bay commences
Japanese naval landing troops attacked the Australian-held airfields at Milne Bay; in the first major Japanese land defeat of the war, Australian troops repelled the invasion by early September. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Milne_Bay
AWM Caption: Australian troops plough through the mud at Milne Bay, New Guinea, shortly after the unsuccessful Japanese invasion attempt. By Bagnall, Frank N - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=487129
Aug 26, 1942 CE
Battle of Isurava begins
Japanese forces attacked Australian positions at Isurava in the Owen Stanley Range; after fierce fighting, the Australians withdrew, beginning a fighting retreat toward Port Moresby. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Isurava
AWM Caption: Some members of D Company, 39th Battalion, returning to their base camp after a battle at Isurava. Right to left: Warrant Officer 2 R. Marsh, Privates G. Palmer, J. Manol, J. Tonkins, A. Forrester and Gallipoli veteran Staff Sergeant J. Long. Their shoes sink deep in the mud on the hilly jungle track. By Damien Parer - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19405590
Sep 5, 1942 CE
Japanese defeated at Milne Bay
Australian forces, supported by RAAF Kittyhawks, decisively defeated the Japanese landing force at Milne Bay, forcing survivors to withdraw by sea and securing the eastern tip of New Guinea. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Milne_Bay
AWM Caption: Australian troops plough through the mud at Milne Bay, New Guinea, shortly after the unsuccessful Japanese invasion attempt. By Bagnall, Frank N - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=487129
Sep 17, 1942 CE
Japanese retreat from Ioribaiwa
Having reached Ioribaiwa Ridge within sight of Port Moresby, Japanese forces were ordered to withdraw due to supply failures and the Guadalcanal situation, marking the turning point of the Kokoda campaign. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign
Sourced from: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. AWM Caption: MEMBERS OF THE 39TH BATTALION, AMF, PARADE AFTER WEEKS OF FIGHTING IN DENSE JUNGLE DURING THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN. THE OFFICER IN FRONT IS LIEUTENANT JOHNSON. THE MEN STANDING BEHIND HIM, FROM THE LEFT, ARE: ARNIE WALLACE, BILL SANDERS, HARRY HODGE, KEVIN SURTEES, GEORGE CUDMORE, GEORGE PUXLEY, KEVIN WHELAN, LEN MURRELL, DICK SECKER, NEIL GRAHAM, CLIVE GALE AND JACK BOLAND. THEIR BEDRAGGLED DRESS REFLECTS THE HARD FIGHTING OF PAST WEEKS. Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. By Parer, Damien Peter - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10477670
Sep 28, 1942 CE
Australians recapture Ioribaiwa
Australian forces advancing northward reoccupied Ioribaiwa Ridge, finding Japanese positions abandoned as the enemy retreated toward the north coast. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign
Sourced from: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. AWM Caption: MEMBERS OF THE 39TH BATTALION, AMF, PARADE AFTER WEEKS OF FIGHTING IN DENSE JUNGLE DURING THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN. THE OFFICER IN FRONT IS LIEUTENANT JOHNSON. THE MEN STANDING BEHIND HIM, FROM THE LEFT, ARE: ARNIE WALLACE, BILL SANDERS, HARRY HODGE, KEVIN SURTEES, GEORGE CUDMORE, GEORGE PUXLEY, KEVIN WHELAN, LEN MURRELL, DICK SECKER, NEIL GRAHAM, CLIVE GALE AND JACK BOLAND. THEIR BEDRAGGLED DRESS REFLECTS THE HARD FIGHTING OF PAST WEEKS. Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. By Parer, Damien Peter - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10477670
Nov 2, 1942 CE
Australians retake Kokoda
The Australian 25th Brigade reoccupied the Kokoda government station, restoring Allied control of the airstrip and enabling air resupply across the Owen Stanleys. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign
Sourced from: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. AWM Caption: MEMBERS OF THE 39TH BATTALION, AMF, PARADE AFTER WEEKS OF FIGHTING IN DENSE JUNGLE DURING THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN. THE OFFICER IN FRONT IS LIEUTENANT JOHNSON. THE MEN STANDING BEHIND HIM, FROM THE LEFT, ARE: ARNIE WALLACE, BILL SANDERS, HARRY HODGE, KEVIN SURTEES, GEORGE CUDMORE, GEORGE PUXLEY, KEVIN WHELAN, LEN MURRELL, DICK SECKER, NEIL GRAHAM, CLIVE GALE AND JACK BOLAND. THEIR BEDRAGGLED DRESS REFLECTS THE HARD FIGHTING OF PAST WEEKS. Copyright: The AWM record for this photo states that the copyright status is 'clear'. The photo was taken in 1942. By Parer, Damien Peter - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10477670
Nov 16, 1942 CE
Battle of Buna–Gona begins
Australian and US forces launched attacks on the Japanese beachheads at Buna, Gona, and Sanananda, facing heavily fortified positions in difficult terrain. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Buna%E2%80%93Gona
George Silk's classic picture taken at Buna, New Guinea, on Christmas Day, 1942. An Australian soldier, Private George "Dick" Whittington is aided by a Papuan orderly, Raphael Oimbari. Whittington died in February 1943 from typhus. Silk was a combat photographer for the Australian government when the photo was taken. By George Silk - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22612771
Dec 9, 1942 CE
Gona captured by Australians
The Australian 7th Division captured Gona village after weeks of fierce fighting, eliminating one of the three Japanese beachhead strongholds. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Buna%E2%80%93Gona
George Silk's classic picture taken at Buna, New Guinea, on Christmas Day, 1942. An Australian soldier, Private George "Dick" Whittington is aided by a Papuan orderly, Raphael Oimbari. Whittington died in February 1943 from typhus. Silk was a combat photographer for the Australian government when the photo was taken. By George Silk - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22612771
Jan 2, 1943 CE
Buna village falls to Allies
US and Australian forces captured Buna village and its airstrip after heavy casualties, breaking the main Japanese defensive position on the north coast. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Buna%E2%80%93Gona
George Silk's classic picture taken at Buna, New Guinea, on Christmas Day, 1942. An Australian soldier, Private George "Dick" Whittington is aided by a Papuan orderly, Raphael Oimbari. Whittington died in February 1943 from typhus. Silk was a combat photographer for the Australian government when the photo was taken. By George Silk - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22612771
Jan 22, 1943 CE
Sanananda stronghold captured
Allied forces captured the last Japanese beachhead at Sanananda, concluding the Papua campaign and eliminating Japanese resistance on the north Papuan coast. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Buna%E2%80%93Gona
George Silk's classic picture taken at Buna, New Guinea, on Christmas Day, 1942. An Australian soldier, Private George "Dick" Whittington is aided by a Papuan orderly, Raphael Oimbari. Whittington died in February 1943 from typhus. Silk was a combat photographer for the Australian government when the photo was taken. By George Silk - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22612771
Mar 2, 1943 CE
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
US and Australian aircraft destroyed a Japanese troop convoy transporting reinforcements to Lae, killing approximately 3,000 Japanese soldiers and ending Japanese attempts to reinforce New Guinea by sea. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bismarck_Sea
A Japanese transport under attack during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, 3 March 1943. By Australian armed forces - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1433226
Sep 4, 1943 CE
Allied landing at Lae
Australian 9th Division conducted an amphibious landing east of Lae, while the 7th Division advanced by air, beginning a pincer movement to capture the Japanese-held town. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_at_Lae
Australian troops disembarking from American Landing Ships, Tank (LST), including LST-456, East of LAE in preparation for the assault on that town. 20 MM Oerlikon AA Guns are mounted in the bows of thE LSTS. Note the method of stowing fuel drums on the deck of LST-456, ready for rapid jettisoning in case of fire. By Unknown author - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46808745
Sep 16, 1943 CE
Lae captured by Allies
Australian forces captured Lae after Japanese defenders withdrew northward, securing the vital airfield and port facilities for Allied operations. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_at_Lae
Australian troops disembarking from American Landing Ships, Tank (LST), including LST-456, East of LAE in preparation for the assault on that town. 20 MM Oerlikon AA Guns are mounted in the bows of thE LSTS. Note the method of stowing fuel drums on the deck of LST-456, ready for rapid jettisoning in case of fire. By Unknown author - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46808745
Jan 2, 1944 CE
US landing at Saidor
US forces landed at Saidor on the north coast, bypassing Japanese positions at Sio and securing an airfield to support further advances along the coast. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_at_Saidor
Troops of the 32d Division near Saidor. By US Army Signal Corps - Bismarck Archipelago, part of the U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II series, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58534284
Apr 22, 1944 CE
Operation Reckless at Hollandia
US forces under General MacArthur conducted amphibious landings at Hollandia and Aitape, bypassing Japanese strongholds and seizing major airfields and supply depots. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hollandia
A U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless covering the landings at Tanahmerah Bay, Hollandia, Papua New Guinea. Landing craft are heading toward Red Beach 2. Despite unfavorable weather, the U.S. Navy Task Force 58 managed to maintain planes on air alert over the Hollandia area. By U.S. Navy - U.S. Navy photo [1] in: Robert Ross Smith: United States Army in World War II - The War in the Pacific: The Approach to the Philippines, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D.C. (USA), 1996. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 53-60474 (first printed 1953-CMH Pub 5-8). Chapter III: The Hollandia Operations, p. 54., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12714283
May 27, 1944 CE
US landing at Biak
US forces landed on Biak Island to capture its airfields, encountering unexpectedly fierce Japanese resistance in caves that delayed the operation for weeks. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Biak
DUKW unloading at Biak - free image of Hyperwar, a database of the US-military. By US military photographers - http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Approach/USA-P-Approach-12.html (1st file) - http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Approach/USA-P-Approach-13.html (2nd file), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22246374
Jul 2, 1944 CE
Australian advance to Madang
Australian forces advancing from the Finisterre Range linked up with US forces at Madang, securing the Huon Peninsula and completing the capture of the north coast region. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finisterre_Range_campaign
Shaggy Ridge, New Guinea. 1944-01-23. Troops of "C" company, 2/9th infantry battalion digging into a newly occupied feature on Shaggy Ridge. By Unknown author - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1528859
Sep 15, 1944 CE
US landing at Morotai
US forces landed on Morotai Island north of Halmahera, establishing airfields to support the upcoming liberation of the Philippines and bypassing large Japanese forces on nearby islands. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Morotai
LST's at BLUE Beach, Morotai in September 1944 By United States Army - [1] (Smith, Robert Ross (1953) The Approach to the Philippines, United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific, Washington, D.C.: United States Army Center of Military History, pp. 486 ), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3460390
May 1, 1945 CE
Australian landing at Tarakan
Australian forces landed at Tarakan on Borneo as part of Operation Oboe, beginning the final phase of Australian operations to liberate Japanese-held territory in the region. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tarakan
Jul 1, 1945 CE
Australian landing at Balikpapan
Australian forces conducted the largest Australian amphibious operation of the war at Balikpapan, Borneo, securing oil facilities and effectively concluding major Allied ground operations in the Southwest Pacific theatre. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Balikpapan_(1945)
Last dash to shore, aboard American manned Alligators, during the landing of Australian troops at Balikpapan, Borneo. Smoke from the ruins of enemy positions and burning oil wells is visible in the background. Shore installations were subjected to an intensive naval bombardment before the landing operation. By not stated - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28825786
Aug 15, 1945 CE
Japan surrenders, ending New Guinea Campaign
Following the atomic bombings and the Soviet declaration of war, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender, ending all hostilities in the New Guinea theatre and the wider Pacific War. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_of_World_War_II
