Army Documentary film on the campaigns against Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea from 1942 to 1944.

Major General R H Dewing introduces the film, giving a brief overview of the initial stages of the conflict in the Far East, describing Japanese successes against British, Australian, American and Dutch forces in the Pacific and south-east Asia. He explains that it is important to know the enemy, and to know why the war is necessary, before a narrator takes up the story. Original footage is used to illustrate the difficulties faced by Allied soldiers as they advanced through dense jungle and along narrow muddy tracks, supplied by air where possible. After a brief look at the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, when the US Navy prevented the Japanese from landing and taking Port Moresby, the scene returns to the land battle. Australian soldiers using light tanks attack and destroy Japanese bunkers and take some prisoners, mostly Koreans. The next objective is Wau, where an airstrip, which can then be used for further reinforcement, is captured. B25 and Beaufighter aircraft attack a convoy of Japanese ships on its way to reinforce Lae, sinking all ships involved. The Beaufighters are then shown strafing survivors in the water. On land the advance continues, with the help of native people as porters; the importance of jungle hygiene is stressed, with particular reference to the men's feet. The Allied offensive continues with landings at Salamaua, including scenes of infantry destroying bunkers and several shots of dead Japanese soldiers. As the Japanese retreat to Lae the Australian 7th and 9th Divisions follow, dropping men by parachute to take an airstrip and flying in men and equipment by DC3 transport aircraft. The attack continues through the Marlcham-Ramu Valleys and on to Finschhafen, which is attacked by the 9th Division from the sea. Once Finschhafen is captured the engineers construct an extensive complex of roads, airstrips and buildings from which the reconquest of Papua New Guinea can continue.