Kokoda Battle World War II 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. Firstly, the Kokoda Battle was an important event because of its cultural significance to Australia. The Kokoda track stands as an icon for Australian participation in the Second World War, just as Gallipoli serves the same purpose for the First World War. In 1942, the Australian Territories of Papua and New Guinea were in law if not in public sentiment, as much a part of Australia as the Northern Territory. It is then quite true to say that Australian soil was invaded by the Japanese in 1942. The main objective of this battle was for Japan to capture Port Moresby via the Kokoda track and from there they would control the Pacific. This war was also very significant because of the mateship, loyalty and hard work the Australians did to protect our country even when they were “flat out” of energy, as evidenced by this quote I must admit to some degree of amazement as to how active they were, to be able to keep going. We were flat, absolutely flat out! Physically exhausted! And so they must have been! Still, when they encircled us at Efogi in an area like that...You'd have to be a qualified mountain goat t... ... middle of paper ... ...uld find a mass of blood around the bottom of your legs and these would be full of leeches, dropping off and lying on your socks. But 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. If you were the last in the evening, and it had been raining for two hours, you were dead unlucky. The mud was a foot deep all the way along. [Don Simonson, 39th Battalion, interviewed on the Australia Remembers Pilgrimage to Papua/New Guinea, June/July 1995, http://www.kokodatreks.com/history/thekokodacampaign.cfm ] In conclusion the Kokoda Battle was a highly significant event to Australia firstly because of its cultural significance then and now: secondly, because of its strategic significance and finally, the military significance to Australia and the condition they faced during the War.
Kokoda track campaign was one of the most important battles in WWII. There are several reasons why this battle was so significant. Firstly, Kokoda track campaign stopped the invasion of Australia. Secondly, the Kokoda track campaign lead to the victory of WWII with the defeat of Japan. Lastly, the conditions that all the troops at the Kokoda campaign had to go through was atrocious and against the ally troop’s odds. This battle leads to the development of the nation. It was an important aspect in WW2 because it leads to Japan’s defeat. This is why Kokoda was the most important battle fought by the Australian’s in WWII.
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 Anzac Legend is the source of the Aussie Fight and bravery that will live on for future generations to understand and to acknowledge their courage and bravery.
The battle of Gettysburg was the most important battle in the Civil War and in shaping our county. The Battle of Little Round Top was noted as the most important battle in the Battle of Gettysburg. Located in Gettysburg Pennsylvania is little round top which is the smaller of two hills south of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, between Emmetsburg and Taneytown roads. During the second day of the battel of Gettysburg, little round became a key location in winning the battel.
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 ...
The battle of Saratoga was a significant turning point in the American Revolutionary War. This key conflict was, in fact, two significant battles that shaped America’s struggle for independence. The battles were fought 18 days apart in the same location - 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York. John Burgoyne, the British General, had an initial strategy to divide New England from the southern colonies. This was at first successful when the British took Pennsylvania, but hit a snag when Burgoyne met the Continental Army at Freeman’s Farm on September 19, 1777 - the first of the Saratoga battles. This was a tactical victory for the British, but it came at a price, as their casualties were heavy. It was known that the British won this Battle at Freeman’s Farm, but in actuality, they didn’t have many troops left. On October 7, in the Battle of Bemis Heights, the second Battle of Saratoga, Britain attacked America again as Burgoyne took the offensive. The troops crashed together south of the town of Saratoga, and Burgoyne's army was broken and his command captured. At this battle, the Americans were able to capture a large number of British troops, ultimately resulting in Burgoyne’s surrender on October 17, 1777. The Battle of Saratoga is well known to be “one of the most important victories of the conflict and an early success for the colonists.” The victory gave new life to the American cause at a critical time. Americans had just suffered a major setback at the Battle of Brandywine. They had also received news of the fall of Philadelphia to the British. Significantly with the success at Saratoga, France gained the confidence to enter the war as an American ally. The Battle of Saratoga was a war-altering conflict between the America...
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.
Much of the Track was covered by a “canopy of dense rainforest, dripping with moss and leeches and, after each exhausting climb, the troops would find rocky creek beds and mosquito-infested swamps. Constant tropical downpours and searing heat and humidity meant the soldiers were almost permanently wet. Then, at night, temperatures would plummet at the higher altitudes.” (Kokoda Track Foundation) This lead to higher risks of tropical diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, malaria, pneumonia and tinea. As well as the soldiers were given limited necessary supplies and the limited information available to them. However through this they fought extremely well against the odds. As a soldier describes “There is nothing to eat. Everybody is in a weak and staggering state … Without food, having become terribly thin and emaciated; the appearance of our fellow soldiers does not bear reflection. How could the people at home understand this state of affairs, it must be seen to be believed?” – Unknown Soldier (Ukessays.com) This extract explain how the condition in Kokoda from a soldiers interpretation. Significant
This displays the importance of the battles of Papua New Guinea to Australia since it was vital that Australia defended it. If Japan were to win the battle, Australia would have lost its biggest base and Japan may have eventually captured Australia as well. If Australia was unsuccessful in the battles, the Japanese could have eventually taken control of Australia, which would have made it much different to what it is today. Hence, the battles in Papua New Guinea were very important for
Without a doubt the Battle of Midway is the most important battle of WWII. The battle marked the end of Japan’s dominant reign over the pacific and began the start of the U.S.’s campaign to Tokyo (Prados). Midway was the end of Japan’s strategic initiative, enabling the America to take the offensive two months later at Guadalcanal. Without a U.S. victory in June 1942, The U.S. warships still would have dropped anchor in Tokyo Bay, but at a greater cost (Tillman). The Battle of Midway saved American and allied troops not only in the Pacific but also on the European front. For the reasons of giving The United States control in the Pacific and saving the life’s of Americans and our allies, Midway was the most important naval battle of WWII.
The bombings of Darwin relates to Australian soldiers because it was on Australian soil and killed Australian citizens and armed Australian defenders protecting the vulnerable coastal city. With the many civilians and defenders wounded and killed, it was the largest invasion attempt ever. The bombing of Darwin with its other minor skirmishes served to prove that Australia is a crucial player in the world game. With Japan trying to pin us down only served in making us an even tougher nut to crack and we have proved ourselves time and again in defending not only our country, but others as well. The Sudan war, Boer War, Boxer Rebellion, Korean War, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Two Gulf Wars were brutal for sure, but all were overseas and none touched Australian soil the way the Darwin bombings
The relationships that Australia had with Britain and the US before and after war changed immensely due to the strategic and horrific events of WWII. Before the war Australia always aligned with Great Britain because of the political and cultural ties, therefore making them important Allies. “The Fall of
...Battle of Coral Sea was seen by the Japanese as a win by sheer numbers for the loss of the U.S.S. Lexington, but the Americans would see it as a victory for stopping the Japanese from attacking and controlling Port Moresby and the failure of the Japanese in cutting off the Australians and controlling the south pacific.
One hundred years ago a young nation was born out of the bloody battlefields of World War 1. Immense national pride swooned throughout the country and those men who fought against insurmountable odds, in horrendous conditions, are attributed to our national identity from 1915 to modern times. These men were celebrated as heroes, referred to with reverence and honoured each year after their infamous “baptism of fire”. They were the ANZACs.