Operation Persecution

Maps

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  Hollandia-Aitape Operations
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  Aitape Landings
• 
  Securing the Beachhead

Action

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  Part of Task Force 77 en route for the Aitape invasion, 21 April 1944. The landings took place on the following day.
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  US and RAAF troops watch the allied convoy coming in for the landing near Aitape, 22 April 1944.
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  DUKWs head toward the beach at Aitape, 22 April 1944.
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  American Soldiers moving ashore at Aitape, New Guinea, 22 April 1944
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  Captured Tadji airfield at Aitape with Lockheed P38 Lightning aircraft, 22 April 1944.
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  Troops unloading supplies at Aitape. In the background are the two AK's.
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  RAAF Airmen with supplies and stores - Aitape, 23 April 1944.
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  MEDIUM TANKS AND THEIR CREWS pause in their drive toward the airstrip during the first day ashore. Tank in the foreground is temporarily out of use. The landing at Aitape was designed to engage the enemy in the area and provide air support for the troops at Hollandia.
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  AITAPE AREA, NORTH EAST NEW GUINEA. C. 1944-04-22/23. RAAF GROUND CREWS SEARCHING FOR SOUVENIRS LEFT BY THE JAPANESE IN KORAKO VILLAGE.
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  AITAPE, NORTH EAST NEW GUINEA. 1944-04-24. ENGINEERS OF NO. 62 WORKS WING RAAF PUTTING UP A DUTY PILOT'S TOWER ON THE RAAF BUILT AIRSTRIP AT TADJI, FROM WHICH AN ALLIED FIGHTER UMBRELLA OPERATED BETWEEN HOLLANDIA AND WEWAK.
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  Aircraft landing on Tadji Airstrip near Aitape, 24 April 1944.
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  AITAPE, NORTH EAST NEW GUINEA. 1944-02-25. RAAF GROUND FORCES WHO WENT IN WITH AMERICAN STORM TROOPS WERE WORKING ON THE AIRSTRIP AT TADJI A FEW HOURS AFTER ITS CAPTURE. HERE THEY ARE SHOWN LEVELLING AND HARDENING THE STRIP SURFACE ON THE MORNING OF THE SECOND DAY.
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  AITAPE, NORTH EAST NEW GUINEA. 1944-02-25. RAAF GROUND FORCES WHO WENT IN WITH AMERICAN STORM TROOPS WERE WORKING ON THE AIRSTRIP AT TADJI A FEW HOURS AFTER ITS CAPTURE. HERE THEY ARE USING HEAVING EQUIPMENT TO LEVEL AND HARDEN THE STRIP SURFACE ON THE MORNING OF THE SECOND DAY.
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  CAPTURED ENEMY SOLDIER BEING QUESTIONED at Aitape. The operation there gave the Allies another airstrip.
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  US-Patrol near Aitape, 2 May 1944.
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  Men of the 1st Battalion, 183rd Infantry embarking aboard USS LCI(L)-74 at Aitape, New Guinea, circa 15 to 18 May 1944
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  Aitape, New Guinea, July 1944: HMAS Arunta bombarding Japanese positions.