This is an order of battle listing the Allied and Japanese forces involved in the Battle of Arawe from 15 December 1943 to 24 February 1944.
Allies
Ground forces Director Task ForceRottman (2009), p. 24 112th Cavalry Regimental Combat Team 112th Cavalry Regiment 148th Field Artillery Battalion (12 x 105mm M2A1 howitzers) 59th Engineer Company (Combat) 236th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Searchlight) less elements two batteries of the 470th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Automatic Weapons) A Company, 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion USMC detachment, 26th Quartermaster War Dog Platoon. B Company, 1st Tank Battalion USMC (arrived 12 January)Shaw and Kane (1963), p. 392 Engineer, medical, ordnance and other support unitsMiller (1959), p. 277 2nd Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment (force reserve) G Company (arrived about 18 December)Miller (1959), p. 288 F Company (arrived about 10 January)Miller (1959), p. 289
Naval forces Task Force 74.1 (covering force) Rear Admiral Victor Crutchley Cruisers (flagship)
Destroyers
Task Force 76 DestroyersGill (1968), p. 338 (flagship)
Transport group Morison (1958), p. 374
two patrol craft two submarine chasers Service group three LSTs three tug boats
Elements, Boat Battalion, 592nd Engineer Boat and Short Regiment, 2nd Engineer Special Brigade (17 x LCVP, 9 x LCM, 2 rocket-firing DUKWs, 1 x repair and salvage boat)Miller (1959), pp. 283–284Shaw and Kane (1963), p. 336 Beach Party Number 1Barbey (1969), pp. 103–104
Japan
Ground forces Merkus Garrison (withdrew after the Allied landing) Two provisional companies drawn from the 51st Division.Shaw and Kane (1963), pp. 339–340 Komori Force 1st Battalion, 81st Infantry Regiment (headquarters, two rifle companies, one machine gun platoon only, arrived 25 December)Shaw and Kane (1963), pp. 327–328 and 343 Company, 54th Infantry RegimentMiller (1959), p. 280 Engineers 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment (arrived 29 December)Shaw and Kane (1963), p. 391 Detachments from other units were also assigned to the Arawe area
Naval forces Southeast Area Fleet / 25th Air Flotilla (sub-unit of 11th Air Fleet) 201 Air Group (Lakunai Airfield, Rabaul)Hata (2011), p. 65 204 Air Group (Lakunai) 253 Air Group (Tobera Airfield, Rabaul)Hata (2011), p. 66 2nd Air Flotilla (sub-unit of 1st Air Fleet) Hiyō fighter group (Kavieng/Lakunai)Hata (2011), pp. 66–68 Ryūhō fighter group (Kavieng/Lakunai) Jun'yō fighter group (Lakunai)Hata (2011), p. 68
Notes
References