Kokoda Campaign

• "The Japanese were not defeated by the Australians, but rather by their own mistakes."
• The Kokoda Track campaign was a turning point in the early Pacific War and is seen as crucial to Australia's war effort.
• Australian and Japanese troops fought fierce battles along the narrow, treacherous Kokoda Track during 1942.
• The Kokoda Track was a 96-mile bush track through the Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea that served as the scene of two major battles during World War II: the Kokoda Track campaign.
• Kokoda Track is located between Port Moresby (PNG) and Buna/Gona (Northern Territory)
• Australian troops used guerrilla tactics against the Japanese.
• Some Japanese soldiers resorted to eating human flesh as they ran out of other options.
• It demonstrated that Australian troops could fight effectively against an enemy with superior numbers and equipment.
• The battle also highlighted the importance of air power and intelligence gathering in modern warfare.
• The campaign had significant political implications, including boosting morale at home and demonstrating Australia's ability to contribute to the Allied cause.
• Japanese forces aimed to capture Port Moresby on Papua New Guinea's south-eastern coastline, which would have allowed them to control airfields there and launch attacks against northern Australia.
• The Australian Army had been preparing for an invasion since December 1938 when it established its first jungle training school at Canungra, Queensland.
• A force of around 30,000 men under General Thomas Blamey set out from Brisbane in August 1942.
• In February 1940, the army formed the 7th Division with three infantry brigades (the 18th, 21st, and 25th) and supporting units such as artillery, engineers, medical services, signals, and transport.
• Port Moresby was considered an important strategic location due to its proximity to Australia and the ability to launch air attacks against it.
• The Australian government decided to defend Port Moresby instead of evacuating it.
• Japanese forces landed at Gona on August 21st, 1942.
• General MacArthur ordered General Blamey to lead an expeditionary force to stop the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby.
• The Australian Army had been reorganized into three divisions by September 1943
• The Battle of Kokoda lasted from July 21st, 1942 until November 2nd, 1942
• The battle on the Kokoda Track lasted six months and involved over 50,000 men.