in 1942, the japanese occupied the aitape region in northern new guinea as part of their general advance south. throughout 1943 and into 1944, the allies began a series of offensives in new guinea and the surrounding area as they sought to reduce the main japanese base around rabaul on new britain, as part of a general advance towards the philippines that was planned for 1944 and 1945. on 22 april 1944, united states army forces—primarily the 163rd regimental combat team from the 41st infantry division—landed at aitape and recaptured the area to help secure the flank of us forces fighting around hollandia. following this, aitape was developed as base from which to support the continuing allied drive towards the philippines and the us forces in the area increased to include elements of the 31st and 32nd infantry divisions. largely these forces stayed inside a small defensive area around the airfield, and apart from the battle of driniumor river in july, the fighting was limited. as preparations began for this drive, it was decided that defence of the area would be passed to australian forces to release the american troops for service elsewhere. consequently, in early october 1944, troops from the australian 6th division along with some support personnel from the 3rd base sub area began to arrive at aitape to relieve the american garrison. the first unit to arrive was the 2/6th cavalry commando regiment and they began patrolling operations almost immediately.