Heroes of Kokoda: How Australia halted the Japanese advance in WWII

The Kokoda Campaign represented a pivotal moment in World War II, marking the first instance of Japanese forces being halted on land since the war's onset. 

Australian troops conducted a valiant fighting withdrawal in the face of superior numbers, managing to slow the Japanese progression and eventually repelling them entirely. 

The campaign is also distinguished by the contributions of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, the Papuan tribesmen who provided invaluable support to the Allied soldiers amidst the conflict.

The Kokoda Track has become a sought-after destination for tourists, allowing them to traverse the same routes as the valiant soldiers once did. 

Eora Creek, Isurava, and various other points along the trail hold historical significance as battle sites and are now conserved as an integral part of Australia's heritage.

After the fall of Singapore in February 1942, the Japanese forces proceeded towards Port Moresby via sea.

However, their advance was halted by a joint American and Australian naval fleet at the Battle of the Coral Sea from the 4th to 8th of May 1942.

Consequently, the Japanese attempted an overland march to seize Port Moresby.

At that time, the only defenders in Papua New Guinea were the troops of the 39th Militia Battalion from Australia. 

Unlike regular soldiers, these militia members were volunteers with just basic combat training. 

With the impending arrival of the Japanese soldiers, the Australian militia were ordered to advance along a jungle trail known as the Kokoda Track. The Japanese forces were expected to come from the opposite end and the Australians were tasked with slowing their advance. 

On the 15th of July 1942, the Australian forces arrived at the village of Kokoda, situated midway along the track. 

Around 3500 Japanese soldiers then landed near Gona-Buna on the north coast of Papua New Guinea on the 21st of July. They began marching south towards Port Moresby, along the Kokoda Track.

The initial encounter with Japanese forces took place at Awala on July 23rd. The militia troops, being greatly outnumbered, engaged in a series of defensive battles while retreating.

By August 14th, the 2000 militia troops had fallen back to Isurava to fortify their positions.

The campaign's first significant battle was the Battle of Isurava from August 26th to 31st.

Despite their valiant defense, they suffered the loss of 200 men, and the Australians had to retreat further.

Allied airmen bolstered the soldiers by airdropping supplies along the track and repeatedly striking the enemy's supply lines whenever possible. 

However, by this point, the Australians had retreated so far that they were nearly back at Port Moresby once more.

On the 17th of September 1942, they made a stand at Imita Ridge, a mere 50 kilometres from the city, readying themselves for what could have been their last battle.

Yet, the situation within the Japanese army was dire. By September 24th, they had pushed forward beyond their supply lines, leaving them critically short on food and ammunition. 

Consequently, the Japanese commander, recognizing that they could not sustain another battle, instructed his forces to withdraw along the Kokoda Track to reestablish their supply connection.

It wasn't until the 28th of September, when Allied patrols surveyed the area, that they realized the Japanese had withdrawn.

The Australians, now bolstered with the arrival of additional battalions of the Australian Infantry Force, opted to follow in pursuit, effectively reversing the roles of the two armies.

The Japanese were forced into a fighting retreat, while the Australians, bolstered by new reinforcements, were in hot pursuit.

By November, Australian forces had retaken the village of Kokoda, and by January, they had seized the beachheads at Buna and Gona, which finally drove the Japanese from Papua New Guinea. 

It is estimated that the campaign resulted in at least 600 Australian fatalities and an additional 1700 wounded.

While the Australian militia troops conducted a significant portion of the Allied combat, they received support from several key groups. 

Papuan tribesmen, who became known as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, aided the Allied forces throughout the conflict. They served as porters, transporting food and supplies during marches, and played a vital role as guides through the dense jungle. 

Additionally, American soldiers and commanders contributed essential military intelligence and, as the conflict progressed, supplied additional troops and weaponry to overtake Japanese strongholds.