25 December 1942

A violent Christmas Day in the swamps and creeks at Buna as the fighting continues unabated and the Allied troops try to root out the remaining Japanese fortifications.

Japanese bombers from Rabaul launch a heavy bombardment on the Allied positions at Buna, aiming to demoralise them on their holy day.

While padres hold jungle services in the rear, the slaughter continues without pause on the front lines. In many places the fighting and bombing intensifies on this sacred day.

Safe in Port Moresby, Gen Blamey and his staff feast on a huge turkey, while Gen Eichelberger reports to MacArthur: “I think the low point of my life occurred yesterday.”