On This Day - 15 Aug 1945 - VP (Victory in the Pacific) Day Until the Japanese bombed the US fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, most Western leaders were not preoccupied with Japans aggressive activities. Once America turned her might on the Japanese, the Pacific region gained the full attention of the world. Australia had long been wary of Japanese expansion in the Pacific. When America joined the Allies, she provided leadership for the Pacific assault. Australian troops did not spearhead the attacks into the Philippines or Japan, but drove the Japanese from Papua and Malaya. Australia played an important role in the overall Pacific assault which was just as important in checking the advance of Japanese troops. Australian troops fought bravely in tremendously difficult conditions in Papua. Their endurance in tough situations exemplified the ANZAC spirit and helped save countless lives. Japanese advance through South-East Asia - Malaya and Singapore 1941-1942 Australia watched the Japanese advance down the Malayan peninsula (modern day Malaysia) with anxiety, fearful that the Australian mainland would be their next port of call. The British troops and commanders stationed in Malaya and Singapore seemed unconcerned about the Japanese until it was too late. On 8 December the Japanese struck with great speed. Two columns of Japanese soldiers marched down the east and west coasts of the Malayan peninsula. The British forces stationed in Malaya were not prepared for the onslaught and were brushed aside. The British dominion of Singapore was the last British stronghold between Australia and South-East Asia. She surrendered to Japanese control on 15 February, 1942. The Americans had entered the war in the hours following the Japanese attack of 7 December, 1941. After the Japanese seized Singapore, they moved troops into Burma, Ambon Island, Java, and Timor. Australian troops stationed on these islands were forced to retreat. Operation Cartwheel America entered the War in the hours after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. She brought an apparently endless supply of arms, munitions, soldiers and enthusiasm. See animation She also brought American leadership and a plan for a co-ordinated offensive against the Japanese. Australia was used as a base for American troops, vessels and aircraft. Americans General Douglas MacArthur and William F. Halsley oversaw the plans to drive the Japanese from the Pacific, particularly New Guinea. The campaign was called Operation Cartwheel, part of a larger campaign to drive the Japanese back from the Pacific. The mission of Operation Cartwheel was to bypass Japanese strongholds in New Guinea and land troops in less defended areas, neutralising strongholds and minimising casualties from confrontations. It was to be fulfilled through an elaborate co-ordination of air attacks, amphibious landings and group campaigns. Australians filled an important role in the offensive by fighting in New Guinea and Papua, coinciding with American activities in the Solomons and Guadalcanal. The primary concern for Australian troops and leaders was to prevent Japan from gaining control of the administrative capital of Papua, Port Moresby. Should the Japanese gain control of Port Moresby, they could use the city as a base for further attacks. In May 1942, the Americans and some Australians fought at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Although the battle was not decisive, it delayed the Japanese attack on Port Moresby. The Japanese decided to attack the city overland via the Kokoda Trail. It was on the Kokoda Trail that the Japanese met the Australian soldiers defending the pass. The Australian activities at Kokoda is discussed in the Kokoda chapter. The rest of the War Australias main military effort was concentrated in the South-West Pacific as part of the US-led campaign against the Japanese. American Admiral Chester Nimitz led the American and Australian navy in the Pacific area and successfully attacked the Japanese. On 2-3 March, 1943, Australian planes participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Eight Japanese troop transports and four destroyers were sunk. In December 1943, Australian military forces were reorganised. Australian troops were scattered around Bougainville, northern Solomons, New Britain, Aitape, Madang and Sepik River, and Borneo. Australians operated in a swing away from the main Allied advance, towards the west in the Dutch East Indies and particularly Borneo. In New Britain, Australians fought nearly 100 000 Japanese. In Bougainville, the Australians fought against 40 000 Japanese for seven months. The Japanese were suffering under the Allied onslaught - the 18th Army was reduced from 35 000 to 13 500 survivors. 9000 died from battle wounds and 14 000 from disease. In 1945, the majority of Australian activities were concentrated in Borneo. In May, Australian troops landed at Tarakan, Labuan, Brunei and Balikpapan. As they drove the Japanese back, the Australians discovered numerous prison camps The most horrifying was at Labuan. Australian troops found an Indian prison camp where internees were emaciated and diseased. The final activities of the Australian troops involved the liberation of prisoners and the rebuilding of local towns, bringing aid to the local populations and fighting sporadic Japanese resistance. In the Borneo campaigns, 368 Australian soldiers were killed and over 1000 were wounded. It has been said that Australians were pushed into the background while General MacArthur and the American troops assumed more glorious commands in the Philippines and the Solomons, that Australians were engaged in useless activities. Australia, however, had comparatively fewer troops available than the Americans. Australias operations in the final months were valuable for the establishment of peace in the area and security for the Australian mainland. Australians fought in a co-ordinated attack where all Allied activities had some significance. Australias contributions in the Dutch East Indies were important, if costly.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 21:53:05 +0000