The
503d Parachute Infantry was employed in conjunction with the 7th
Australian Division and the 9th Australian Division in an
air-sea and ground offensive against Japanese forces in the Markham
Valley, New Guinea 5 September 1943 to 19 September 1943. The
mission of the 503d Parachute Infantry was to seize the Nadzab E/L
Strip and prepare it for use in landing of Airborne Australian
troops and to close the western inland approaches of the Markham
valley.
5 Sept: The troops are packed
in tightly, 22 men or bundles on each truck - one plane load.
Weather misty. The troops arrived at 0700 hrs. |