Battle of Noemfoor

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Noemfoor
partof=World War II, Pacific War


caption=Noemfoor, July 12 1944. A US soldier points out the direction in which Japanese troops have retreated, to a comrade using a walkie-talkie. (Photographer: Allan F. Anderson.)
date=July 2–August 31 1944
place=Dutch New Guinea
result=Decisive Allied victory
combatant1=flag|United States|1912
flag|Australia
flag|Netherlands
combatant2=flag|Empire of Japan
commander1=
(land)
(naval)
(air)
commander2=

strength1=10,000
strength2=2,000 (US estimates)
casualties1=66 killed/missing;
343 wounded
casualties2=~1,714 killed;
186 prisonersCampaignbox Western New Guinea The Battle of Noemfoor was a battle of World War II that took place on the island of Noemfoor, in Dutch New Guinea, between July 2 and August 31 1944. United States and Australian forces attacked to capture Japanese bases on the island.

Background

Noemfoor is an elliptical, almost circular shape. It is approximately convert|11|mi|km|abbr=off in diameter and encircled by coral reefs.cite book
last = Gill
first = G. Hermon
series = Australia in the War of 1939–1945
title = Royal Australian Navy, 1942–1945" (1st edition)
origyear = 1968
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
date =
publisher = Australian War Memorial
location = Canberra
isbn =
pages = 442
chapter = Chapter 14—The Assault Armadas Strike
chapterurl = http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/25/chapters/14.pdf
quote =
ref = ] Citation
date = 1944-07-08
title = Last Noemfoor Air Base Seized
publisher = Chicago Daily Tribune
ISBN =
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=searchera&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B462465422&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B462465422
accessdate = 2007-12-26] cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Approach/USA-P-Approach-17.html
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 397
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl = http://ftp1.us.proftpd.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Approach/USA-P-Approach-17.html
quote =
ref = ] The landscape is dominated by limestone and coral terraces, topped by a convert|670|ft|m tall hill, which is covered by tropical rainforest, like much of the interior. [Citation
date = 1944-07-04
title = Doughboys Land on Numfor, Swiftly Win Main Airfield
last = Kluckhohn
first = Frank L.
publisher = New York Times
ISBN =
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=searchera&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B86869165&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B86869165
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Noemfoor lies just north of Cenderawasih Bay (Geelvink Bay), between the island of Biak and the east coast of the Doberai Peninsula (Vogelkop/Bird's Head Peninsula), on mainland New Guinea.

The island was occupied by Japanese forces in December 1943.cite web
url = http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/irian_noemfor.html
title = Noemfoor (Noemfoer) Island
accessdate = 2007-12-26
publisher = Pacific Wreck Database ] The indigenous civilian population numbered about 5,000 people, most of whom lived a subsistence lifestyle in coastal villages. cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 400
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] Citation
date = 1944-07-20
title = Japanese Forced Into Hills in New Guinea; Try Flanking Move to Escape Aitape Trap
publisher = The New York Times
ISBN = 1504769
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=searchera&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B86873468&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B86873468
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

The island was also hosting about 1,100 laborers taken to Noemfoor by the Japanese: a 600-strong Formosan (Taiwanese) auxiliary labor unit and 500 Indonesian civilian forced laborers. According to the official US Army history, over 3,000 Indonesian men, women, and children were shipped to Noemfoor by the Japanese military. cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 421-2
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] Most came from Soerabaja (Surabaya) and other large cities on Java. These Javanese civilians were forced to construct roads and airfields, mostly by hand. Little food, clothing, shelter or medical attention were provided. Many attempted to steal Japanese supplies, and were executed. Others died from starvation and preventable disease. Survivors also alleged that sick Javanese were buried alive. The Formosan labor troops had originally numbered about 900 men. cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 421-2
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] They had also worked on airfield and road construction, on half the ration of rice issued to regular Japanese troops. When they became ill from exhaustion, hunger, or tropical diseases, they were put in a convalescent camp. In the words of the US official history: "There, their rations were again cut in half, and the shelter and blankets provided covered but a fraction of the inmates. Medical care was given only to the worse cases, and then was inadequate."

The Japanese built three airfields on the island, turning it into a significant air base.
*Kornasoren Airfield/Yebrurro Airfield, located toward the northern end of the island
*Kamiri Airfield, on the northwestern edge of the island
*Namber Airfield, on the west coast of the island.

Bombing of the island by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) began as early as April 1944.cite web
url = http://www.pacificwrecks.com/airfields/indonesia/kornasoren/missions-noemfoor.html
title = American Missions Against Noemfoor Island [General References]
accessdate = 2007-12-26
publisher = Pacific Wreck Database ]

Noemfoor was also used as a staging area for Japanese troops moving to reinforce Biak, which was invaded by the Allies in May 1944. Japanese barges could travel from Manokwari to Noemfoor, about convert|60|nmi|km|abbr=off, during one night. Japanese forces on Biak had been defeated by June 20.

In describing his preparations for the Western New Guinea campaign, General Douglas MacArthur wrote in his memoirs that: " [t] he Hollandia Invasion initiated a marked change in the tempo of my advance westward. Subsequent assaults against Wakde, Biak, Noemfoor, and Sansapor were mounted in quick succession, and, in contrast to previous campaigns, I planned no attempt to complete all phases of one operation before moving on to the next objective." [Citation
date = 1964-09-18
title = Bayonets Westward
publisher = Chicago Tribune
ISBN =
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=search&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B578120602&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B578120602
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Ultimately, Noemfoor was selected for invasion for four reasons:cite book
last = Odgers
first = George
series = Australia in the War of 1939–1945
title = Air War Against Japan, 1943–1945"
origyear = 1957
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-31
edition =
date = 1968 reprint
publisher = Australian War Memorial
location = Canberra
isbn =
pages = 236-7
chapter = Chapter 15—To Noemfoor and Morotai
chapterurl = http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/27/chapters/15.pdf
quote =
ref = ]
* Allied commanders believed that Japanese troops equivalent to less than one battalion would be based there;
* the Allies were already experiencing a shortage of amphibious vessels and Noemfoor could be seized without large-scale operations;
* it also had the greatest number of useful airfields in the smallest area and;
* Japanese air defences in western New Guinea were almost negligible. (At the end of June, RAAF HQ reported that although the Namber and Kamiri airfields were serviceable, they were barely being used and "a possibly generous" estimate suggested that only 19 Japanese bombers and 37 fighters remained in New Guinea.)

Forces

MacArthur selected the 158th Regimental Combat Team, primarily units from the Arizona National Guard, United States Army, commanded by Major General Edwin D. Patrick, to assault the island in Operation Cyclone, from July 2. [ Citation
date = 1968-02-18
title = Gen. Hanford MacNider Dies; Hero of 2 World Wars Was 78
publisher = The New York Times
ISBN = 1518594
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=search&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B89321914&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B89321914
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

In mid-June, No. 10 Operational Group RAAF, under Air Commodore Frederick Scherger, was designated the controlling Allied air force unit for Operation Cyclone.cite book
last = Odgers
first = George
series = Australia in the War of 1939–1945
title = Air War Against Japan, 1943–1945"
origyear = 1957
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-31
edition =
date = 1968 reprint
publisher = Australian War Memorial
location = Canberra
isbn =
pages = 237
chapter = Chapter 15—To Noemfoor and Morotai
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] The USAAF units attached to 10 OG for the invasion comprised: the 58th and 348th Fighter Groups and the 307th, 309th and 417th Bombardment Groups.

The 8,000-strong invasion force — composed primarily of the 158th RCT and No. 62 Works Wing RAAF [ Later known as No. 62 (Airfield Construction) Wing.] — was known as Cyclone Task Force. A 40-strong contingent of Dutch civil administration personnel was also included.

Facing them were approximately 2,000 Japanese troops, mostly from the 219th Infantry Regiment as well as some from the 222nd Infantry Regiment, who had been in transit to Biak. The garrison was commanded by Colonel Suesada Shimizu, also CO of the 219th Regiment.

At the beginning of July 1944, various kinds of Japanese aircraft were at the Noemfoor airfields.cite web
url = http://www.pacificwrecks.com/airfields/indonesia/wakde/wakde-history.html
title = Japanese Operations at Wakde Island Aerodrome
accessdate = 2008-02-03
publisher = Pacific Wreck Database ] It appears that elements of "61° Hiko Sentai" ("No. 61 Air Group"/"61st Flying Regiment") in particular, flying Mitsubishi Ki-21 ("Sally") bombers, were based at Kamiri. (However, Japanese aircraft played no significant role in the ensuing battle; see below.)

Invasion

Japanese positions on Noemfoor.cite book
last = Gill
first = G. Hermon
series = Australia in the War of 1939–1945
title = Royal Australian Navy, 1942–1945" (1st edition)
origyear = 1968
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
date =
publisher = Australian War Memorial
location = Canberra
isbn =
pages = 443
chapter = Chapter 14—The Assault Armadas Strike
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] TF 74 was commanded for the first time by Commodore John Collins, making him the first graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College to command a naval squadron in action.cite book
last = Gill
first = G. Hermon
series = Australia in the War of 1939–1945
title = Royal Australian Navy, 1942–1945" (1st edition)
origyear = 1968
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
date =
publisher = Australian War Memorial
location = Canberra
isbn =
pages = 441
chapter = Chapter 14—The Assault Armadas Strike
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ]

At 8.00 am,cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 408
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] the 158th RCT was taken to the beach by Task Force 77, made up of LCMs and LCTs under R.Adm. William Fechteler.cite book
last = Gill
first = G. Hermon
series = Australia in the War of 1939–1945
title = Royal Australian Navy, 1942–1945" (1st edition)
origyear = 1968
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
date =
publisher = Australian War Memorial
location = Canberra
isbn =
pages = 442-3
chapter = Chapter 14—The Assault Armadas Strike
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] The initial landings were near Kamiri airfield, on the northwest edge of the island. Although the island is surrounded by "an almost solid ring" of coral, newspapers reported "almost no loss" of troops before reaching the shore.Citation
date = 1944-07-04
title = MacArthur Invades New Isle Off Guinea, Takes Air Field
last = Veysey
first = Arthur
publisher = Chicago Daily Tribune
ISBN = 6033662
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=searchera&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B462456352&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B462456352
accessdate = 2007-12-26]

Although there were extensive Japanese defensive preparations in the Kamiri area,cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 411
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] there was little resistance at Kamiri Airfield. In the words of the US Navy official history: "Japanese encountered around the airfield were so stunned from the effects of the bombardment that all the fight was taken out of them." [cite book
last = Morison
first = Samuel Eliot
title = History of United States Naval Operations in World War II
origyear =
url = http://books.google.com/books?id=R-KfgdHvv88C
accessdate = 2008-01-22
accessyear =
accessmonth =
edition =
series = Volume Eight
year = 2002
publisher = University of Illinois Press
location =
pages = 138
chapter = New Guinea and the Marianas, March 1944 - August 1944
chapterurl = ] Kamiri was captured within hours of the landing. Reports indicated that approximately 45 Japanese soldiers were killed, and about 30 Japanese planes captured, although all of these were damaged as a result of the earlier bombardment and bombing.

The following day, as a precaution against Japanese resistance elsewhere, the 2,000 paratroopers of the US 503rd Parachute Regiment were dropped onto the island.cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 412
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ]

The second base captured by US forces, Yebrurro airstrip was secured by July 4. That same day, the first elements of No. 10 Operational Group arrived on Noemfoor.cite book
last = Odgers
first = George
series = Australia in the War of 1939–1945
title = Air War Against Japan, 1943–1945"
origyear = 1957
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-31
edition =
date = 1968 reprint
publisher = Australian War Memorial
location = Canberra
isbn =
pages = 239
chapter = Chapter 15—To Noemfoor and Morotai
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] There were no Japanese air attacks until the night of 4 July, when a light bomber dropped three bombs near Kamiri, without effect. A few days later, four single-engined fighters dropped about 40 incendiary bombs, causing some damage to Allied materiel.

On July 5, there was an unsuccessful counter-attack by Japanese ground forces. That same day, a detachment of US forces from Noemfoor also secured the smaller neighboring island of Manim.Citation
date = 1944-07-07
title = Yanks Occupy Isle Flanking Noemfoor Japs
publisher = Chicago Daily Tribune
ISBN = 6033692
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=searchera&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B462463342&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B462463342
accessdate = 2007-12-26] Namber Airfield came under Allied control, without resistance, on July 6. The island was officially declared secure on July 7.cite web
url = http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=48
title = WW2DB: New Guinea Campaign
accessdate = 2007-12-26
last = Chen
first = Peter C.
publisher = World War II Database] However, individual Japanese soldiers continued guerrilla activities, and it was August 31 before all fighting had ceased.

Casualties

On July 9, "The New York Times" put the total number of Japanese killed at 871 and those captured at 24, and stated that 144 Javanese forced laborers, held by the Japanese had been freed.Citation
date = 1944-07-09
title = "Very Light" Losses Suffered At Numfor
publisher = The New York Times
ISBN = 1508663
url = http://hn.bigchalk.com/hnweb/hn/do/document?set=searchera&start=1&rendition=x-article-image&inmylist=false&urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-article-image%3B87457945&mylisturn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3BPQDOC%3BHNP%3BPQD%3BHNP%3BPROD%3Bx-citation%3B87457945
accessdate = 2007-12-26] American losses were categorized as "very light."

By August 31, Cyclone Task Force had lost 66 killed or missing and 343 wounded. It had killed approximately 1,714 Japanese and taken 186 prisoners.

According to the US Army official history, only 403 of the original 3,000 Javanese civilian laborers were alive by August 31. cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 421-2
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] About 10-15 were reported to have been killed accidentally by Allied forces. The rest had died from maltreatment before the invasion.

About 300 Formosan labor troops had died before the invasion. Others fought the Allies, allegedly as a result of Japanese coercion. Over 550 surrendered; more than half of these were suffering from starvation and tropical diseases. Less than 20 were reported killed by Allied action.

According to the US Army historian, Allied personnel found evidence that human bodies, of Japanese, Formosan and Allied personnel, had been partly eaten by starving Japanese and Formosans.

Aftermath

Allied airfield repair and construction work by the RAAF and US Army Engineers began on July 2.cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 422
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ]

On the afternoon of July 6, before the formal cessation of hostilities on the ground, an RAAF P-40 fighter squadron had landed at Kamiri, supporting operations on Noemfoor and becoming the first of many Allied air force units to be based there.

Namber Airfield was assessed as too rough and badly graded to be effectively used by Allied aircraft.cite book
last = Smith
origdate =
first = Robert Ross
title = United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific; The Approach to the Philippines
origyear = 1953
origmonth =
url =
accessdate = 2008-01-22
edition =
series = Chapter XVII
date =
publisher = Center Of Military History, United States Army
location = Washington, D.C.
pages = 423
chapter = Operations on Noemfoor Island
chapterurl =
quote =
ref = ] It was abandoned in favor of expansion and improvements at Kornasoren. On July 25, a USAAF P-38 fighter group was able to land there. By September 2, two parallel convert|7000|ft|m|abbr=on|lk=off runways had been completed; soon afterwards, B-24 heavy bombers began operating from Kornasoren Airfield, against Japanese petroleum facilities at Balikpapan, Borneo.

Allied aircraft based on Noemfoor played an important role in the battles of Sansapor and Morotai.

References