The final strongpoint to hold out was Sanananda.

Remembering the war in New Guinea

On 12 January 1943, the 18th Army's commander, General Adachi, ordered the evacuation of Sanananda. About 2,000 troops escaped by sea or on foot by the end of the battle. The Allies had nearly given up hope when it became clear that most of the Japanese had left. On 22 January, the 18th Brigade finished mopping-up actions and the Papuan campaign officially came to an end the following day.