Bena Force

Bena Force was an Australian army unit formed on 22 January 1943 during World War II to defend the Bena Bena-Mount Hagen plateau south of the Ramu RiverWhere is this? from being occupied by the Imperial Japanese. The force undertook defence and maintenance of the airfields, tracks and roads in the area and undertook reconnaissance and long range patrols.

History
On 23 January 1943, under instructions from New Guinea Force, the 6th Division dispatched a small force, known as Bena Force, from Port Moresby by air in six Douglas C-47's to the airfield at Bena Bena. The force consisted of 57 men of the 2/7th Battalion led by Lieutenant Rooke.

Under the command of Kanga Force, the objectives were; to secure Bena Bena airfield against enemy attack; to deny the enemy freedom of movement in the Bena Bena Valley; to harass and delay any enemy movement in the area between Bena Bena and Ramu River. Bena Force was also made responsible for the small Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) detachment under Captain John Black, a detachment of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Rescue and Communication Flight and special operations operating out of Bena Bena.

The 2/7th Independent Company was flown to Bena Bena on 29 May 1943 to augment the force after the Japanese launched strong air attacks on Bena Bena. As such the depleted 2/7th Independent Company was sent to Bena, under the command of Major MacAdie, bringing the garrison up to roughly four hundred men. During June and July, observation posts were established in the region, patrols were sent out and infrastructure was built with the help of labour supplied by the ANGAU. Later, during August and September, as attacks increased on the garrison, the 2/2nd Independent Company arrived to reinforce Bena Force and patrols were sent out through the Ramu Valley in order to observe the main approaches to Bena Bena.