Between Finschhafen and Sattelberg Part 2

The Japanese Counter Offensive

A Japanese grave and the remains of barges used to land Japanese troops during the unsuccessful landing at the beginning of the Japanese counter offensive.

Having been forced out of Finschhafen and Jivevaneng, the Japanese forces on the Huon Peninsula launched a counter-attack, aimed at recapturing the Australian-held Scarlett Beach. This is where stores and reinforcements were being landed by the Australian and American forces. Lose Scarlett Beach and the entire area would become precarious. Fortunately, a plan of the coming offensive had been discovered on a dead Japanese officer and so General Wootten knew roughly where and when things were going to happen. But knowing this, and being able to do something about it, were two completely different things. His already stretched 9 Division would be severely tested.

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The area of operations . Easy Street, through Kiasawa and Kumawa, is in the south with Jivevaneng and The Knoll in the centre. Scarlet Beach is in the north and the Song River is further north (off the map).

Scarlet Beach viewed from a Japanese defensive position.

A Bofors gun covers the landings of the 20th Brigade on Scarlet Beach.

Two diggers manning a Bren gun post along Easy Street.

General Wootten and Brigadier Evans.

Left to right - Colonel Garrett from Divisional Headquarters, General Wootten, Brigadier Evans, General Morshead.