Australian troops who battled through malaria-ridden swamps, thick jungle and endless rain are being commemorated eight decades on from their landmark military success.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the World War II battle of Milne Bay where Australian soldiers led the defeat of advancing Japanese forces.
Fought from August 25 to September 7, 1942, almost 9000 allied troops, mostly Australian, decisively defeated Japanese land forces advancing in Papua New Guinea, then an Australian-administered territory.
The Japanese not only underestimated the number of troops they would face but also landed 11 kilometres from the area they had intended.
The battle resulted in 373 Australian casualties and 167 deaths.
But Japanese casualties were far greater, with only just over 1300 of their 2800 troops eventually evacuated.
Following the Japanese retreat, advancing allied troops captured their abandoned equipment which provided valuable military intelligence.
The win was a major landmark in World War II, Australian War Memorial senior historian Lachlan Grant said.
"It was some of the worst conditions faced by Australian forces in the Second World War," he said.
"Milne Bay was a key turning point in the Pacific war, where the Australian forces repelled the Japanese invasion force in one of their first defeats on land."
The memorial is developing an exhibition on Milne Bay as part of its ongoing development.
It will bring together iconic objects from the battle including a fighter aircraft and tank, Dr Grant said.
"Through these large objects we are able to interpret and tell the stories of individual Australian and Japanese soldiers and airmen who served at Milne Bay," he said.
Despite its historical importance as a clear victory, the Milne Bay battle has never gained the iconic status of the Kokoda campaign, which was occurring simultaneously.
A last post ceremony at the memorial in Canberra will commemorate the anniversary of the Milne Bay campaign.
