The significance of the Battle of Kokoda in WWII. The Kokoda Battle was fought between July and November 1942 and was one of the most important military engagements in World War II for Australia and the Allied Forces in the Pacific. This essay evaluates the significance of the Battle of Kokoda through its strategic importance, the conditions the soldiers underwent, and its wider implications for the Pacific War. The battle prevented the Japanese from capturing Port Moresby, which would have allowed them to launch further assaults on Australia and disrupt Allied supply lines. The harsh conditions of the battle tested the resilience and endurance of the Australian soldiers. The broader implications of the battle include its contribution to the …show more content…
Today, most believe that Japan wouldn’t have invaded Australia. But back then, everyone believed that that was their intention, Australia had already been previously threatened by the Japanese forces through the bombing of Darwin, Broome and Townsville as well when they attacked Sydney Harbour. Port Moresby was an extremely important tactical position due to its airfield. The port could have served as a base for launching amphibious operations, as it was very close to Australia. Japan had recently conducted similar operations in other regions at comparable distances from Port Moresby to North Queensland. Thus, Australia's defence of Port Moresby, achieved through the Kokoda Track campaign, was of utmost significance in protecting the nation. Bill Edgar notes this in his book Warrior of Kokoda ‘In relation to the direct security of the nation, no Australians have fought more important battles than those who struggled through the Papua’s Owen Stanley Rand during August and September 1942’ (Warrior of …show more content…
During the first four months of World War II in the Pacific theatre, Allied countries and territories suffered substantial losses. Japan had gained the upper hand in the region, capturing vast territories, occupying multiple countries, and taking thousands of prisoners. During the war, both Allied and Japanese forces saw the Territory of Papua as an important location due to its close proximity to both Australia and Asia. The Japanese considered Port Moresby a strategic point to launch aerial attacks on northern Australia. The successful defence of the Kokoda Track prevented Japan from capturing Port Moresby, a crucial target that would have opened the door to further attacks on Australia and possibly changed the balance of power in the South Pacific. By stopping the Japanese advance, the Allied forces protected vital supply lines and bases, which were critical for future operations in the
... to hold Port Moresby from the Japanese until the AIF assisted. Kokoda lead to the growth of the nation because of the conditions that the Australian troops had to go through was unbearable and amazing how they were still able to defeat the Japanese.
Kokoda was arguably Australia’s most significant campaigns of the Second World War. The track crosses some of the most rugged and most isolated terrain in the world, and is only passable by foot. Being poorly equipped, and having not developed effective jungle warfare tactics, troops had to manoeuvre through the rough terrain. “In these moss forests, where you couldn't see the sun, the roots of the trees are all covered in moss and the track was only root from root. Further along, where it was not quite so high, you would spend three hours climbing up a small pad through the jungle.” (Simonson, 1995) Australia’s involvement through this jungle-enclosed pathway was the last resource Australian troops needed to conquer to defend the mainland from dire threat. Through nightmare conditions like torrential rain, leeches, malaria horrific fighting and more Australia managed to push the Japanese back to where they came from. Despite the relatively small size of our armed forces, Australians fighting in the Kokoda campaign made a significant outcome to world war two.
The Kokoda Campaign, also known as the Battle that saved Australia, was a series of battles in which the Japanese fought the Australian and Americas for control over Port Moresby. Had the Japanese been successful in taking over Port Moresby, Australia would have been under serious threat. This was a significant event in Australian History because it was the first time the Australian Nation had been threatened by invasion. This was a significant event in Australian History because as it was a time to reflect upon those who put others lives before theirs for the safety of this Country.
The Battle of Bannockburn happened in 1314 just outside of Stirling, Scotland. It was a war between the large English army and the much smaller Scottish army. The Scottish showed they were a force to be reckoned with when they took Stirling Castle for ransom. The English were trying to get the castle back from the Scottish which caused the Battle of Bannockburn
The Kokoda Battle occurred from the 21st July 1942 to 16th November in 1942, during World War II. It was a campaign which resulted in an aggressive fight between the Japanese and the Allies. I believe that, based on my research, the Kokoda Battle in World War II was a significant battle for Australians to a great extent. I believe this for three reasons: firstly, the battle was culturally significant to Australia: secondly, the battle was strategically significant to Australia: and thirdly, the battle was of military significance to Australia. I will argue that these reasons are three strong reasons.
...nce as to how the soldiers were directly impacted by the efforts at The Home Front. As a result, the first sub question; ‘Were the soldiers fighting in the Pacific influences also?’ was removed, leaving the following, more controlled set; ‘How did the challenges faced at The Home Front impact the relationships between the Australian people? Are such correlations still recognised today?’ Unlike the sources that were used to answer focus questions one to three, the information relating to the social effect of the war efforts by the Australian public, is all still valid and relevant to today. This is mainly due to the fact that the facets that were demonstrated during this particular time period, such as mateship and determination, continue to be reflected in modern day society and are the characteristics to which Australians are linked to by outsiders.
Following the outbreak of the Pacific War in early December 1941, Darwin's defences were reinforced . In line with plans developed before the war, s...
Parks, G. (2005). The Importance of the Battle of Long Tan. Retrieved May 28th, 2014, from City of Parramatta RSL Sub-branch: http://www.parramattarsl.com.au/rsl9/BLTI.htm
I will also discuss how the young, naive soldiers arrived at war, not knowing what warfare entailed. They were shocked by the conditions and the casualties. I will also discuss the bravery shown by the ANZACS in the most dangerous conditions. I will conclude with my reasons for why the Gallipoli campaign holds such value and importance in Australian history and ideology. Australian men were very keen to get involved in the war because they felt that it was their duty and if they didn’t go to war it would make them look cowardly.
Unfortunately, with most if not all large-scale conflicts, a detrimental aftermath was soon sure to follow. Australia was by no means exempt from this, as made evident by the Australian veterans and
When the Great War began, Australia went to war as a nation which not only held its own but was invaluable to many ...
Australia relied on Britain holding Singapore as it was the gate way to Australia, it was feared that if it fell a Japanese attack was imminent. The Australian Prime Minister at the time, John Curtain, suggested the Fall of Singapore to be “Australia’s Dunkirk” and said it would be followed by the “battle of Australia” (National Archives of Australia). This corroborates with Curtain’s statement after Singapore fell, he said, “the fall of Singapore opens the Battle for Australia.”( http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww2/bfa/overview.html, Richard Reid). The government was preparing the Australian public for a Japanese attack, they wanted the public to be ready for an attack that was, what they thought, certain to come. After the Japanese air raid on Darwin on Feb 19 1942, Curtain told Australians there was “no more looking away now. Fate has willed our position in this war.” It is obvious that the government was predicting an invasion, an invasion that probably wouldn’t have happened if Britain held ...
Morison, Samuel, E. (1960). Victory in the pacific, 1945 – history of the united states naval operations in world war ii. (Vol. 14, p. 389). Boston: Little Brown.
The Australian participation in WW2 was similar to that of WW1 in many ways. After the British declared war on Germany on September 3rd 1939, an Australian declaration of war was automatic. Aussie troops were soon sent to different parts of the world to help the British and other allied countries. It was not until late 1941 that they were recalled in order to defend the homefront. Darwin had been suddenly attacked by Japanese planes and small enemy submarines had snuck into Sydney Harbour. Darwin was repeatedly bombed by Japanese planes until July 1941, when along with American troops, the Aussies managed to drive them out of the Solomon Islands and northeastern New Guinea and eliminate a strong Japanese base at Rabaul. Without General MacArthur's troops, the enemy may very well have invaded Australia. This illustrates the importance of alliances.
„h There they where watching us fighting such inhumanly, to take out as many of the enemy as possible, and to return none, that was the order and we did nothing but follow it. Something the British where to afraid to do, and we Australians where demanded to endeavor.