Battle of The Pimple

The Battle of the Pimple was part of the Shaggy Ridge Campaign, a number of battles fought by Australian and Japanese troops in Papua New Guinea in World War II.

By 1943, Australian and US forces had stopped holding on grimly, were regaining momentum, and going on the offensive.

After the 9th Division had secured Finschaffen, the next objective was Shaggy Ridge, a series of high positions held by Japanese infantry, supported with some artillery. The Pimple was one of three rocky outcrops, held by the Japanese on the ridge line. The 2/16th Battalion of the Australian 21st Brigade had been reinforced with hundreds of new troops, after earlier losses. It proceeded up the southern slopes towards The Pimple, with air support. The area was bombarded with a preparatory artillery barrage.

The attack was successful, driving the Japanese off the position on 27 December 1943. Australian troops held it against further counter-attacks, and further attacks were followed up against the other positions.