Location
Lat 3° 7' 60S Long 142° 20' 60E Aitape is a small coastal town
located on the north coast of New Guinea. To the west is Vanimo and Hollandia (Jayapura). To the east is Tadji and Wewak. Borders Aitape Harbor to the north. Prewar and during the Pacific War located 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, occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and developed into a base area between Hollandia to the west and Wewak to the east. Starting in the middle of January 1944, targeted by Allied bombers and fighters ahead of the landing at this location.
Occupied by the Japanese until late April 1944.
American missions against Aitape
January 19, 1944–August 10, 1944
Aitape was the objective of "Operation Persecution" the U. S. Army amphibious landing under the command of Brigadier
General Jens A. Doe to occupy the Aitape area to secure the flank for the landing at Hollandia further to the west. The objective of this operation was to capture Tadji
Airfield, and secure the eastern flank of the operations to prevent any counter attack from the Japanese forces
at Wewak. Also, to establish
light naval facilities at Aitape to support further operations.
On April 22, 1944 the U. S. Army 32nd Division landed without
opposition at Aitape in conjunction with the main landing
at Hollandia. During July 3-6, 1944 the 124th Regimental Combat Team (124th RCT) landed at Aitape. During July 9-10, 1944 the Japanese Army counter attacked at Driniumor
River to the east.
During late October 1944, the Australian Army 6th Division, commanded by Maj-General J E S Stevens began relieved the
Americans and continued to defend Tadji Airfield, Aitape Harbor and patrolling the area. The
advance units arrived late in October 1944 including the 2/6th
Cavalry Commando Regiment comprising the 2/7th, 2/9th and 2/10th Commando Squadron guarded Babiang and occupied 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
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Last Updated
February 6, 2021
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