Location
Lat 3° 7' 60S Long 142° 20' 60E  Coastal town to the east of Vanimo and west of Wewak and Tadji.

Wartime History
Occupied by the Japanese. Assaulted by US Army during Operation Persecution, commanded by Brigadier General Jens A. Doe. On April 22, 1944 the US Army 32nd Division landed without opposition in the Aitape area, in conjunction with the main landing at Hollandia.

American Missions Against Aitape
January 19 - August 10, 1944

The objective of this operation was to secure and hold the Tadji Airfield, and hold the flank and prevent Japanese from Wewak from attacking toward Hollanida. Also, to establish light naval facilities at Aitape to support further operations against the Japanese, who later counter attacked at the Driniumor River. The 124th RCT of the 31st Infantry Division landed at Aitape July 3-6.  They paricipated in the general offensive launched July 13 to the Drinumour River. From August to October 1944, Australian forces began to take over, activity was confined to patrolling.

Australian Relief
The 6th Division,commanded by Maj-General J E S Stevens) took over from the American the role of Tadji airfield and harbor defense, and patrolling. The advance unit of the division arrived late in October 1944. This was the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment comprising the 2/7th, 2/9th and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. It took over from the Americans at Babiang and occupied outpost positions at Aiterap, Kanti and Palauru.

P-38J-15 Lightning 42-103987
Piloted by Lynch, crashed one mile SSW of Aitape

Ataipe High School
Since the 1974 recoveries at Tadji, one wreck this B-25 was selected for display at the school as a WWII Memorial for the town, and represents one of the last complete American wrecks in the Aitape area. It is a well known 'landmark' of the school and town. Over the decades, outsiders have asked the school to purchase the wreck and remove it, to which they have declined.

B-25C "Feather Merchant" 41-12442
Recovered from Tadji for a memorial at Aitape High School in 1974

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Last Updated
May 14, 2011