The Battle of Bita Paka marked one of Australia's first military actions in World War I, as Australian forces sought to seize control of German New Guinea. Following Britain’s declaration of war against Germany in August 1914, Australia was eager to demonstrate its loyalty to the Empire. The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) was sent to take control of German territories in the Pacific, particularly aiming to capture the strategically important port of Rabaul. The invasion commenced on September 11, 1914, with Australian troops being landed near Bita Paka, a village close to Rabaul. The contingent faced a garrison comprised of about 200 German soldiers and local auxiliaries.The Australian forces, numbering around 1,500, utilized a combination of naval bombardment and ground assault to attack the German positions. Due to the relatively small and ill-prepared German defense, the Australians were able to secure a swift victory. The battle was characterized by rapid advances and overwhelming firepower on the part of the Australians, leading to the capture of the German base without suffering significant casualties. By securing Bita Paka and subsequently Rabaul, Australia asserted its presence in the Pacific and laid the groundwork for its role throughout the remainder of the war in the region.