BLUF
Milne Bay is located on the easternmost tip of mainland PNG. During WW2, it was of significant strategic value as Japan would first have to capture Milne Bay to gain air superiority over the sea approaches to Port Moresby.Summary
This Australian War Memorial London article makes the following points about the Battle for Milne Bay:
- American engineers built an airstrip at Milne Bay.
- RAAF 75 and 76 Squadron Kittyhawk fighters and 6 and 32 Squadron Hudson bombers were based at Milne Bay.
- USAAF bombers from Charters Towers provided air support.
- 7,500 Australians and 1,400 Americans overall were commanded by Australian Major General Cyril Clowes.
- An effective defence and RAAF air supremacy over Milne Bay helped Australia defeat the Japanese, preventing Japan from seizing Milne Bay and its all-important airfields.
References
- MILITARY HISTORY: INDEX of PAGES AND COLLECTIONS ON THE RAAF RUNWAY
- AUG 2022 80 years since victory at the Battle of Milne Bay- Australian Government Defence
- Milne Bay 1942-ANZAC Portal
