Cape Gloucester: The Green Inferno

An operational history of the Marine campaign to seize airfields on New Britain, detailing planning, naval and air bombardments, and amphibious assaults across heavy surf and narrow black-sand beaches. It recounts initial landings that met limited organized resistance, the use of smoke screens, and the difficulties posed by dense jungle, swamps, and concealed fortifications. Secondary landings and diversionary operations to disrupt enemy movement are described alongside inland probing and close combat. The account emphasizes combined-arms coordination, logistical and terrain challenges, and the tactical aim of securing airfields to expand allied air operations against a nearby enemy stronghold.