16 SEP 1943: World War II and the Japanese abandon Lae after heavy fighting. Lae was the focus of a major land, sea, and air operation by Australian and American forces. Fighting lasted until 16 September when the encircled Japanese garrison were either killed, captured, or escaped. While ferocious pockets of Japanese resistance were encountered these were mostly rearguard actions by remnants of the 51st Division – Major General ADACHI Hatazô had already ordered the bulk of the Lae garrison to withdraw across the Finisterre Ranges.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:55:00 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015