The Battle for Wau depicts the early WWII conflicts in New Guinea, from the Japanese landing at Salamaua in March 1942 to the defeat at Wau in February 1943. The book covers the early commando operations against Salamaua, the burning of Wau, the clashes around Mubo, the Japanese convoy to Lae and the American air operation to Wau. The story climaxes with the fortitude of Captain Sherlock's outnumbered company at Wau, desperately fighting an enemy regiment debouching from the rugged unguarded ranges to the east, fighting to hold Wau airfield open for the vital reinforcements to arrive. Drawing on the recollections of over seventy veterans from the campaign and a first-hand knowledge of the region, for the first time all aspects are brought together in one volume. The commanders, the soldiers and the airmen are all represented here: Australian, Japanese, American and native personnel.