Background Battle of Mubo

area map of new guinea , surrounds

while fighting had been taking place further along kokoda track, , around milne bay , buna , gona, small forces of australians new guinea volunteer rifles , commandos kanga force had attempted maintain contact japanese in north around wau, mubo , salamaua. operating in vicinity of japanese bases had been established in huon gulf region, during time, australians limited reconnaissance , observation operations, although in june 1942 raids launched against salamaua , against heath s plantation in lae. in response, japanese brought in reinforcements , subsequently advanced mubo , guadagasai.

in late january 1943, in wake of defeat around buna , gona, japanese had sought shore hold of lae capturing wau , establishing perimeter. during battle of wau australians, after flying in reinforcements, had repelled japanese attempt capture vital airfield around wau 2 infantry battalions. in process, last japanese attempt capture port moresby turned back. in aftermath, okabe detachment, brigade-sized formation under command of major general toru okabe, had withdrawn towards mubo, began regroup around area of high ground around waipali , guadagasal, numbering 800 strong. during withdrawal mubo, estimated japanese had lost 1,200 men due starvation. following them up, australian force – consisting of 17th brigade under command of brigadier murray moten – had advanced area surrounding wau , had begun moving towards mubo.

after reporting withdrawal of large numbers of japanese along buibaining–waipali track, in march australian 2/7th independent company began harassing japanese troops around mubo, australians sought screen wau position, , hold japanese @ arm s length, while supply problems forward of wau resolved. in mid-march, 2/5th infantry battalion occupied guadagasal ridge, japanese forces in area withdrew further following allied bombing attacks , losses @ sea during battle of bismarck sea. nevertheless, okabe detachment reinforced marines maizuru special naval landing party. in april, patrols 2/5th clashed japanese around observation hill on several occasions , later in month 2/7th infantry battalion dispatched relieve them, while men 2/7th independent company relieved @ time. in effort defend approaches wau, troops 2/7th infantry established 1 company in defensive position around lababia ridge, located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south-west of mubo; other companies established @ waipali, mat mat hill – on opposite bank of bitoi river – , further south around hill 7. meanwhile, 17th brigade reinforced arrival of 3rd division s headquarters on 23 april 1943, major general stanley savige in command.