43rd Inf Division

Genuine WWII shoulder badge of the 43rd Infantry Division.

The 43rd Infantry Division landed in New Zealand on 23 October 1942. The 172nd Infantry Regiment arrived on the island of Espiritu Santo on 26 October. The division moved to Nouméa, New Caledonia, in November and to Guadalcanal on February 17, 1943. The Russell Islands were conquered and occupied without opposition on February 21, and the division's training continued. The elements landed on the islands of Vangunu and Rendova were able to take control of it, suffering minor resistance on June 30. Rendova Island is a major point for the assault on New Georgia Island.

The assault on the island of New Georgia encountered strongly determined enemy resistance. The Japanese fought violently before giving up the town of Munda and its airfield on August 5. The localities of Vela Cela and Baanga were taken easily, but the Japanese resisted stubbornly on the island of Arundel before withdrawing on September 22. After training at Munda, the 43rd moved to Guadalcanal and from there to New Zealand to rest and replenish its strength.

On July 19, 1944, the division, expected to assume defensive positions in the town of Aitape (New Guinea), was engaged in patrols and reconnaissance around the town of Tadji and along the Drinumor River, on July 25, and resumed the offensive on August 8, 1944. Japanese organized resistance ceased on August 25.

On January 9, 1945, the 43rd Division led a landing in the area of ​​the town of San Fabian (Philippines), Lingayen Gulf, and the island of Luzon. Under enemy fire, the division secured the beach head and fought on the Lingayen plain until February 12. The offensive against the enemy resumed north and west of Fort Stotsenburg on February 27. After the end of Japanese resistance in the Zambales Mountains and with the help of the Philippine Commonwelth forces, the 43rd Division rushed south against the Shimbu Line. On May 6, 1945, the attack continued around the city of Bulacan. The Ipo dam was secured and the enemy opposition was broken up in the Ipo region on May 19. The cleaning of the area continued until June 30, 1945. The division left Manila, from September 7 to 13, to take part in the occupation of Japan before leaving it in turn to return to the United States.