A Short History Of The Kokoda Track
Kokoda is a town in the Oro Province of Papua New Guinea, and is the northern most point on the Kokoda Track.
The area was the scene of several battles between Allied (mainly Australian, with US air support) and Japanese forces during World War 2.
Following its defeat in the battle of The Coral Sea in May, 1942, and the Battle of Midway a month later, Japan’s ability to mount an amphibious assault was severely hampered.
The Battle of The Coral Sea saw the Japanese attempt to land troops at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea thwarted, and so it was decided to land troops on the northern side of the island, and cross the Owen Stanley Ranges to Port Moresby.
Landings were made at Buna, Gona and Sanananda.
The Owen Stanley Ranges
The overland trek was horrendous, with intense resistance from Australian troops.
Following the capture of the airfield at Kokoda, supplies for the Australian troops had to be carried overland form the south.
Why Did The Japanese Need Port Moresby?
Up until Midway, the Japanese had virtually locked up the Pacific.
China was under their control, and they had occupied a number of countries in their move south.
Japanese forces were also occupying much of the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) and had bombed Darwin, Broome, and Townsville in Australia.
The Japanese navy had also sent a force of midget submarines into Sydney Harbour.
Had Japanese forces taken Port Moresby, they could have threatened Allied shipping in both the Indian and Pacific oceans.
While debate still rages about whether Japan intended to invade Australia (if indeed they had the capacity to do so), the capture of Port Moresby would have severely hindered the Allied war effort, and effectively neutralised Australia.
The Kokoda Track
Stretching from Owers Corner in the south, to Kokoda in the north, the track passes through the Owen Stanley Ranges.
The track was also known as the Buna Road, the Bulldog track, and the Kokoda Trail!
It was used by Europeans as gold miners made their way to the Yodda Kokoda gold fields during the 1890s.
Temperatures along the Kokoda track can vary from 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day to about 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight.
Links and References:
Kokoda Track, Wikipedia
Battle Of The Coral Sea, Wikipedia
Kokoda Track Campaign, Wikipedia
History Wars Surround Kokoda – ABC Radio
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