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Victory in Papua
By mid-1942 the Japanese forces were threatening to take the colonial capital of Port Moresby and therefore gain a base to launch their proposed invasion of Australia.
The allied forces needed to blunt the Japanese thrust toward Australia and thus protect the transpacific line of communications, as well as to secure a favorable position to take the offensive to the Japanese.
Yet this was easier planned than executed; the Australians had been battered through two years of combat with their enemies and although the Americans were bringing large numbers of reinforcements, they were living under intolerable conditions, plagued by disease, short of equipment, ill-prepared for jungle fighting, and pitted against a skilled and resolute foe.
According to Australian military historian, John Laffin, the campaign "was arguably the most arduous fought by any Allied troops during World War II".
Milner uncovers every aspect of the campaign in 1942 from its early planning stages through to the many conflicts with Japanese troops that culminated in the brutal Battle of Buna-Gona in early 1943. However, rather than simply giving an overview of these turbulent months Milner focuses particularly on the actions of the 32nd Infantry Division who were at the frontline of the offensive to give the reader a direct view of what life was like during the campaign.
To develop a picture of this dramatic campaign Milner drew from not only the official records but also spoke to men who were there and saw it, including Robert L. Eichelberger, as well as drawing from many Australian sources and historians.
“Samuel Milner’s Victory in Papua , the official U.S. Army history, provides a thorough narrative of the Papua New Guinea campaign and is an excellent starting point.” Major Matthew H. Fath, Intrepidity, Iron Will, and General Robert L. Eichelberger and Military Genius
“a solid and valued work.” James Jay Carafano
“a thorough account of the actions of the 32nd Division in the Papuan campaign of 1942.” Henry L. Roberts, Foreign Affairs
“In telling the story of a comparatively limited number of troops, the author has been able to present the combat experience of small units in sharper focus than has been possible in most of the other full-scale campaign volumes.” Maj. Gen. A. C. Smith, Chief of Military History
Samuel Milner was a historian who held a graduate degree in history from the University of Alberta and had done further graduate work in political science at the University of Minnesota. He had served during the war as a historian with the Army Air Transport Command in Australia and New Guinea, and worked for the Army office of the chief of military history after the war. After this he worked as government historian for many years before passing away in 2000. His book Victory in Papua was first published in 1957.
The allied forces needed to blunt the Japanese thrust toward Australia and thus protect the transpacific line of communications, as well as to secure a favorable position to take the offensive to the Japanese.
Yet this was easier planned than executed; the Australians had been battered through two years of combat with their enemies and although the Americans were bringing large numbers of reinforcements, they were living under intolerable conditions, plagued by disease, short of equipment, ill-prepared for jungle fighting, and pitted against a skilled and resolute foe.
According to Australian military historian, John Laffin, the campaign "was arguably the most arduous fought by any Allied troops during World War II".
Milner uncovers every aspect of the campaign in 1942 from its early planning stages through to the many conflicts with Japanese troops that culminated in the brutal Battle of Buna-Gona in early 1943. However, rather than simply giving an overview of these turbulent months Milner focuses particularly on the actions of the 32nd Infantry Division who were at the frontline of the offensive to give the reader a direct view of what life was like during the campaign.
To develop a picture of this dramatic campaign Milner drew from not only the official records but also spoke to men who were there and saw it, including Robert L. Eichelberger, as well as drawing from many Australian sources and historians.
“Samuel Milner’s Victory in Papua , the official U.S. Army history, provides a thorough narrative of the Papua New Guinea campaign and is an excellent starting point.” Major Matthew H. Fath, Intrepidity, Iron Will, and General Robert L. Eichelberger and Military Genius
“a solid and valued work.” James Jay Carafano
“a thorough account of the actions of the 32nd Division in the Papuan campaign of 1942.” Henry L. Roberts, Foreign Affairs
“In telling the story of a comparatively limited number of troops, the author has been able to present the combat experience of small units in sharper focus than has been possible in most of the other full-scale campaign volumes.” Maj. Gen. A. C. Smith, Chief of Military History
Samuel Milner was a historian who held a graduate degree in history from the University of Alberta and had done further graduate work in political science at the University of Minnesota. He had served during the war as a historian with the Army Air Transport Command in Australia and New Guinea, and worked for the Army office of the chief of military history after the war. After this he worked as government historian for many years before passing away in 2000. His book Victory in Papua was first published in 1957.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1957
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 2, 2019
This is a detailed accounting of the 6-month campaign in Papua in 1942. I have read several other books about the battles, which turned back the Japanese from Port Moresby so I was somewhat famiiar with the basics. It was horrible struggle in the Owen Stanley Range and then on the north coast for such objectives as Sanananda, Gona and Buna. The casualty levels were high because of tenacious combat and horrendous fighting conditions, which led to diseases and unimaginable suffering.
There are some maps, but the number of place names are mind-boggling. The author also is scrupulous in naming the soldiers involved as they should be recognized for their bravery. He does omit the name of one individual who could not face the enemy, and was arrested. It makes you wonder how many others there were.
Strangely, the book has a sub-title referring to the U.S Army in Papua. The Australians also played a major role in the campaign, but for some reason the Americans didn't have as great an appreciation for their efforts. Perhaps it was the MacArthur mentality of keep pushing as fast as possible whereas the Australians wanted to take a day off once in awhile to let their men have a breather.
I must admit that I was glad to see the author address an issue that I had wondered about. He makes no judgment, but lets a Japanese officer make the point. "Tactically the Allied co-ordination of fire power and advance was very skillful. However we were in such a position at Buna that we wondered whether the Americans would by-pass us and leave us to starve." I'm sure there were many who wondered if that wouldn't have been the best way.
There are some maps, but the number of place names are mind-boggling. The author also is scrupulous in naming the soldiers involved as they should be recognized for their bravery. He does omit the name of one individual who could not face the enemy, and was arrested. It makes you wonder how many others there were.
Strangely, the book has a sub-title referring to the U.S Army in Papua. The Australians also played a major role in the campaign, but for some reason the Americans didn't have as great an appreciation for their efforts. Perhaps it was the MacArthur mentality of keep pushing as fast as possible whereas the Australians wanted to take a day off once in awhile to let their men have a breather.
I must admit that I was glad to see the author address an issue that I had wondered about. He makes no judgment, but lets a Japanese officer make the point. "Tactically the Allied co-ordination of fire power and advance was very skillful. However we were in such a position at Buna that we wondered whether the Americans would by-pass us and leave us to starve." I'm sure there were many who wondered if that wouldn't have been the best way.
June 15, 2022
Not the most exciting read (listen if you're into audiobooks), but well worth its salt for military history fans.
At first thought about giving up early and rating this book with just 3 stars as the narrative is far from the first person guts, gore and glory/misery tales of best WWII history books that I like most (I assume most other readers of military history do to). However, glad that I persisted as I realized that this is written from the perspective of how the war would be seen from the perspective of middle/upper military management (Colonel to Lieutenant General).
At first thought about giving up early and rating this book with just 3 stars as the narrative is far from the first person guts, gore and glory/misery tales of best WWII history books that I like most (I assume most other readers of military history do to). However, glad that I persisted as I realized that this is written from the perspective of how the war would be seen from the perspective of middle/upper military management (Colonel to Lieutenant General).
January 14, 2021
There is a good book in there somewhere, but there is so much trivia about different unit names and numbers and specifics on soldier names, ranks, etc that would be OK if there were just a few, but the info goes on for page after page. It takes a disciplined reader to get through the book. Whereas many books are page turners and the reader laments getting to the end, with Victory in Papua, the reader wonders when all the irrelevant details will end. The book could use a good editor for the popular version, but it is unclear how much text would survive.
Our Jungle Road to Tokyo by General Eichelberger is a much better written rendition of the war in New Guinea.
Our Jungle Road to Tokyo by General Eichelberger is a much better written rendition of the war in New Guinea.
January 30, 2020
Rarely told story
Though interesting , for this battle was entirely new to me, it would have helped greatly to have more maps. There were maybe three maps in the whole book. It was quite difficult to follow the text without having any idea of the layout of the battlefield. The one detailed map provided showed up after I had read 85 percent of the book. I realize Mr. Milner has gone up to the great library up in the many years ago. If his publisher were to ever republish this book, they would have at least add a few more detailed maps, relevant to the chapters in this book.
Though interesting , for this battle was entirely new to me, it would have helped greatly to have more maps. There were maybe three maps in the whole book. It was quite difficult to follow the text without having any idea of the layout of the battlefield. The one detailed map provided showed up after I had read 85 percent of the book. I realize Mr. Milner has gone up to the great library up in the many years ago. If his publisher were to ever republish this book, they would have at least add a few more detailed maps, relevant to the chapters in this book.
July 19, 2017
The writing in the book is very good. I have found it very difficult to find anything to read on the Kokoda Trail and the Battle for Buna. The book has filled this gap quite well. There are some facts that are incorrect but they are entirely found in the naval aspects of the campaign.
Great care was given to fully describe the experiences of both sides and what they endured such as starvation, disease and terrible weather conditions which oftentimes gets overlooked.
Great care was given to fully describe the experiences of both sides and what they endured such as starvation, disease and terrible weather conditions which oftentimes gets overlooked.
March 17, 2019
Good Read
This book captures and describes the Hell that the Allies were forced to endure while fighting in Papua. The tactical accounts of the fighting were very detailed but the reader can get lost as there were no maps to provide context. In any event, this book was well worth the read.
This book captures and describes the Hell that the Allies were forced to endure while fighting in Papua. The tactical accounts of the fighting were very detailed but the reader can get lost as there were no maps to provide context. In any event, this book was well worth the read.
January 31, 2019
World War 2 Story
This is a good summary of the battle of New Guinea. It is an official history and like most, it is somewhat boring. However in reading it you get the idea that this battle was particularly difficult for the GI. It is good for the history of the region
This is a good summary of the battle of New Guinea. It is an official history and like most, it is somewhat boring. However in reading it you get the idea that this battle was particularly difficult for the GI. It is good for the history of the region
March 3, 2019
God History
Too many regurgitations of units and their commanders. Some mention of enlisted and NCOs. A few times I lost sense of the battles and then I realized there were sections that reverted in time to show various units’ activities during a time frame.
Too many regurgitations of units and their commanders. Some mention of enlisted and NCOs. A few times I lost sense of the battles and then I realized there were sections that reverted in time to show various units’ activities during a time frame.
March 14, 2019
Great story of a little covered campaign
A great read of campaign not usually covered and some early mistakes and lesson of the army in the Pacific. Maybe a little too much technical detail, but a great read.
A great read of campaign not usually covered and some early mistakes and lesson of the army in the Pacific. Maybe a little too much technical detail, but a great read.
August 9, 2019
Papua
A very interesting, if not lengthy, account of a little known part of World War II. I found the fighting relationship of the Australians alongside the Americans quite interesting. A good book to read for anyone interested in the Pacific part of the War.
A very interesting, if not lengthy, account of a little known part of World War II. I found the fighting relationship of the Australians alongside the Americans quite interesting. A good book to read for anyone interested in the Pacific part of the War.
February 18, 2020
Informative and detailed
Anyone looking for an analysis of the lessons of the now mostly forgotten Papuan campaign, as well as the personalities involved, will find this an invaluable resource.
Anyone looking for an analysis of the lessons of the now mostly forgotten Papuan campaign, as well as the personalities involved, will find this an invaluable resource.
March 7, 2019
Very good history of Papua
Interesting account of the battle in Papua. Was Macarthur a good guy or not needs further study. Great book and I enjoyed it.
Interesting account of the battle in Papua. Was Macarthur a good guy or not needs further study. Great book and I enjoyed it.
May 18, 2019
I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE DIFFICULT READING IN THAT THERE IS NO VISUAL ASSIST TO GET A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE OVERLY LOGISTICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITIES BEING DESCRIBED.
June 21, 2019
Milner makes it clear that overcoming the Japanese was only part of the battle in Papaua.
June 25, 2019
Factual
This was a factual treatment of the subject. It might have used more first person narrative to avoid being so dry.
This was a factual treatment of the subject. It might have used more first person narrative to avoid being so dry.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews