Operation Postern

The Battle to Recapture Lae from the Japanese, 1943

By Ian Howie-Willis

Published by Big Sky Publishing
RRP $32.99 in paperback | ISBN 9781922896148

Who better than Ian Howie-Willis to write the story of Operation Postern. He spent two periods of his life living in Papua New Guinea, including Lae. The history of that country was the subject of his PhD.

In 1942, Japanese troops seized and brutally occupied Lae, for 18 months— until 16 September 1943. On that day Australian soldiers retook the town against fierce resistance.

Defeated, and after suffering huge losses, 8000 Japanese soldiers fled across the formidable mountains behind the town. Of this number, it is reported that around 2000 died on the nightmare trek.

The codename for the main operations to take Lae was Operation Postern. Planned as part of wider operations to eventually secure the Huon Peninsula, the operation to recapture Lae was planned by General Thomas Blamey who had assumed command of the Allied Forces in New Guinea.

Howie-Willis goes beyond the facts of the military engagement between opposing forces. He also explores the impact of these events on the village communities caught in the crossfire. They were involved in a war not of their own making. It was a war they did not want yet, unwittingly, they became the ‘third force’, performing vital roles such as guides and bearers.

In the end, the success of Operation Postern shattered the Japanese belief they could maintain control over the New Guinea mainland.

VERDICT: Howie-Willis has produced an excellent and highly readable account of this important campaign. His acknowledgement of the essential role of village communities highlights an often overlooked element of the war in New Guinea. 

For a more detailed and authoritative review of this book, go to THIS LINK.