The Imperial Army lost 3,300 killed, another 611 captured, and untold thousands consigned to the nightmarish desperation of jungle wandering. The Americans lost 152 dead and 1,057 wounded, many to friendly fire and other mishaps. Reckless cut off some 55,000 Japanese soldiers in the Hansa Bay/Wewak area whose only options now were either to waste away in place or brave the jungle to fight their way west in hopes of achieving a costly breakout. Tadji provided a useful airfield and the Aitape beachhead an obstacle—hard-pressed as events would unfold—to prevent their escape.
