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Bearing in mind at this time I’d never held a rifle in my hand, never ever fired one – didn’t know anything about it ... Next minute we’re over there [Sanananda] and we’re lining up at 3.15pm on the 7th of December, fixed bayonets …

Private Kevin Barry, 55th/53rd Battalion. Learn more about his account.

As with the attacks at Buna and Gona, the Allies underestimated the strength of the Japanese forces. There were thousands more Japanese troops at Buna, Gona and Sanananda than the Allies expected. The Japanese were well-armed with machine guns and mortars. They were camouflaged in well-defended bunkers.

Australian and US troops suffered heavy casualties. The initial attack on Sanananda was a dismal failure, as were attacks all along the Beachheads.

Tropical disease was rampant. The Allies had to evacuate many sick troops, particularly with malaria. Commanders noted the mosquito was as challenging to deal with as the Japanese.

Supply was also difficult. The Allies could only get supplies through the swamp intermittently. When they did so, they were at great risk of enemy fire. After the Allies built airfields, aerial supply helped. It was the wet season, though, and often pouring with rain. Dense vegetation and well-camouflaged positions worsened the poor visibility, hindering the success of fly-overs. The battle dragged on until 22 January 1943, when the Japanese finally retreated.

: Sanananda village and the battlefield toward Buna

Caption
Sanananda was the centre of the Japanese base on the north coast of Papua. In 1942, this area was covered by storage sheds, piles of equipment, ammunition dumps, and hospitals. On the beach, the rusty remains of the barges used to bring all of this ashore can still be seen.
An Australian with an Owen gun

Photo: An Australian with an Owen gun

An Australian with an Owen gun in the dense jungle in the Sanananda area.
An Australian, wounded on the leg, rolls a cigarette for a Japanese prisoner

Photo: An Australian, wounded on the leg, rolls a cigarette for a Japanese prisoner

An Australian, probably from the 2nd/7th Cavalry Regiment, wounded on the leg, rolls a cigarette for a Japanese prisoner captured at Sanananda.
A wounded Australian is placed on a jeep.

Photo: A wounded Australian is placed on a jeep.

Papuan stretcher bearers place a wounded Australian onto a jeep.
Walking wounded in the Sanananda area

Photo: Walking wounded in the Sanananda area

Walking wounded in the Sanananda area, possibly a member of the 2nd/7th Cavalry Commando, assisted by QX16184 Corporal A.G. 'Scrap Iron' Arthur.
Australian mortars laying a barrage, Sanananda

Photo: Australian mortars laying a barrage, Sanananda

Preparing the way for a further advance at Sanananda. Australian mortars laying a barrage. It's claimed that well-trained Australian mortar crews in Papua could keep 8 mortar shells in the air at the same time.
Fragment of battlefield, Sanananda.

Photo: Fragment of battlefield, Sanananda

The Sanananda Track, with a General Stuart tank, abandoned Japanese foxholes and equipment.
Huggins Road Block, Sanananda Road

Photo: Huggins Road Block, Sanananda Road

On Sanananda Road, approaching Sanananda Point. A strategic block astride Japanese lines of communications where heavy fighting took place. The drawing was created from life with the Allies fiercely engaging the Japanese on the east side of the road. It depicts US forces in camp resting and washing, an Australian platoon moving up for action and wounded carried away from battle by Papuans.