The Men of Kokoda

On this day 64 years ago, July 15 in 1942, 95 officers and men of B company 39th Militia battalion arrived at the airstrip at Kokoda, accompanied by a detachment of the Papuan Infantry Battalion and about 120 native carriers, they had been sent north from Port Moresby to secure the airstrip. One platoon moved to the northern coast to rendevous with the lugger "Gili Gili" at Buna to take delivery of supplies. Soon after this was completed, on July 21, between 1500 - 2000 Japanese landed at Gona and commenced to move up the track with the purpose of taking control of the airstrip and to establish the feasability of using the Kokoda Track as a line of attack on Port Moresby. On July 24 the Australian and Japanese forces made contact at the Kumusi River in the first encounter of what was to be known as the "Kokoda Campaign".

The Australians met the Japanese and managed to keep them at bay while the remaining companies of the 39th battalion struggled up the track to join B company in the defence of the airstrip. Against overwhelming odds the battalion was forced to fall back to Isurava where they were re-inforced by the 2-14, 2-16 Battalions of the 21st Brigade, 2nd A.I.F and the 53rd Militia Battalion on August 26. Under-trained, ill-equipped, poorly supplied and hopelessly outnumbered the 39th battalion had held the track for a month against a superior enemy force before reinforcements arrived. They were finally relieved by the 2-27th battalion on September 4.

During August the Japanese came to believe that a successful attack on Port Moresby could be achieved over the track. Thousands of fresh Japanese troops landed at Buna on the northern coast were moved rapidly toward the front. Under increasing pressure the Australian were forced back to within sight of Port Moresby. The extended supply line that had plagued the Australians earlier in the campaign now took its toll on the starving Japanese. By the end of September the enemy were a spent force and started to withdraw back to the northern coast pursued by the 25th and 16th Brigades of the A.I.F and the 3rd Militia battalion who by November had forced the Japanese back to Gona.

Read more about Kokoda here:- (Scroll down to "The Kokoda Campaign").

Did your grandfather, father or uncle serve in the Kokoda Campaign?

These are the units involved:- (Where known the state of origin is shown)

MILITIA:- 39th Battalion (Vic.) 53rd Battalion (N.S.W.) 3rd Battalion (N.S.W.)

Papuan Infantry Battalion (Papua) ANGAU (Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit)

A.I.F.:- o 21st Brigade 2-14th Battalion (Vic.) 2-16th Battalion (W.A.) 2-27th Battalion (S.A.)

o 25th Brigade 2-25th Battalion (Qld.) 2-31st Battalion (formed in U.K. - Australia wide) 2-33rd Battalion (formed in U.K. - Australia wide)

o 16th Brigade 2-1st Battalion (N.S.W.) 2-2nd Battalion (N.S.W.) 2-3rd Battalion (N.S.W.)

2-1st Pioneer Battalion 2-6th Independent Company 14th Field Regiment 2-6th Field Company 2-14th Field Company 2-9th Australian General Hospital 2-4th Field Ambulance 2-6th Field Ambulance

--------------------------------- If you know the unit in which your relative served find out where he fought here:- If you return to the main index on this site you can find references and links to all conflicts involving Australians in all services Army, Navy and Air Force. --------------------------------- Barry Graham Frankston, Victoria