Local carriers assist wounded Australian soliders waiting for evacuation (G. Silk, 1942) Looking across the Kokoda area (Australian War Memorial, 1942) The Kokoda campaign The Kokoda campaign was very important for the people interviewed in this project. It began with the Japanese landing at Gona on 21 July 1942, and lasted until the Japanese were defeated at Sanananda on 23 January 1943. During those six months there was bitter fighting that spread from the northern coastline as far as Ioribaiwa, only forty kilometres from Port Moresby. Here are some of the main actions from the Kokoda campaign, from start to finish: 21 July 1942 Japanese forces land in Gona area; Papuan Infantry Battalion involved in the evacuation to Sangara and first engagements with the Japanese forces (23 July) 29 July–10 August 1942 Battles for Kokoda; Papuan Infantry Battalion involved in defending this area as part of Maroubra force 26–31 August 1942 Stand at Isurava; Papuan Infantry Battalion units operating behind Japanese lines in Ambasi area 31 August 5 September 1942 – Japanese forces advance past Isurava to Papuan Templeton’s Crossing; Infantry Battalion withdrawn to regroup in Sogeri area and assist with evacuation of wounded 6–9 September 1942 Australian forces pushed back at Efogi (battles of Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill) 14–16 September 1942 Japanese forces reach Ioribaiwa Ridge; furthest point of Japanese advance 26 September 1942 Japanese forces start to withdraw 13–28 October 1942 Action at Eora Creek / Crossing which leads to the defeat of Templeton’s Japanese forces; Papuan Infantry Battalion units operating behind Japanese lines at Opi River and Wairopi
Local carriers assist wounded Australian soliders waiting for evacuation (G. Silk, 1942) Looking across the Kokoda area (Australian War Memorial, 1942) The Kokoda campaign The Kokoda campaign was very important for the people interviewed in this project. It began with the Japanese landing at Gona on 21 July 1942, and lasted until the Japanese were defeated at Sanananda on 23 January 1943. During those six months there was bitter fighting that spread from the northern coastline as far as Ioribaiwa, only forty kilometres from Port Moresby. Here are some of the main actions from the Kokoda campaign, from start to finish: 21 July 1942 Japanese forces land in Gona area; Papuan Infantry Battalion involved in the evacuation to Sangara and first engagements with the Japanese forces (23 July) 29 July–10 August 1942 Battles for Kokoda; Papuan Infantry Battalion involved in defending this area as part of Maroubra force 26–31 August 1942 Stand at Isurava; Papuan Infantry Battalion units operating behind Japanese lines in Ambasi area 31 August – 5 September 1942 Japanese forces advance past Isurava to Templeton’s Crossing; Papuan Infantry Battalion withdrawn to regroup in Sogeri area and assist with evacuation of wounded 6–9 September 1942 Australian forces pushed back at Efogi (battles of Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill) 14–16 September 1942 Japanese forces reach Ioribaiwa Ridge; furthest point of Japanese advance 26 September 1942 Japanese forces start to withdraw 13–28 October 1942 Action at Eora Creek / Templeton’s Crossing which leads to the defeat of Japanese forces; Papuan Infantry Battalion units operating behind Japanese lines at Opi River and Wairopi
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