Derrick's Show PTO (id:#66515)

(ASL Journal #14 ID: J238)   [next]   [previous]

Sattelberg, New Guinea 1943-11-24 (0 others)

Overview:

On 22 September, Australian forces landed at beaches around Finschhafen, located on the north coast of central Papua New Guinea. Spreading out from the bridgehead, the Australian 9th Division occupied numerous strategic outposts in the hilly hinterland. The Japanese 20th Division tried to dislodge the Australians, but by late October they were largely on the defensive. Moving onto the offensive, akey objective of the Australians was the capture of Sattelberg, six kilometers from the coast. Two battalions would approach the village from the south along a main track that crossed Coconut Ridge. Fortunately, this track was sufficiently hard to take the weight of Australian tanks. These tanks proved crucial in reducing several key Japanese defensive points in the hilly terrain. However, in the final ridges that guarded Sattelberg, the tanks could no longer operate. Subsequent pushes combined infantry, artillery, and air support but the Japanese continued to prove resilient. A final effort by Sergeant Tom "Diver: Derrick, now in charge of his platoon, changed the momentum.

Defender: Japanese (80th Infantry Regiment)  

Errata (source)