Most of the Japanese fought to the death but, finally, on Jan 2, 1943, Buna fell. In the terrible heat and drenching rain, the men of the 32nd - many burning with fever - had to reduce Japanese positions one at a time, usually by rushing them with grenades. Fighting in the hot, steamy jungles, the 32nd was desperately short of basic equipment, weapons, medicine and even food. It proved to be one of the most difficult campaigns of the war. The allied forces were to take heavily-fortified Japanese positions at Buna, on New Guinea's southeast coast. Joining the Australians, the 32nd entered combat on Nov. The Red Arrow's 126th Infantry Regiment went by ship the 128th Infantry was airlifted in the first mass troop movement by air in World War II. Elements moved to Port Moresby, New Guinea, in September 1942, in order to halt the Japanese invasion which threatened Australia. Slated to depart for Northern Ireland after World War II began, the division was diverted to the Pacific at the last minute, arriving in Australia in May 1942. The 32nd Infantry Division, known as the "Red Arrow" Division and made up of units from the Michigan and Wisconsin National Guards, was mobilized on Oct. The following link provides a look at many of the events that helped shape today's Michigan National Guard by looking at events that took place on various specific dates throughout the calendar year.Īll units referenced are components of the Michigan Army National Guard or Michigan Air National Guard, unless otherwise specified. Units of the Michigan National Guard and its predecessor organizations played key roles at many crucial points in the history of the state and of the nation. Michigan - The history of the Michigan National Guard pre-dates the creation of the state of Michigan by more than a century.