Hollandia-Aitape Invasion
Hollandia was the principal Japanese rear supply base in New Guinea. A
sheltered but undeveloped harbor located on Humboldt Bay, it provided the only
protected anchorage of any size between Wewak and Geelvink Bay. The airfield
area, shielded from the sea by the high Cyclops mountain range, was near Lake
Sentani, about twelve miles from Humboldt Bay and midway to Tanahmerah Bay to
the west. The bulk of the enemy's remaining New Guinea air strength was based
on three large airdromes in this area. Hollandia also served the Japanese as a important
trans-shipment point for the unloading and transfer of personnel and cargo from
large transports to smaller coastal vessels. A considerable backlog of supplies
was observed on the beaches and in the vicinity of the airfields. Intelligence
estimated the number of Japanese troops in the Hollandia-Aitape area at the end
of March to be 15,000; at Wewak-Hansa Bay, 30,000; at Wakde-Sarmi, 5,500; and
in the Manokwari-Geelvink Bay area, 11,000. A large Allied task force was
gathered in expectation of a difficult campaign. The closest teamwork of all
participating components would be required to accomplish the largest operation
and the longest amphibious move yet attempted in the Southwest Pacific Area.
The projected operation involved a distance of 985 miles from Goodenough
Island, the principal staging area, and over 480 miles from Cape Cretin, south
of Finschhafen, the advance staging point.
General Krueger, Commanding General of Alamo Force, was made responsible for
the co-ordination and planning of the ground, air, and naval forces. General
Eichelberger, commanded the main landing group comprising the 24th and 41st
Divisions, which was to seize the Hollandia airdromes by invasions at Humboldt
Bay and Tanahmerah Bay. Brig. Gen. Jens Doe, commanded the 163rd Regimental
Combat Team which was to land in the Aitape-Tadji area and capture the Tadji
airfield. Another combat team would be kept in reserve. The naval forces were
to provide air cover and escort protection. Admiral Barbey was in charge of the
naval amphibious forces while the carrier forces of the Fifth Fleet were under
Rear Adm. Marc A. Mitscher.
The entire task force for the invasion rendezvoused north of the Admiralties
and then proceeded in a northwesterly direction toward Palau. Although this
course was 200 miles longer than the direct route, it was intended to mislead
the Japanese and prevent them from determining the exact objective in case of
discovery by aerial reconnaissance. Swinging suddenly southward the huge convoy
approached the New Guinea coast. On 21 April, fast carrier planes struck the
Wakde-Sarmi, and Hollandia airfields while the Fifth and Thirteenth Air Forces
concentrated on Wewak and Hansa Bay.
On 22 April, after heavy preliminary naval and air bombardment, the invasion
troops went ashore according to plan. Complete tactical and strategic surprise
was achieved.
The convoys had
sailed within striking distance of their objectives apparently without
detection. The ease of the landings exceeded even the most sanguine hopes. No
more than token resistance was met at any point and there was no interference
from the enemy's air or naval forces. The painstaking deception measures had
been remarkably effective.
In the Hollandia area, United States troops made a virtually unopposed
advance. At both Humboldt Bay and Tanahmerah Bay opposition to the landings was
ineffective and the two jaws of the giant invasion pincers clamped down rapidly
on both sides of Mt. Cyclops. So stunned was the enemy by the unexpected
landings, that in the beach area complete radar sets and other valuable
equipment, still uncrated, were left behind to be captured. Progress was
limited only by the problems of supply and the difficult terrain since the
Japanese had failed to exploit the natural defensive positions offered by the
narrow mountain defiles. On 26 April the Sentani, Cyclops and Hollandia
airdromes were captured. In the meantime the Tami airstrip, lying on the
coastal flat east of Humboldt Bay, was secured. With all objectives achieved,
only mopping up operations and consolidation remained for the combat troops. On
6 June the Hollandia phase of the operation was officially closed.
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