Australian Coastwatchers LEUT A. F. Kyle, DSC, RANVR, and SBLT G. M. W. Benham, DSC, RANVR, were believed executed by the Japanese in New Ireland. The two officers had radioed shipping and aircraft movements, and arranged the evacuation of civilians from the enemy-occupied territory.
The amphibious training base HMAS ASSAULT, (CMDR F. H. Cook, DSC, RAN), was commissioned at Port Stephens, NSW. The base was used for the training of Australian and American forces in amphibious warfare.