In the Battle of Hollandia, the start of the Western New Guinea campaign, Hollandia was next to fall to the mounting amphibious offensive. This largest assault till then undertaken by American forces, was launched by 200 ships. "Phoenix" shelled the shore in the Humboldt Bay-Hollandia area as the troops went ashore on 22 April, and supported them as they consolidated their gains and prepared for further attacks along the northwest coast of the big island. "Phoenix" shelled the Wakde and Sawar Airfields on the night of 29–30 April to neutralize the danger of air attack on newly-won Allied positions on New Guinea.