Japanese forces continue their advance across the South Pacific by making a bold inland march along New Guinea. The fate of Australia hangs in the balance as the Allies take their own offensive operations to secure the vital base at Port Moresby. Japanese forces landed on the northern shore from the Bismarck Sea, and trekked through the Owen Stanley Mountains in an attempt to surprise the Allied soldiers. The Australians and Americans stopped the Japanese only 30 miles from the southern port city, ending any hopes for the Japanese Empire to conquer Australia.