Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operations in, around and above New Guinea in 1943 were in many ways impressive. Australian aircrews contributed to the important Allied victory in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. The RAAF shot down more Japanese aircraft on 14 April 1943 than on any other day of the war. It was also able to launch its largest ever raids in that year. Flight Lieutenant Bill Newton won a Victoria Cross (VC) for his inspirational bravery in operations on the Salamaua front. Given the great feats of No. 1 Fighter Wing over Darwin at the same time, 1943 was one of the high points for the RAAF. Nevertheless, a dark cloud hovered above it, for throughout 1943 the RAAF was becoming ever more marginal to the Pacific War's main effort, was tearing itself apart at the top and, as in the case of its sole VC winner, was losing lives.

The battle of Wau symbolised the delicate balance of power in New Guinea early in 1943 and the significance of airpower in that balance. Both the Japanese and Allies wanted Wau's primitive airstrip as a springboard for assaults into enemy territory. From mid-January US transport aircraft began flying Australian troops to Wau, where the 17th Brigade had orders to defend the airfield from possible attacks from Lae or Salamaua. Bad weather slowed this process and when the Japanese launched a surprise attack along a hitherto unknown track on 28 January a desperate fight for the airstrip ensued. Although enemy fire was hitting the airfield the next day, clear weather permitted the arrival by air of reinforcing infantry and artillery that tipped the balance on the ground. RAAF Beaufighters also contributed to the destruction of an ammunition dump and associated Japanese forces crowding around Leahy's Farm near Wau.