New Guinea Force
New Guinea Force was a military command unit for Australian, United States and native troops from the Territories of Papua and New Guinea serving in the New Guinea campaign during World War II. Formed in April 1942, when the Australian First Army was formed from the Australian I Corps after it returned from the Middle East, it was responsible for planning and directing all operations within the territory up until October 1944. General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area Operational Instruction No.7 of 25 May 1942, issued by Commander-Allied-Forces, General Douglas MacArthur, placed all Australian and US Army, Air Force and Navy Forces in the Port Moresby Area under the control of New Guinea Force. Over the course of its existence, New Guinea Force was commanded by some of the Australian Army's most notable commanders, including Sydney Rowell, Sir Edmund Herring and Sir Leslie Morshead.
| New Guinea Force | |
|---|---|
An Australian soldier, Private George "Dick" Whittington, is aided by Papuan orderly Raphael Oimbari, near Buna on 25 December 1942. | |
| Active | 1942–1944 |
| Country | Australia |
| Allegiance | Australia / Allied Forces |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Type | Corps |
| Role | I Corps |
| Part of | First Australian Army |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Sir Thomas Blamey Sir Leslie Morshead Sir Edmund Herring |
General Sir Thomas Blamey also commanded the force in 1942 while based in Port Moresby.