Key Facts
- Date
- 19–20 September 1943
- Australian unit
- 2/6th Independent Company
- Aircraft used
- 13 USAAF C-47 Dakotas
- Campaign
- Markham and Ramu Valley – Finisterre Range
- Duration
- 2 days of fighting
Strategic Narrative Overview
The Australian 2/6th Independent Company flew from Port Moresby in 13 USAAF C-47 Dakotas and landed on a rough airstrip in the Markham Valley. Unaware that a larger Japanese force was also converging on Kaiapit, the Australians attacked the village on 19 September to secure it for development as an airfield. Over two days they repelled a strong Japanese counter-attack, defeating the numerically superior force while sustaining relatively light casualties.
01 / The Origins
Following Allied amphibious landings at Lae and an airborne operation at Nadzab in September 1943, the Allies sought to push into the upper Markham Valley in New Guinea. Kaiapit was a key objective: the Japanese intended to use it as a base to threaten Nadzab and to divert Allied attention, buying time for the Japanese garrison at Lae to escape encirclement during the broader Markham and Ramu Valley campaign of World War II.
03 / The Outcome
The Australian victory cleared Kaiapit and denied the Japanese any ability to threaten Lae or Nadzab. It enabled the Australian 7th Division to be airlifted into the upper Markham Valley, fulfilling the division's primary operational mission. The outcome also facilitated Allied seizure of the entire Ramu Valley, which provided new forward fighter airstrips that strengthened the Allied air campaign against Japanese positions in New Guinea.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.