HQ New Guinea Force

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Brief History

in April 1942, an Army-wide reorganisation was undertaken which saw the establishment of a new command – New Guinea Force which served as a military command unit for Australian, United States and native troops serving in the New Guinea campaign during World War II. Formed in April 1942, when the First Australian Army was formed from the Australian I Corps after it returned from the Middle East, it was responsible for planning and directing all operations within the territory up until October 1944. General Douglas MacArthur, placed all Australian and US Army, Air Force and Navy Forces in the Port Moresby Area under the control of New Guinea Force. Over the course of its existence, New Guinea Force was commanded by some of the Australian Army's most notable commanders, including Sydney Rowell, Sir Edmund Herring and Sir Leslie Morshead. General Sir Thomas Blamey also commanded the force in 1942 while based in Port Moresby.

A New Guinea Force Rear Details unit existed in north Queensland

Unit Personnel

• John William Alexander - HQ unit - 16 Jan 1943 - 14 Mar 1944 &
  

                        Rear Details unit - 6 May - 27 Sep 1944

• Andrew Wilkinson 16 Jan - 18 Mar 1943 & 21 Jun 5 May 1944 &
  

                        Rear Details Unit - 6 May - 27 Sep 1944

Major engagements

• Milne Bay: August – September 1942
• Kokoda: July – November 1942
• Buna–Gona: November 1942 – January 1943
• Wau: January 1943
• Salamaua-Lae: April - September 1943
• Battle of Mubo: March - July 1943
• Landing at Nassau Bay: August 1943
• Landing at Nadzab: September 1943
• Landing at Lae: September 1943