Japanese occupation of New Guinea

In 1941, the island of New Guinea was divided into Dutch New Guinea in the west (administered as part of the Dutch East Indies), the Australian territory of Papua in the south-east, and the Australian-administered New Guinea mandate in the north-east. Japanese forces invaded the northern portions of the island in early 1942, following the outbreak of the Pacific War,^[2] quickly capturing the New Guinea territorial capital of Rabaul and forcing an evacuation of Australian civilians in the mandate. Japanese forces also subsequently occupied the Dutch administrative capital Hollandia (today known as Jayapura) and established it as their capital during their occupation in New Guinea.^[3]

Japanese forces captured and occupied Hollandia in April 1942 and it was established as the capital of the administration.^[4] The Imperial Japanese Navy established a base in Jayapura port in 1942.^{[5][unreliable source]} The Navy also anchored their ships in Humboldt Bay and later added infantry troops to strengthen their marines. According to the Allies, there were two infantry regiments in Papua and one marine regiment.^[6]

The Dutch had tried to increase trade from Papua, but the Japanese increased it even more.^[7] The Japanese later established Cenderawasih University in 1943.^[8] In Hollandia, the Japanese forced the native Papuans to create roads and at Lake Sentani there were three airfields created by manual labour.^[9] The occupation of Jayapura was described as the worst in all of the Dutch East Indies^[10]

In April 1944, US troop entered in Hollandia and fought with Japanese forces which later ended in a victory for the allies with US troops occupying the city.

The town of Sentani was occupied by Japanese forces on 1943 which later ended on 1944, when Allied troops rounded up 800 Japanese soldiers and killed them all.^[11]

The town of Kavieng of New Ireland was occupied by Japanese forces in January 1942 and there was a military base established there by the Japanese, smaller than the one at Rabaul.^[12] The town was frequently bombed by allied forces throughout 1943-1944 until it was liberated by Australian and American troops in 1945.^[13] There are many sunken ships of the Japanese on the coastline of Kavieng, which is now a popular tourist destination. Nearly the whole town was destroyed after allied troops took it back due to bombings in the area.^[14]

On 23 January 1942, 5,000 Japanese forces captured Rabaul. There were around 100 ships docked at Simpson Harbour, and many Koreans, British, and Indians were forced into labour on Rabaul.^[15] On 13 September 1945, Australian troops captured the city, ending the occupation.^[16]