The first phase of the new campaign consisted of an amphibious landing by Allied troops north of Siki Cove near the confluence of the Siki River and south of the Song at a beach codenamed "Scarlet". Positioned further east on the peninsula from Lae, in terms of strategic importance, Finschhafen overshadowed Lae in the minds of the Allied planners, due to its potential to support operations across the Vitiaz Strait into New Britain.
The first phase of the new campaign involved an amphibious landing by Allied forces north of Siki Cove, near the confluence of the Siki River and south of the Song, at a beach called "Scarlet". Finschhafen was deemed more important than Lae in terms of strategic significance due to its potential to facilitate operations across the Vitiaz Strait into New Britain.