The Battle of Milne Bay

DATE: 19/10/2025

TIME (GMT): 18:00

ERA: WW2

MAP(S): Henderson Airfield

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): W.Jarvis

SLOTS: 54 / 70

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RATING: (20)

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The Battle of Milne Bay was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, taking place from the 25th of August to the 7th of September 1942. Japanese naval infantry, known as the SNLF, attacked the Allied airfields at Milne Bay with the support of light tanks, catching the Australian garrison by surprise. The Allies, forewarned by intelligence from Ultra, had heavily reinforced the largely Australian force. Due to poor intelligence work, the Japanese miscalculated the size of the garrison and, believing that the airfields were defended by only two or three companies, initially landed a force roughly equivalent in size to one battalion on 25 August 1942.

Despite suffering a significant setback at the outset, when part of the invasion force had its landing craft destroyed by RAAF aircraft as they attempted to land, the Japanese quickly pushed inland and began their advance towards the airfields. Heavy fighting followed as they encountered the Australian Army Reserve troops that formed the first line of defence. These troops were steadily pushed back, but the Australians brought forward veteran Second Australian Imperial Force units that Japanese intelligence had not expected. Finding themselves heavily outnumbered, lacking supplies and suffering heavy casualties in actions around KB Mission and the No. 3 Airstrip, the Japanese withdrew their forces, with fighting coming to an end on 7 September 1942.

The battle is often described as the first major battle of the war in the Pacific in which Allied troops decisively defeated Japanese land forces. Although Japanese land forces had experienced local setbacks elsewhere in the Pacific earlier in the war, unlike at Milne Bay, these earlier actions had not forced them to withdraw completely and abandon their strategic objective. Nor did they have such a profound impact upon the thoughts and perceptions of the Allies towards the Japanese, and their prospects for victory. As a result of the battle, Allied morale was boosted and Milne Bay was developed into a major Allied base, which was used to mount subsequent operations in the region.

05:25 Hours, Milne Bay, Territory of Papua, 31st August, 1942 - With the Japanese offensive stopped in its tracks, the men of D Company, 2/12th Battalion, now begin advancing towards KB Mission in the early hours of the 31st of August as part of a localised counterattack.