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| Biak Island, marked by a red dot As the Americans dominated the Pacific by May 1944, one island remained in General MacArthur's way for his return to the Philippines. That island was Biak Island, and proved to be one of the more hard-fought engagement in the Western New Guinea campaign during World War II. Located north of Papua New Guinea, Allied planners viewed Biak as a strategic stepping stone -- the island already had three airfields—Mokmer, Borokoe, and Sorido—suitable for long-range aircraft. Allied intelligence also estimated that the island was defended by about 4000 Japanese soldiers. This island would be assaulted by the American Infantry Regiments while the Australians would provide artillery support. In reality, the Japanese defenders under Colonel Naoyuki Kuzume numbered about 11000. Having learnt their lessons from Tarawa, the Japanese prepared a sophisticated defense using Biak's rugged coral limestone terrain. They created a network of natural and improved caves (including large systems like the "West Caves," "East Caves," and "Sump" areas) along ridges and cliffs overlooking the coastal plain and airfields. These positions featured interconnected tunnels, machine-gun nests, mortars, artillery, and supplies, allowing defenders to emerge for ambushes and retreat underground. This "cave warfare" tactic foreshadowed later brutal fights on Peleliu and Okinawa. |
The initial battle
On 27 May 1944, about 12000 Americans landed on the south coast of Biak at Bosnik. They faced light opposition from the Japanese (other than a troublesome cannon at Mokmer) and quickly established a beachhead. Some American officers thought that the Japanese had abandoned the island and quickly pushed for their men to take the east coast the next day. Meanwhile the Japanese navy launched Operation Kon, an attempt to supply the defenders from sea. The estimated arrival was 3 June but Japanese intelligence wrongly detected Allied carriers in the region and aborted the resupply. The Japanese defenders for now were on their own.
On 27 May 1944, about 12000 Americans landed on the south coast of Biak at Bosnik. They faced light opposition from the Japanese (other than a troublesome cannon at Mokmer) and quickly established a beachhead. Some American officers thought that the Japanese had abandoned the island and quickly pushed for their men to take the east coast the next day. Meanwhile the Japanese navy launched Operation Kon, an attempt to supply the defenders from sea. The estimated arrival was 3 June but Japanese intelligence wrongly detected Allied carriers in the region and aborted the resupply. The Japanese defenders for now were on their own.
On 28 May 1944, the Americans moved westwards towards Mokmer and were ambushed by the Japanese from the overlooking ridges. A flank was attempted by the Americans at Parai, but the Japanese defences were strong there too. Eventually, the Americans retreated behind Parai at 1900. The Americans regrouped and finally captured Mokmer and its airfield by 7 June 1944.
With the fall of Mokmer, the Colonel Kuzume relocated his forces westwards and reinforced the West Caves. There a battle of attrition would occur. The Japanese had stockpiled supplies while the Americans lacked fresh water. In ordered to be resupplied, the Americans started building airstrips at Mokmer but faced harassment from the West Caves. Furthermore, the second iteration of Operation Kon managed to land about 100 Japanese soldiers with supplies on Biak.
Major General Horace Fuller knew that he had to clear the West Caves in order to secure the island. Thus he ordered an alternative airfield at Owi on 9 June and orderd an assault westward of Mokmer (on 11 June) to relive the attacks.
West Caves
After facing stiff resistance from the Japanese, the Americans finally reached the periphery of the West Caves on 14 June. This progress was considered too slow for General MacArthur so he replaced Fuller with General Robert Eichelberger. With this slow progress, about 1,200 Japanese soldiers arrived from surrounding to reinforce Biak.
After facing stiff resistance from the Japanese, the Americans finally reached the periphery of the West Caves on 14 June. This progress was considered too slow for General MacArthur so he replaced Fuller with General Robert Eichelberger. With this slow progress, about 1,200 Japanese soldiers arrived from surrounding to reinforce Biak.
The new general was more aggressive and resumed the attack on 16 June. By 19 June they managed to surround the West Caves. The Japanese attempted a breakout on 21 and 22 June but the Americans held firm. Colonel Kuzume was believed to have commited riutal suicide during this period. The Americans finally captured the West Caves with liberal use of fire and gasoline. This allowed them to finally finish constructing of the Mokmer Airfield unhindered.
Borokoe and Sorido airfields were occupied in the meantime. The American overall objectives were complete. However, eastern Biak remained in Japanese control.
East Caves
During this period, a minority of the American forces moved eastwards and fought the Japanese in the East Caves. On 3 July, General Eichelberger relocated some troops from Mokmer to support the advance eastwards. By 10 July it was repported that the Japanese were much reduced and by 22 July the Japanese could not mount an organized resistance anymore.
By 2 August the Americans captured the northern coast and finally declared Biak secured by 20 August.
Casualties
The battle of Biak was the first time the Japanese had not contested an island landing, and allowed the Americans to move in first. This allowed the Japanese to form kill zones from the interior of the island, resulting in heavy casualties. While the Allies suffered 438 dead and over 2000 wounded, more than 7000 soldiers suffered from tropical diseases (mainly scrub typhus).
The battle of Biak was the first time the Japanese had not contested an island landing, and allowed the Americans to move in first. This allowed the Japanese to form kill zones from the interior of the island, resulting in heavy casualties. While the Allies suffered 438 dead and over 2000 wounded, more than 7000 soldiers suffered from tropical diseases (mainly scrub typhus).
The Japanese suffered about 4000 to 6000 dead, with another 4000 unaccounted for. It was one of the few times that the Japanese scored an almost 1:1 casualty ratio with the Americans. The Japanese commanders would later replicate similar defence strategies at Peleliu, Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
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