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 90th BG 1943  IJN October 24, 1943   US Army April 22, 1944  US Army April 1944  AWM April 11, 1945 |
Location Lat 3° 7' 60S Long 142° 20' 60E Aitape is located at sea level on the north coast of New Guinea. Borders Aitape Harbor to the north. To the west is Vanimo and beyond Hollandia (Jayapura). To the east is Tadji and beyond Wewak. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of Sepik District in the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in the Aitape-Lumi District of West Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prewar Aitape was a small town with an assistant district office, sub district office, native jail, administration store, Patrol Officer (Kiap) office and native hospital. A coastal road spanned from east to west. Wartime History During early 1943 near Aitape, occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and developed into a base area between Hollandia to the west and Wewak to the east. The Imperial Japanese Navy also had a force at Aitape. During late 1943 under the command of Vice Admiral Michiaki Kamada. In early October 1943, three members of "Operation Whiting" were ambushed by a group of a hundred locals then turned over to the Japanese and became Prisoners Of War (POW). Over two weeks the prisoners were questioned and tortured. Afterwards, Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Admiral Kamada ordered them to be executed. On October 24, 1943 all three were blindfolded and bound then executed by sword on the beach at Aitape, Sgt Lenonard G. Siffleet, Private H. Pattiwal and Private M. Reharing. Siffleet was executed by Japanese Navy Lt. Yasuno Chikao from Minseibu Moments before the execution, a photograph was taken of Siffleet with Lt. Chikao holding his sword with both hands over his head before he was decapitated. During late April 1944, a copy of this photograph was captured by U.S. Army soldiers and later published in newspapers as evidence of Japanese atrocities. Starting in the middle of January 1944, targeted by Allied bombers and fighters. Occupied by the Japanese until late April 1944 when the U.S. Army landed at this location. American missions against Aitape January 19, 1944–August 10, 1944 Aitape was the objective of the U.S. Army amphibious landing "Operation Persecution" under the command of Brigadier General Jens A. Doe to occupy the Aitape area to secure the eastern flank of the landing at Hollandia further to the west. One objective was to capture Tadji Airfield, and prevent any Japanese counter attack from Wewak further to the east. Another objective was to establish light naval facilities at Aitape to support further operations. On April 22, 1944 the U.S. Army 32nd Division (32nd ID) landed without opposition at Aitape in conjunction with the main landing at Hollandia. During July 3, 1944 to July 6, 1944 the 124th Regimental Combat Team (124th RCT) arrived at Aitape. During July 9, 1944–July 10, 1944 the Japanese Army counter attack at the Driniumor River was defeated during the Battle of the Driniumor River. During late October 1944, the Australian Army 6th Division commanded by Major General J. E. S. Stevens began relieved the Americans and were tasked with defending Tadji Airfield, Aitape Harbor and patrolling the area. Australian advance units began arriving including the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment comprised of the 2/7th Commando Squadron, 2/9th Commando Squadron and 2/10th Commando Squadron to guard Babiang and outpost positions at Aiterap, Kanti and Palauru. P-38J Lightning Serial Number 42-103987 Pilot Lynch crashed March 8, 1944 one mile SSW of Aitape P-40N Warhawk Serial Number 42-105738 Pilot Cash crashed March 22, 1944 Aitape High School Since the 1974 recoveries at Tadji, one wreck this B-25 was selected for display at the school as a WWII Memorial for the town, and represents one of the last complete American wrecks in the Aitape area. It is a well known 'landmark' of the school and town. Over the decades, outsiders have asked the school to purchase the wreck and remove it, to which they have declined. B-25C "Feather Merchant" 41-12442 Recovered from Tadji in 1974 for a memorial at Aitape High School References Australian Army Campaign Aitape-Wewak Contribute
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