Battle of Sattelberg

Battle of Sattelberg
Part of the Pacific theatre of the Second World War
A soldier wearing a turned-up slouch hat raises the Australian flag
Sergeant Tom Derrick raising the Australian flag over Sattelberg mission
Date17–25 November 1943[1]
Location06°29′11″S 147°46′00″E / 6.48639°S 147.76667°E / -6.48639; 147.76667
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 Australia
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
Australia George Wootten
Australia David Whitehead
Empire of Japan Shigeru Katagiri
Empire of Japan Sadahiko Miyake
Units involved

Australia 9th Division

Empire of Japan 20th Division

Strength
~3,500 ~2,800
Casualties and losses
49 killed
118 wounded
Heavy

The Battle of Sattelberg took place between 17 and 25 November 1943, during the Huon Peninsula campaign of the Second World War. Involving forces from Australia, the United States and Japan, the fighting centred on the Sattelberg mission station which was situated atop a hill about 900 metres (3,000 ft) above sea level, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) inland from Finschhafen, New Guinea. Following the Australian landing at Scarlet Beach a large force of Japanese had retreated inland towards Sattelberg. The Japanese, holding the high ground, subsequently threatened the Australian lines of communication as they advanced south towards Finschhafen. The Australian 26th Brigade was tasked with capturing the mission to neutralise this threat. Over the course of 10 days they advanced west from Jivevaneng up the southern approaches to the mission, reducing the Japanese position with armour, artillery, and air support. The Japanese finally abandoned Sattelberg and withdrew north to Wareo, having suffered heavy casualties and running low on supplies.

  1. ^ Maitland 1999, p. 143