Battle of Cape Gloucester

Overview

The Battle of Cape Gloucester was fought in the Pacific theater of World War II between Japanese and Allied forces on the island of New Britain, Territory of New Guinea, between 26 December 1943 and 16 January 1944. Codenamed Operation Backhander, the US landing formed part of the wider Operation Cartwheel, the main Allied strategy in the South West Pacific Area and Pacific Ocean Areas during 1943–1944. It was the second landing the US 1st Marine Division had conducted during the war thus far, after Guadalcanal. The objective of the operation was to capture the two Japanese airfields near Cape Gloucester that were defended by elements of the Japanese 17th Division.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Cape Gloucester, codenamed Operation Backhander, was part of Operation Cartwheel, the main Allied strategic effort in the South West Pacific Area during 1943–1944. By targeting the two Japanese airfields near Cape Gloucester on New Britain, Allied planners aimed to extend air coverage and constrain Japanese freedom of movement in the region. The operation committed approximately 16,000 U.S. troops against a Japanese defending force of around 6,000, resulting in roughly 1,083 U.S. and 2,000 Japanese casualties. For the U.S. 1st Marine Division, it was their second amphibious landing of the war, following Guadalcanal, reinforcing their role as a primary assault force in the Pacific campaign.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (5)