What happened in Papua New Guinea during the Japanese invasion of World War II?

During World War II, the Japanese military invaded northern New Guinea in early 1942, capturing the territorial headquarters at Rabaul on the island of New Britain. Following this, the Japanese sought to seize Port Moresby to disrupt Allied communications between the United States and Australia.123

Key events during the conflict included:

• Battle of the Coral Sea: In May 1942, an Allied victory in this naval battle forced the Japanese to abandon a planned seaborne invasion of Port Moresby.12
• Kokoda Track Campaign: Unable to reach Port Moresby by sea, the Japanese launched an overland campaign across the rugged Kokoda Trail. Despite reaching within 35 miles of Port Moresby, they were eventually pushed back by Australian troops.123
• Battle of Milne Bay: In August–September 1942, the Japanese suffered their first major land-based setback of the war when their attempt to outflank Port Moresby was defeated by Allied forces.14
• Allied Counter-Offensive: By early 1943, Allied forces had secured Papua, ending the Japanese drive south. Australian and U.S. troops continued to fight in the region until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.351