Battle of The Pimple

Battle of The Pimple
Part of World War II, Pacific War
Troops from the 2/16th Infantry Battalion after the battle
Date 27–28 December 1943 Location Finisterre Range, Territory of New Guinea Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Australia	Imperial Japan
Commanders and leaders
George Vasey Garth Symington	Masutaro Nakai
Units involved
2/16th Infantry Battalion	78th Infantry Regiment
Casualties and losses
3 killed, 8 wounded	28 killed

The Battle of the Pimple was part of the Markham and Ramu Valley – Finisterre Range campaign, which consisted of a number of battles fought by Australian and Japanese troops in Papua New Guinea in World War II. Fought on 27 and 28 December 1943, the battle took place as the Australians advanced towards the Japanese strong hold around Shaggy Ridge, and was a preliminary phase in their eventual capture of that position in January 1944. Supported by artillery, mortars, machine guns and fighter-bomber aircraft, the assault was made across a narrow frontage, which was usually not much wider than a single section. Two companies of Australian infantry were committed to the attack, with one securing the initial crest, while the other exploited the position and secured several other smaller features throughout the two days of fighting. In the aftermath, Japanese artillery harassed the Australians holding the position, and subjected them to several counter-attacks, which were eventually defeated.