Milne Bay 1942: The Story of ‘Milne-Force’ and Japan’s First Military Defeat on Land

Fiftieth anniversary history of the battle of Milne Bay, in which TMilne-Force’ inflicted Japan’s first military defeat on land during WWII. The authors present a detailed account of this important battle, supported by over 300 illustrations, photographs and maps, eyewitness accounts, and related poems and songs. Contains a bibliography, a glossary and various indexes. (plus Addendum inserted.) pp. 496 First Edition. #1020 ISBN 10: 0646054058 ISBN 13: 9780646054056 (Stamp on prelim.) This book is a detailed history of the Battle of Milne Bay during World War Two. The Battle of Milne Bay, also known as Operation RE by the Japanese, was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines attacked the Australian base at Milne Bay on the eastern tip of New Guinea on 25 August 1942, and fighting continued until the Japanese retreated on 5 September 1942. However armed resistance ended on 7 September 1942. The battle was the first in the Pacific campaign in which Allied troops decisively defeated Japanese land forces, forcing them to withdraw and completely abandon their strategic objective.Japanese forces had experienced local setbacks before: their first attack on Wake Island was thrown back, and American Marines defeated the Japanese on Guadalcanal in the Battle of the Tenaru, four days before the Battle of Milne Bay began. But unlike Milne Bay, these actions did not result in complete Japanese withdrawal and the abandonment of the military campaign.