It was more powerful than the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, and buried Long Island under 30 metres (98 ft) of volcanic ash.

The initiative passed to Lieutenant General Hatazō Adachi's Japanese XVIII Army which launched a series of counter-attacks in the Battle of Finschhafen.

[5] The Allied air, ground and naval forces set out to cut the Japanese supply line, which was by barges moving along the coast between Madang and Fortification Point.

[6] Long Island was an important staging point for Japanese barges moving between Rabaul and Madang.

[8] On 22 December 1943, the commander of Alamo Force, Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, issued his Field Order No.

[10] A party of coastwatchers consisting of three Australians from the Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB) and four natives, were landed on Long Island by a PT boat on 6 October 1943.

[13] Meanwhile, on 22 December the participating elements of the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade set out from Oro Bay for Finschhafen, from whence the assault would be staged.

[15] The LCMs and LCVPs set out on the 105-mile (169 km) voyage from Finschhafen at 14:15,[12][16] and made its way along the coast in broad daylight without being engaged by Japanese aircraft or vessels.

They arrived off Malala at 23:45, a quarter of an hour late; but this was of no consequence as there was no preliminary air or naval bombardment owing to there being no Japanese present.

Some 100 measurement tons (110 m3) of equipment were unloaded by 13:00, and the navigation boat LCVP and five LCMs set sail for Finschhafen.

[16] The following night rains caused Lake Wisdom to overflow and the equipment was subjected to a torrent of fresh water.

[16] The radar station personnel had considerable difficulty keeping the equipment operational in the hot, wet and humid climate, and there were numerous failures.

By April 1944, the Allies had advanced along the coast to Madang, and the main Japanese air threat was coming from Wewak.

[8] The garrison was for a time the most advanced Allied position in the theatre, and Brigadier General William F. Heavey, the commander of the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade, of which the 592nd EBSR was part, was surprised when its capture was officially announced in December 1943.

Rumours were rife among the garrison that the Japanese might attempt to recapture the island and eliminate the radar station.

On 17 February 1944, the 592nd EBSR Group departed Long Island in an LCVP and seven LCMs of the Boat Battalion.

Krueger praised the 592nd EBSR Group, who "by a display of aggressiveness and superior seamanship, accomplished its mission in the face of unusual odds.