in the torricelli mountains, the 17th brigade continued its advance against stubborn japanese defence. nevertheless, by 23 april 1945, they had secured maprik. the fall of maprik allowed the australians to begin constructing an airfield away at hayfield, and this was completed on 14 may allowing reinforcements and supplies to be flown in. elsewhere, the 19th brigade had begun its assault on wewak in early may. hmas "hobart", "arunta", "warramunga", "swan" and hms "newfoundland" (of the british pacific fleet) as well as the raaf bombarded the wewak defences. on 11 may, a landing at dove bay by farida force was undertaken to encircle wewak and prevent the escape of its garrison. wewak fell on the same day, as the 19th brigade occupied its airfield. the fighting around wewak airfield continued until 15 may, however, when men from the 2/4th battalion, with armoured support, attacked japanese positions overlooking the airstrip. it was during this attack that private edward kenna carried out the deeds that led to him being awarded the victoria cross, attacking several japanese bunkers.