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US landing at Finschaffen, 1943 - New Guinea

Artist Robert Emerson Curtis (1898 - 1986)

Date1943

Object number00017886

NameDrawing

MediumCrayon, paper

DimensionsOverall: 314 x 442 mm, 100 g

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

Papua New Guinea

DescriptionThis drawing depicts a group of US troops disembarking from a naval vessel carrying cargo at Finschaffen (Finschhafen), New Guinea. Of the image, artist Robert Emerson Curtis wrote: 'I was dropped off nearby in a faulty transport aircraft - to discover this scene of activity, I sketched it and earned a welcome bed by the Yankees landing party'HistoryThe Pacific War initially began as a conflict between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan on 7 July 1937. By 1941 the conflict had become part of the greater World War II, with the Allied powers joining China in the war against Japan. The Japanese achieved a series of swift victories, and by early 1942 most of south-east Asia and parts of the Pacific had been occupied. The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 saw America officially enter the conflict. The United States forces played a dominant role in the war with Japan, particularly in the south-west Pacific region. On 23 January 1942, Japan captured Rabaul, the capital of the Australian-controlled territory of New Guinea, which marked the beginning of Allied and Japanese fighting in New Guinea. With the fall of Singapore and bombing of Darwin in February 1942, the Australian mainland was under increasing threat from Japanese invasion. By March, Japan had occupied Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies prompting Australia to recall troops from the Mediterranean, and the United States joined in the defence of Australia with equipment and troops. Australian and United States troops were engaged in mainly land battles in New Guinea, beginning in 1942 and continuing in some parts of New Guinea until 1945. After the Australian and American troops succeeded in capturing Buna - an important Japanese base in northern Papua - in January 1943, the Allied forces continued up the coast of Papua and New Guinea. In October 1943, Finschhafen was captured and became a major Allied base. Ports were installed at Finsch Harbour, Langemak Bay, and Dreger Harbour. The first United States cargo ship arrived at Finschhafen in December, and by July 1944 there were docks for 12. SignificanceThis drawing illustrates the landing of the first United States cargo ships at Finschhafen, New Guinea, having been recently captured by Allied troops in December 1943.