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World War II Database

14 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • A raid by bombers of the 5th USAAF dropped 433 tons of bombs on Arawe island, New Britain was followed by a landing of VII Amphibious Force (TF 76) under Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey. The force had set out from the Goodenough Islands the previous day with the Australian transport Westralia, the dock landing ship Carter Hall and the fast transports Sands and Humphreys. 1,600 men of the US 112th Cavalry Regimental Combat Team under Brigadier General Julian Cunningham. Operation Director was supported by the US destroyers Smith, Reid, Lamson, Mahan and Flusser with the escort destroyers Conyngham, Shaw, Mugford, Bagley and Drayton. The Australian cruisers Australia and Shorshire with destroyers Arunta and Warramunga provide the Covering Force (TF 74). This battle involved the first use of an Australian infantry landing ship, HMAS Westralia, in combat and the first time a dock landing ship (USS Carter Hall) was used to carry amtracs to cross the coral reefs. The fire support was provided with tank landing craft with rockets, this proved so successful that Barbey had more of the made. This battle also saw Barbey use his landing control officers; they provided a fully trained beach party for the first time. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Arawe, New Britain | HM]
15 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 15 Dec 1943
Troops of the US Army 112th Cavalry Regiment (Texas National Guard) landing at Arawe, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, 15 Dec 1943; note LVTs and M1 Garand riflesTanks of Company B, US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion at Arawe, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, Dec 1943

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




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Pennsylvania drydocked in an Advanced Base Sectional Dock, circa 1944

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