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 U.S. Army 1944  U.S. Army 1944 |
Location Lat 3° 17' 52S Long 142° 35' 5E Afua village is located to the west of the Driniumor River (Bando River) inland from the north coast of New Guinea. To the south is the Torricelli Range. To the north was Hill 80. To the northwest was Kwamagnirk and further to the west is Palauru. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in the Aitape-Lumi District of West Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prewar A walking trail known as the Anamo-Afua Trail spanned from Anamo southward to Afua. Another walking trail known as the Afua-Palauru Trail spanned from Afua westward to Palauru. Wartime History On June 29, 1944 the U.S. Army 112th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Squadron advanced from Palauru along the Afua-Palauru Trail to Afua and established defensive positions in the area that formed the southern most part of the American line and were responsible for roughly 3,000 yards including 500 yards to the south of Afua during the Battle of the Driniumor River. A feature with 80' elevation was dubbed "HIll 80" by the U.S. Army and beyond an air dropping area. On July 10, 1944 at 10:00am a Cavalry men departed Afua eastwards for a reconnaissance in force but were unable to maintain contact by radio or runners with its regimental headquarters due to the difficult terrain. After the Japanese attack across the Driniumor River, their "Left Flank Unit" was to seize and clear the Afua area then advance westward over the Afua-Palauru Trail. Afua was an important battlefield location defended by the U.S. Army 112th Cavalry, 1st Squadron and 2nd Squadron. On August 4, 1944 during the morning the surviving Japanese launched a suicidal banzai charge in front of their positions to cover the withdrawal of other Japanese in the area and was the last action by the Japanese during the battle. Allied missions against Afua July 14, 1944–August 5, 1944 Today The present day Afua village is located at a different location than the wartime village. References U.S. Army in World War II The Approach to the Philippines Chapter VI Deployment for Battle pages 134, 135, 139, 140, 143, 144, 150 U.S. Army in World War II The Approach to the Philippines Chapter VII The Battle of the Driniumor Phase I: The 18th Army Attacks pages 154, 156-159, 161-163, 165, 167, 169, 170-174, 176 U.S. Army in World War II The Approach to the Philippines Chapter VIII The Battle of the Driniumor Phase II: The 18th Army Retreats pages 177, 178 (photo), 179-188, 192, 193 (map 8), 194-197, 199-200 Defending the Driniumor: Covering Force Operations in New Guinea, 1944 (1984) by Edward J. Drea page 8 (map) Contribute
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