initially tasked with the defence of the port, airfield and base facilities at aitape, the 2/6th cavalry commando regiment was ordered to advance towards wewak to destroy the remnants of the japanese 18th army. patrols by the 2/6th cavalry commando regiment preceded the main australian advance of the 6th division. the attack, which began in november 1944, proceeded along two axes—the 19th brigade moved along the coast towards the japanese base at wewak, while the 2/6th cavalry commando regiment, working with angau detachments, advanced into the torricelli mountains, driving towards maprik, which provided the japanese with most of their supplies. while the advance was under way, the 17th brigade was assigned the task of building a defensive position around the airfield and base facilities at aitape, while the 16th brigade was held back in reserve.