Battle of Mount Tambu

Battle of Mount Tambu
Part of World War II, Pacific War
Australian soldiers man a defensive position in the jungle
2/5th Infantry Battalion soldiers around Mount Tambu, July 1943
Date16 July 1943  – 18 August 1943
Location07°09′00″S 147°02′00″E / 7.15000°S 147.03333°E / -7.15000; 147.03333
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 Australia
 United States
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
Australia Murray Moten Empire of Japan Fukuzo Kimura
Empire of Japan Sakai Sugiyama
Units involved
  • II/66th Infantry Regiment
  • III/66th Infantry Regiment
  • Strength
    One brigade + Two understrength battalions

    The Battle of Mount Tambu was a series of actions fought in the Salamaua area of the Territory of New Guinea between Allied and Japanese forces, which took place between 16 July and 18 August 1943, during World War II. The battle formed part of the wider Salamaua–Lae campaign and was fought in the final stages of the campaign, which had seen a combined Australian and US force advance from Wau towards Salamaua following the repulse of the Japanese attack on Wau in late January and early February 1943. After several frontal assaults on the position by Australian and US infantrymen were rebuffed by determined Japanese defenders, an indirect approach was sought and flanking moves were undertaken to cut off the Japanese supply route along the Komiatum Track. This succeeded in eventually forcing the Japanese off the position as they withdrew to avoid encirclement.