Kokoda Campaign Essay

Introduction and Hypothesis

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.

Background ( How the Kokoda Campaign began)
The Kokoda Track is a 96-kilometer course Northeast of Port Moresby which consists primarily of jungle and steep mountains. The Kokoda Campaign began when the Japanese started taking over the majority of Asia before deciding to land in Papua in July 1942. The Kokoda Campaign was a series of battles in which the Australian troops fought for a duration of four months

in harsh conditions to stop the Japanese from Invading Port Moresby and Australia. Port Moresby became a key point in their plan to take over Australia.

Motivation ( aims ) of the Japanese
The Japanese originally did not have Port Moresby in their war plan, although it did include Rabaul and that required using Port Moresby as a base. The Japanese planned to attack North Australia which is now known as Cairns. They arranged to cut off Australia’s supplies which were received from the U.S. The Japanese also wanted to cut off any communication between both countries so that Australia would become isolated and weak on its own making it easier to take over. This was all true as the Australian’s did not have any powerful supporting allies and the attack scared Australia as it was the first time Australia had been under threat of invasion.

Motivations of Australians and their response
Although there was much fear of the Japanese taking over PNG and Australia, the Australian troops were sent to Kokoda a fight against the Japanese in order to keep them from invading into Port Moresby and Australia. “Opposing the Japanese was "Maroubra Force", comprising the 300-strong Papuan Infantry Battalion and an Australian militia unit, the 39th Battalion.’ ("Remembering 1942: The end of the Kokoda campaign | Australian War Memorial", 2016). The troops were not volunteers as those who were, were fighting other battles in Africa. Therefore, the men that were conscripts were not as motivated to go over to Kokoda and fight Against the Japanese. The Papuans also fought during the battle and aided the troops.The Australian troops also know as the Maroubra force, formed a special bond with the Papuans as they took are of the Australian trooper during their time of recovery. These Papuans were called the ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’.

Condition on the track - supplies, Terrain, Equipment of both armies
The Kokoda campaign was not just the hardest battle the Australian troops had to fight because they were on their own, but the conditions of the track were extremely harsh.

Firstly, there was the constant change of temperatures, as the terrain was long and the track weren’t straight paths. It consisted of many mountains, the temperature would turn colder as the mountains went up and as the mountains went down, the temperature would turn hotter.
Secondly, The equipment used on the track were already previously used equipment from World War 1 as those troops that were off fighting other battles against bigger enemies were used the equipment that was more advanced and better quality. The armour that the conscripts used were not well camouflaged during the Kokoda Campaign which automatically put them at a loss because they were easier to spot. However, the Australian troops soon realised how to change the colour of their clothes to a more mud like

colour.
Thirdly, the supplies on the Kokoda track were not ideal, the supplies were originally air dropped, it was vital that process was continuous because without it the troops would fall sick and the force would become weak. When air dropping supplies stopped, the supplies were transported by vehicle, the Australian troops had 19 tonnes of supplies for 1000 men to be fighting each day however the Japanese had only 6 tonnes of supplies for 1000 men. During the Kokoda Campaign men fell ill, from Malaria and Dysentery. This put Australia at a major loss as the Japanese were more immune to the diseases.

Significance of the campaign from a range of perspective ( Australia, Japanese, USA, past, present)
The Kokoda Campaign was a very significant event for the Japanese, Australian, American and Papua New Guineans. The Japanese because it was a battle in which many Japanese soldiers died and because they resulted in a loss, it is a very dark time in Japanese history. The Kokoda Campaign is also significant to the Australian’s because it was the first major battle that the Australian’s had to conquer on their own with no powerful allies. For the Americans, the contributed by fighting some of the battles against the Japanese. The Kokoda Campaign is very significant to the Papuans as it was a time which the Japanese tried to take their land and killed many of their people just to be in control of Port Moresby. The Kokoda Campaign is also significant because it bonds the two countries, Australia and PNG, together.

Conclusion - Summary of the findings in the report to answer key question
The Australians had one more tough battle to fight at Oivi-Gorari, where the Japanese were determined to make a final stand. By November 18, the Australians reached the Kumusi River, and the battle for the Kokoda Track was won. ("History of Kokoda", 2016) The Kokoda track is significant in today's society because it is a representation of Australia’s participation in the Second World War and those who have died in order for Australia to not be ruled by the Japanese. The Kokoda Campaign is also still seen as one of the most significant battles in Australia's history as it was the first major battle that the Australians fought with no supporting allies and won the Kokoda Campaign, the battle that saved Australia.