Bita Paka

The Australians were prepared for resistance but did not know to what extent nor the actual strength of the German armed military they might be facing.

As it transpired, there was only one point of resistance at the site of the wireless station at Bita Paka on the island of New Britain.

The Australians landed unopposed at Herbertshöhe in Blanche Bay on the 11th of September.

They believed there were two wireless stations, one operational at Bita Paka, four miles south of where they landed, and the other still under construction inland.

Lieutenant Roland Bowen led a unit of 25 naval reservists and 15 medical and communication men south to Bita Paka.

They headed into the dense jungle to avoid the roads.

At 2,000 yards in, they came across about 20 Melanesians led by three German reservists preparing for an ambush.

Further defenders were disarmed and the station was captured by about 7pm.