The little-remembered Battle of Buna was unique among American offensives in the Pacific. It was the only battle that was not preceded by naval gunfire or supported by naval guns of any kind. It was the only battle that did not begin with an amphibious landing. It was the only battle in which the Americans attacked from inland while the Japanese defended the beaches.
Other than Guadalcanal, Buna was the only battle in which air superiority had not been established first. It was the only battle in which an ally (Australia) contributed equally or more so in men, material, and logistics––and took more casualties than the Americans. This is how it happened.
On May 6, 1942, American and Philippine forces on Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese. Even as they did, the next Japanese offensive was already in progress. Steaming south from the island fortress of Truk, a powerful Japanese task force threaded its way through the Solomon Islands and into the Coral Sea. Their destination was the Australian outpost of Port Moresby on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea. The Japanese already controlled two thirds of the vast island and the landings at Port Moresby would consolidate their position and enable them to threaten Australia with invasion.
