Battle of Biak

The Battle of Biak was part of the New Guinea campaign of World War II. It was fought between the United States and Japan from May 27, 1944 to 20 June 1944. It was the first use of ambush (tactics of delay raised to a military science) by the Japanese.

Biak, an island, dominates the entrance to Geelvink Bay, near the western end of New Guinea. The island was held by 11,000 Japanese troops under the command of Colonel Kuzume Naoyuki. Disdainful of the doctrine of destruction at the water's edge, he decided instead to allow the Americans to come ashore unopposed so that they would stroll unwarily into the trap he would prepare for them. This would turn the area around the vital airfield there into a martial honeycomb of caves and pillboxes filled with riflemen, automatic weapons, artillery, batteries of mortars, and light tanks. Naoyuki also stockpiled these positions with enough ammunition, food and water (water was less than abundant on Biak, where heat and humidity would take a toll equal to enemy gunfire) to sustain his defense for months. Thus, when the 162 Infantry Regiment of the 41st Division of the United States Army landed on Biak on May 27, 1944, they did indeed move confidently inland expecting little opposition, until they reached that vital airfield. Then, from the low-lying terrain around them and the ridges above, there fell a terrible storm of shot and shell that pinned them to the ground. It was not until dark that the amphibious tractors were able to extricate them from the trap.

The capture of Biak Island cost the Americans 474 killed, and 2,400 wounded, the Japanese lost 6,100 killed and 450 captured. Thereafter, there was no foolish and furious Banzai by which the Japanese enemy customarily bled itself to death. Biak was a grinding, shot-for-shot battle. Ambush, or delay was repeated at the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Iwo Jima, battle the United States Marines expected to be won within days or a week or so but lasted for months, with staggering losses not only in valuable time but in still more valuable life and equipment.

References

*Eggenberger, D.(ed.) "An Encyclopedia of Battles". Dover Publications inc.,
*Leckie, Robert. "Okinawa: The Last Battle of World War II". Penguin Books USA inc.