Kokoda Track campaign facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kokoda Track campaign
Part of the New Guinea Campaign of the Pacific Theater (World War II)
Soldiers of the Australian 39th Battalion in September 1942
Date 21 July – 16 November 1942 Location Territory of Papua Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Australia  United States	Japan
Commanders and leaders
Thomas Blamey Sydney Rowell Edmund Herring Arthur Allen George Vasey Douglas MacArthur	Harukichi Hyakutake Tomitarō Horii
Strength
30,000	13,500
Casualties and losses
625 killed 1,055 wounded 4,000+ sick	~ 2,050 ~ 4,500 including sick

The Kokoda Track campaign was a series of tough battles during World War II. It happened in Papua (now Papua New Guinea) between July and November 1942. This fight was mainly on land, with Japanese forces trying to capture Port Moresby. They planned to march over the rugged Owen Stanley Range using the Kokoda Track. Their goal was to cut off Australia from the United States.

The Japanese landed near Gona and Buna on July 21, 1942. They quickly pushed back the Australian and Papuan troops. The Japanese captured Kokoda village and its important airfield. Even with more Australian soldiers arriving, the Japanese kept advancing.

However, the Japanese eventually had to pull back. They were running out of supplies and had orders to retreat because of problems in another battle at Guadalcanal. Australian forces then chased them, fighting hard battles along the way. The Australians finally recaptured Kokoda on November 2. The campaign ended with an Allied victory, but it was a very difficult fight.

The Kokoda Track Campaign: A Jungle War

Why the Battle Happened

After Singapore fell to Japan, many Australians worried about an invasion. Australia was not ready for such an attack. Many of its best soldiers were overseas. The Japanese military decided not to invade Australia directly. Instead, they planned to cut Australia off from the United States. They wanted to capture Port Moresby, the capital of Papua.

The Japanese first tried to take Port Moresby by sea. But the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 stopped them. After losing many ships at the Battle of Midway, the Japanese decided to try an overland attack. They would march through the mountains to reach Port Moresby.

The Challenging Jungle Terrain

The Kokoda Track is a narrow path through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua. In 1942, Papua was part of Australia. There were almost no roads or modern facilities. Travel was mostly by air or sea.

The track itself is about 96 kilometers (60 miles) long. It goes over very steep mountains, reaching heights of 2,190 meters (7,185 feet). The path constantly goes up and down, making it extremely tiring. The area is covered in thick jungle. It is hot and humid, with heavy rainfall. Higher up, it can get very cold and foggy at night. This made fighting and moving supplies incredibly difficult.

Sickness and Disease in the Jungle

Soldiers fighting in New Guinea faced many tropical diseases. These included malaria, dengue fever, and dysentery. Malaria was a huge problem, especially in coastal areas. Even though higher parts of the track were cooler, soldiers still suffered from relapses.

Poor hygiene and contaminated water caused many cases of dysentery. Soldiers also got skin infections and tropical ulcers. These diseases weakened the troops on both sides. They caused more casualties than actual fighting.

The Japanese Soldiers and Their Plan

The Japanese forces were part of the 17th Army. Major General Tomitarō Horii led the main Japanese group, called the South Seas Detachment. They believed there was a good road to Kokoda. This was wrong.

The Japanese landed on July 21, 1942. They brought engineers to build roads. Their plan was to quickly march over the mountains to Port Moresby. Horii's troops were experienced soldiers. They carried 16 days' worth of food.

The Australian Defenders

Australia had local militia units in Papua. These included the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB). The 39th Battalion was also sent to Port Moresby. These troops were not as well-trained as the Japanese veterans. Many spent more time working than training.

Later, more experienced Australian soldiers arrived. These were from the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF). The 7th Division, including the 21st and 25th Brigades, came from the Middle East. They were ready to defend Port Moresby.

Key Battles and Retreats

First Clashes and the Fall of Kokoda

On July 21, 1942, Japanese troops landed near Gona. They quickly moved towards Kokoda. Papuan and Australian patrols tried to stop them with ambushes. On July 26, a small Australian force tried to hold a position near Oivi. They were outnumbered and had to retreat.

The 39th Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel William Owen, reoccupied Kokoda on July 28. They fought hard against the Japanese. But Owen was badly wounded, and the Australians had to pull back again. The Japanese captured Kokoda on July 29.

The Battle of Isurava: A Fierce Stand

After losing Kokoda, the Australians regrouped at Isurava. More Australian troops arrived, including the 21st Brigade. The Japanese attacked Isurava from August 26 to 31. The fighting was very intense.

During this battle, Private Bruce Kingsbury of the 39th Battalion showed incredible bravery. He rushed forward, firing his machine gun, and cleared a path through the Japanese. He was killed by a sniper, but his actions helped his comrades. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia's highest military honor.

The Australians were eventually forced to retreat from Isurava. They were running low on supplies and faced strong Japanese attacks.

Fighting Retreat: Eora Creek and Templeton's Crossing

After Isurava, the Australians continued their fighting retreat. They set up defensive positions at places like Eora Village and Templeton's Crossing. The Japanese kept pushing forward.

The Australian soldiers were exhausted and sick. They fought hard to slow down the Japanese advance. The difficult terrain made it even harder to move troops and supplies.

The Disaster at Brigade Hill

The Australians tried to make a stand at Mission Ridge, near Brigade Hill. This was a very tough battle from September 6 to 9. The Japanese managed to surround parts of the Australian force. Two battalions had to break out, barely escaping. One battalion, the 2/27th, was cut off and thought lost for three weeks. This was a major defeat for the Australians.

The Last Stand: Ioribaiwa and Imita Ridge

After Brigade Hill, the Australians pulled back to Ioribaiwa Ridge. They were reinforced by the 25th Brigade. The Japanese attacked again from September 14 to 16. The Australians held their ground but eventually decided to retreat to Imita Ridge.

Imita Ridge was the last defensive position before Port Moresby. If the Japanese broke through here, they could reach the city. But the Japanese advance stopped at Ioribaiwa. They could see the lights of Port Moresby, but they didn't attack Imita Ridge.

Japanese Retreat and Australian Counter-Attack

Why the Japanese Withdrew

The Japanese stopped their advance for several reasons.

• Supply Problems: They had outrun their supply lines. It was very hard to get food and ammunition through the jungle. Soldiers were starving.
• Guadalcanal: The Japanese were also fighting a major battle at Guadalcanal. They decided they couldn't support both campaigns. General Horii was ordered to pull his troops back from Kokoda to help at Guadalcanal.

On September 26, the Japanese began to withdraw from Ioribaiwa. The Australians found their positions abandoned on September 28.

The Australian Advance Begins

The Australians began to chase the retreating Japanese. Major General Arthur "Tubby" Allen led the 7th Division. They faced new challenges as they advanced. The Japanese had set up strong defensive positions along the track.

Recapturing Key Locations

• Templeton's Crossing and Eora Village: The Australians fought tough battles to clear these Japanese strongholds in October. The Japanese had fortified these areas for months.
• Kokoda Village: On November 2, an Australian patrol entered Kokoda and found it empty. The Australians had recaptured the village! This was a huge morale boost. A flag-raising ceremony was held.

The Battle of Oivi–Gorari

The last major battle on the track happened at Oivi and Gorari from November 4 to 11. The Japanese had built strong defenses here. The Australians used flanking attacks to defeat them. This battle was a clear victory for the Australians.

By November 16, the Australian 7th Division had crossed the Kumusi River. They were now advancing towards the Japanese beachheads at Buna and Gona.

Supporting the Soldiers: Logistics and Medical Care

Supplying the Troops: A Huge Challenge

Supplying soldiers in the New Guinea jungle was incredibly difficult. There were no roads, only narrow footpaths.

• Carriers: Papuan carriers, often called "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels," carried supplies forward. They also carried wounded soldiers back. They were essential to the campaign.
• Air Drops: Airplanes dropped supplies, but it was often unreliable. Supplies were lost or damaged. There weren't enough planes.
• Limited Equipment: Australian soldiers often lacked heavy weapons like artillery and large mortars. These were considered too heavy to carry through the jungle. The Japanese, however, managed to bring some mountain guns, which gave them an advantage.

Caring for the Wounded

Medical care was also a huge challenge. Wounded soldiers had to be carried for days or even weeks. There were not enough planes for air evacuation. Many soldiers suffered from diseases like malaria and dysentery. The conditions were extremely harsh for everyone.

Leadership and Lessons Learned

Command Changes and Challenges

The campaign saw many changes in leadership. General Douglas MacArthur, the top Allied commander, and General Sir Thomas Blamey, the Australian commander, were often frustrated. They didn't fully understand how hard the jungle conditions were.

Several Australian generals were replaced during the campaign. This caused some tension and unhappiness among the troops. Blamey once told the soldiers they had been "beaten" and were like "running rabbits." This angered many who had fought so bravely.

The "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels"

The Papuan carriers played a vital role. They were conscripted to carry supplies and evacuate the wounded. They worked in terrible conditions, often overworked and underfed. Despite this, they showed great care for the wounded soldiers. They became known as the "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels" for their kindness and dedication.

Impact and Legacy

The Kokoda Track campaign was a major victory for the Allies. It ended the Japanese threat to Port Moresby and, indirectly, to Australia. It showed the incredible toughness of the Australian and Papuan soldiers.

The campaign also taught important lessons. Both the American and Australian armies learned to improve training for jungle warfare. They changed their equipment and how they supplied troops. The experience at Kokoda helped shape the Australian Army into a strong jungle fighting force.