8 March 1942
Japanese Forces Land on New Guinea
Under the joint control of Australia and the Netherlands, the large island of New Guinea was to serve as an important base for operations against Australia itself. Landings took place on March 8 along the eastern coast of the island, first at the Australian-held ports of Lae and Salamaua, with another following two days later (March 10 th) at the Dutch-controlled port of Finschhafen. A further landing was planned for Port Moresby, on the coast of Papua, but the operation was postponed until May after U.S. aircraft from the carriers Lexington and Yorktown unexpectedly attacked the Japanese positions at Lae and Salamaua. Nevertheless, work began immediately on a series of air bases from which to launch attacks on Australia.

History:
The New Guinea Campaign

Photograph:
Japanese planes destroyed in U.S. air strike on Lae