ARAWE 1 - December 15, 1943

Strategic Situation:
After the capture of Lae the next major objectives are Finschhafen and Madang, both of which will be assaulted mainly by Australian ground forces supported by Allied naval units. Amphibious support for these operations has to cross the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits that separate New Guinea from the island of New Britain. A major landing (Operation Dexterity) by the US Marines on Cape Gloucester (near the western end of New Britain) is planned for late December. A diversion from this landing (Operation Director) is planned for mid-December; a small US Army force will assault the Arawe Peninsula on southern part of New Britain. 

Tactical Briefing:
You will command Operation Director. Your orders are to occupy the peninsula and some nearby islands. The objective of the landings is to divert Japanese Army troops away from Cape Gloucester (which is approximately 50 miles to the north west on the northern coast); a secondary objective is a Japanese seaplane base on the peninsula. Despite the fact that this is a small diversionary operation you will have significant naval support and the Japanese opposition is sure to be as tough as anywhere else. Your landing force is in the range of the Japanese air force at Rabaul, so expect the worst. 