Kokoda Track Research Paper
Location: Crn. Deakin St and Rickard St - Mary St, Rhodes
Event: Although the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway was built to specifically commemorate the events of The Kokoda Trail, Papua New Guinea (July 1942 - January 1943), the Walkway also commemorates all those who served and died in the Papua-New Guinea campaign of July 1942-January 1943.
The Papuan Campaign: Port Moresby and Milne Bay
The Japanese entered the war in December of the year 1941 and slowly forced their way towards the Australian coastline, overthrowing any who dared stand in their way. In February of the year 1942, the attack on the coast of Australia was postponed but was not forgotten. Instead, the Japanese invaded Australian Papua New Guinea and attempted to take Port …show more content…
The authority at Port Moresby, believing that the Maroubra Force had been reinforced by fresh troops, ordered Potts to cease his retreat and make a stand at Efogi. Potts divided the three battalions with him, placing the former rearguard battalions, 2/14 and 2/16, on Brigade Hill behind the fresher battalion, 2/27, which had been placed on Mission Ridge. Both positions were south of Efogi, holding a commanding view of the valley. Behind these three battalions, Potts placed his headquarters with a company from the 2/16th Battalion on the southern slopes of Brigade Hill, leaving a gap between. The Japanese, upon arrival, did not immediately attack but rather positioned their artillery just north of Mission Hut in the valley and began fire on the 2/27th battalion while secretly scouting the positions open to them and those held by the opponent. Colonel Kusunose, who was in command of the Japanese battalions of 2/144 and 3/144, decided to attack the Australians frontally on Mission Ridge with the 3/144th battalion while secretly sending the 2/144th around to their rear at night on Brigade Hill which he was unaware was also held by the Maroubra Force. The attack commenced in force on 7 September; however the Japanese were unable to take any land that day as the Australians were at a vantage point on high ground. As night fell, the 2/144th battalion began their move to the supposed rear of the Maroubra Force on Brigade Hill. With a lot of luck, the 2/144th found their way through the gap between the 2/16th and 2/14th battalions and HQ (Headquarters) which they still did not know was there. As day dawned, the Japanese were able to see the before-unknown positions of the 2/14th and 2/16th on Brigade Hill and the attack switched from Mission Ridge to Brigade Hill. The artillery in the valley were ordered to switch targets to Brigade Hill.
Event: Although the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway was built to specifically commemorate the events of The Kokoda Trail, Papua New Guinea (July 1942 - January 1943), the Walkway also commemorates all those who served and died in the Papua-New Guinea campaign of July 1942-January 1943.
The Papuan Campaign: Port Moresby and Milne Bay
The Japanese entered the war in December of the year 1941 and slowly forced their way towards the Australian coastline, overthrowing any who dared stand in their way. In February of the year 1942, the attack on the coast of Australia was postponed but was not forgotten. Instead, the Japanese invaded Australian Papua New Guinea and attempted to take Port …show more content…
The authority at Port Moresby, believing that the Maroubra Force had been reinforced by fresh troops, ordered Potts to cease his retreat and make a stand at Efogi. Potts divided the three battalions with him, placing the former rearguard battalions, 2/14 and 2/16, on Brigade Hill behind the fresher battalion, 2/27, which had been placed on Mission Ridge. Both positions were south of Efogi, holding a commanding view of the valley. Behind these three battalions, Potts placed his headquarters with a company from the 2/16th Battalion on the southern slopes of Brigade Hill, leaving a gap between. The Japanese, upon arrival, did not immediately attack but rather positioned their artillery just north of Mission Hut in the valley and began fire on the 2/27th battalion while secretly scouting the positions open to them and those held by the opponent. Colonel Kusunose, who was in command of the Japanese battalions of 2/144 and 3/144, decided to attack the Australians frontally on Mission Ridge with the 3/144th battalion while secretly sending the 2/144th around to their rear at night on Brigade Hill which he was unaware was also held by the Maroubra Force. The attack commenced in force on 7 September; however the Japanese were unable to take any land that day as the Australians were at a vantage point on high ground. As night fell, the 2/144th battalion began their move to the supposed rear of the Maroubra Force on Brigade Hill. With a lot of luck, the 2/144th found their way through the gap between the 2/16th and 2/14th battalions and HQ (Headquarters) which they still did not know was there. As day dawned, the Japanese were able to see the before-unknown positions of the 2/14th and 2/16th on Brigade Hill and the attack switched from Mission Ridge to Brigade Hill. The artillery in the valley were ordered to switch targets to Brigade Hill.