This a 241 page report (so will take to download) from the Japanese Perspective. Books from their perspective are relatively rare, and so this is well worth a read Japanese Army Operations in the South Pacific Area: Nrew Britain and Papua Campaign 1942-42 Translator’s introduction Introduction. Chapter 1. Offensive operations against Rabaul and surrounding strategic areas Strategic issues concerning Rabaul Basic preparations for the offensive Geographical description of Rabaul and Allied forces dispositions Operational preparations The offensive The conclusion of fighting Consequences of the capture of Rabaul Chapter 2. The advance to the Solomon Islands and eastern New Guinea Operational plan by Imperial Headquarters Offensive operations in Lae and Salamaua Occupation of strategic areas in the northern Solomon Islands and Admiralty Islands by the 4th Fleet The emergence of an air war of attrition Sea-route invasion of Port Moresby Outline of the naval battle of the Coral Sea Chapter 3. Planning and cancellation of the United States–Australia blockade operation Imperial Headquarters’ conception of stage two operations Preparations for the FS Operation by Imperial Headquarters Formation of the 17th Army Cancellation of the FS Operation Chapter 4. Commencement of the overland-route offensive on Port Moresby Ri Operation Study Transition to the advance by land Formation and dispositions of the 8th Fleet Operations of the 25th Air Flotilla Plans of Imperial Headquarters in early August Chapter 5. Thrust through the Owen Stanley Range and the offensive operations at Rabi Landing at Buna by the main strength of the South Seas Force Thrust through the Owen Stanley Range Offensive operations at Rabi Allied preparations for counter-offensives in New Guinea Retreat of the South Seas Force Leadership by Imperial Headquarters Chapter 6. Retreat to Buna The fighting withdrawal of the South Seas Force The Allied counter-offensive Chapter 7. Commencement of command of the 18th Army The struggle to hold Buna, and its consequences Chapter 8. Withdrawal operations from the Buna area Withdrawal from north and south Giruwa Various issues raised by the withdrawal from Giruwa End of the Buna force Maps Notes
