Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Dec 17 – 23, 1942

Dec 17, 1942: US Army’s 132nd Regiment is ordered to take Mount Austen, Guadalcanal

Dec 18, 1942: In New Guinea, Australian forces commence concerted attack on Japanese stronghold at Sanananda

Dec 19, 1942: US troops take over operation of Oro Bay port, a main logistical hub on New Guinea front

Dec 20, 1942: Soldiers of the US Army’s 132nd Regiment are harassed by Japanese rifle fire as they move up the slopes of Mount Austen, Guadalcanal

Dec 21, 1942: As US and Australian troops push north on New Guinea, the unusual sight of Japanese surrendering rather than fighting to the death becomes more common

Dec 22, 1942: Calcutta, pictured above, is targeted in Japanese air raid

Dec 23, 1942: At Buna, US forces fire directly at Japanese position in preparation of attack, as Allied forces in New Guinea increase by the day

Categories: War

Leave a Reply