Stage two of the isolation and reduction of the Japanese fortress of Rabaul was the seizure of key bases at the opposite (Western) end of the 370-mile long island of New Britain, cutting enemy supply lines and providing advance airfields for continuing attacks on the stronghold. You'll see all aspects of the invasion, including planning, training, air attacks, amphibious assaults, and the intense jungle fighting to secure objectives. And there's more of those exciting low level B-25 strikes!
An initial diversionary attack was carried out on the Arawe Peninsula on they south side of the island by Task Force "Director," a sub division sized mix of US Army units, led by the 112th Cavalry and landed by US Marine amphibious tractor forces. The main attack on Cape Glouster followed on December 25th, led by the 1st Marine Division, supported by US and Australian Naval and Air Forces. After a week of intense jungle fighting, including numerous Japanese air and ground force counterattacks, the Marines with tank support, secured it's main objective, the Cape Gloucester Airdrome. You'll see jungle fighting in truly unbelievable terrain.. Afterwords, the Marines continued to push eastwards on New Britain through April, when they were relieved by the Army's 40th Division, which in turn was relieved by the 5th Australian Division. By the end of the War, enemy forces were bottled up on the Eastern end of New Britain and once mighty Rabaul was cut off and reduced to a virtual prison for the starving Japanese.
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