41st Division Aboard A Dukw Heading For Biak, June 8, 1944


Background: At the end of May, 1944, the 162nd and 186th Infantry Regiments landed at Biak Island off the northwest coast of New Guinea. Once again, a major airfield was the division's objective. But as the Oregonians pushed toward Mokmer Airdrome, they encountered heavy resistance. The Japanese were well concealed and dug in. They used volcanic caves as fighting positions. Supported by artillery and tanks, they stopped the 41st Division cold. The Japanese 22nd Infantry Regiment countered attacked 3-162 and managed to surround it. The Volunteers of 3-162 held off three battalion-sized assaults that were well-supported by tanks and artillery. The fighting at times raged hand-to-hand and both sides fixed bayonets. The 3-162 held, but the casualty list was depressingly long. Source: http://www.theunawriterslair.com/photos/41st_division_in_world_wa/index.html

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