General MacArthur looking on as General Rupertus points to the map of New Britain while discussing the landing strategy and battle tactics. USMC Photo.
On December 26, 1943, during WWII in the Pacific, the 1st Marine Division landed on Cape Gloucester to battle the Japanese on the island of New Britain and squeeze the Japanese base at Rabaul. This was codenamed Operation Backhander which was part of the larger Allied strategy, Operation Cartwheel.
(USMC Map)
(Map from National WWII Museum)
This battle was the second campaign for the 1st Marine Division after months of rehabilitating in Australia after the Guadalcanal/Tulagi (that campaign began on August 7, 1942).
Are you interested in learning more about this campaign or particular battle? Here are some resources.
In our book, Old Breed General, this related history begins in chapter 58 and will provide an overview and many photos.
For a deeper dive into this WWII Pacific history, I recommend Cape Gloucester, The Green Inferno by Bernard C. Nalty, and, The Campaign on New Britain by Hough and Crowne, published by the USMC Historical Division. The Campaign on New Britain is quite detailed and has some excellent maps.
If you saw the Pacific mini series that came out in 2010, you will remember the Battle of Cape Gloucester, because it was wet-monsoon wet! Nevertheless, thankfully, they did have some sun later on from the photos and videos we found.
You can see the videos from Cape Gloucester (and more) on General Rupertus’s YouTube channel.
Our grandfather, Marine Major General Rupertus, commanded this battle and discussed it in an interview in 1944. You can listen to this nine-minute audio we found through the National Archives. Note it stops in the middle, then continues.
In this short audio recording, Rupertus discusses amphibious warfare, which is relevant today now that our Marines are training in the Pacific.
This history is so compelling. The bravery and sacrifice across the vast Pacific. Here is a 2 min interview he did about the Marines and overall battle in the Pacific against a determined enemy.
Semper Fi.
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Amazing.