 The next operation was MacArthur 's Operation Cartwheel , an advance on the major Japanese base at Rabaul . The Australian Army was tasked with the capture of the Huon Peninsula . Blamey was ordered to again assume personal command of New Guinea Force . His concept , which he developed with Herring and Frank Berryman , who had replaced Vasey as DCGS , was to draw the Japanese forces away from Lae with a demonstration against Salamaua , and then capture Lae with a double envelopment . Blamey remained a devotee of new technology . His plan called for the use of the landing craft of the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade , and he intended to cross the Markham River with the aid of paratroops . Supplies would be brought across the river using DUKWs , a relatively new invention . He also attempted to acquire helicopters , but met resistance from the RAAF , and they were never delivered . MacArthur accepted a number of changes that Blamey made to his strategy , probably the most notable of which was putting the landing on New Britain before Blamey 's attack on Madang . 
