The Kokoda trail is a track through the Owen Stanley Range in New Guinea which was where some of the harshest and most significant fighting for Australia in World War Two took place. Australian troops were sent to Kokoda in order to defend the country against the Japanese and prevent them from capturing Port Moresby, where they could easily invade Australia and control the South Pacific. During World War Two, the Kokoda track campaign of 1942 significantly shaped Australia’s national identity because they continued the Anzac legend by enduring treacherous conditions, displaying courage and developing positive relationships with Papuan locals. During the Kokoda campaign, the conditions the soldiers were forced to endure were unpleasant and dangerous. …show more content…
This is shown through how the jungle warfare that took place at Kokoda was unfamiliar to the troops; the dense shrubbery hid enemies from sight, consequently forcing the soldier to constantly be on alert (Mason 2014, p. 175). This demonstrates the sheer bravery of the soldiers to persevere through these circumstances. Paul Ham, an Australian historian and journalist, corroborates this in Kokoda (2010) as he states that mental collapse was rare and only 10-25% of small hand and foot wounds were found to be intentional (Australian Government Department of Defence 2012). This reveals the strength of the soldiers in the face of heavy pain and grief. A soldier’s diary from the Kokoda track campaign provides a first-hand account of the time. Although biased to the Australian perspective, he provides a useful description of the warfare at Kokoda, stating, “bullets everywhere - hell on earth amongst the clouds” (State Library of Victoria 2018). The phrase ‘hell on earth’ evokes the sense that the warfare was abhorrent and horrific. This evidently displays the courage of the soldiers who persevered through the adversity they experienced. Moreover, an example of this courage is presented by the Victoria Cross quotation for Private Bruce Kingsbury, a soldier at Kokoda during World War Two, which states, “he rushed forward, firing the Bren Gun from his hip through terrible machine-gun fire and succeeded in clearing a path to the enemy. Continuing to sweep enemy positions with his fire and inflicting an extremely high number of casualties… then seen to fall to the ground shot dead” (Australian Government Department of Defence 2012). Kingsbury’s exhibit of initiative as he acts without thinking and blindly attacks, gaining significant progress for the Australians and ultimately making the greatest sacrifice, clearly demonstrates his immense bravery and courage as
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.
middle of paper ... ... After I was disposed of, the corporal then made the majority of the 27 sufferers march with the rest of the troops. Most of the men, including an Australian chaplain, died during succeeding weeks, largely as a result of this calculated brutality.’ (Iggulden, 2009, p.22)
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.
It is apparent that the topic of war is difficult to discuss among active duty soldiers and civilians. Often times, citizens are unable to understand the mental, physical, and physiological burden service members experience. In Phil Klay’s Ten Kliks South, the narrator struggles to cope with the idea that his artillery team has killed enemy forces. In the early stages of the story, the narrator is clearly confused. He understands that he did his part in firing off the artillery rounds, yet he cannot admit to killing the opposition. In order to suppress his guilt and uncertainty, our narrator searches for guidance and reassurance of his actions. He meets with an old gunnery sergeant and during their conversation, our narrator’s innocence
Although, most of it is accounted by the war itself, the suffering of many Australian veterans had much to do with...
“Kiowa was gone. He was under the mud and water, folded in with the war…” (O’Brien, 155). Many soldiers in war may lose an extremity or get bumps and bruises, but Kiowa did not make it out so lucky. Lieutenant Cross got commands to take the route he knew was much
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.
A natural response to such a violent environment is to simply behave in a way that portrays no weakness. If the soldier does not show any signs of weakness, he finds it much easier to convince himself that he can survive by his strength. In asserting his control over himself by hiding all of his weaknesses, h...
One of the worst things about war is the severity of carnage that it bestows upon mankind. Men are killed by the millions in the worst ways imaginable. Bodies are blown apart, limbs are cracked and torn and flesh is melted away from the bone. Dying eyes watch as internal organs are spilled of empty cavities, naked torso are hung in trees and men are forced to run on stumps when their feet are blown off. Along with the horrific deaths that accompany war, the injuries often outnumber dead men. As Paul Baumer witnessed in the hospital, the injuries were terrifying and often led to death. His turmoil is expressed in the lines, “Day after day goes by with pain and fear, groans and death gurgles. Even the death room I no use anymore; it is too small.” The men who make it through the war take with them mental and physical scarification from their experiences.
During WWII many Australians risked their lives and put others before themselves in honour of their country. Weary Dunlop was a man who displayed true ANZAC spirit, he worked as a doctor with the A.I.F (Australian Imperial Force), until he was taken prisoner by the Japanese in Java in March of 1942 when the hospital he was working in was captured. Weary not only became a POW (prisoner of war) but saved many lives gaining respect from his peers in a variety of camps in the region. His work during the war built himself a future legacy that Australia still acknowledges today.
As a young and newly developed nation, we hadn’t been faced with an opportunity to participate in a world event and show other countries what we were truly capable of. This was Australia’s first opportunity to stand up and prove itself as a nation. It established us as a nation of people with many commendable qualities. Australians became legendary for our mateship, our integrity, our resourcefulness, fairness and our willingness to stand up and fight for our country and freedom. These are the contributions our Australian forces made for our nation in
The battle of Kokoda is recognized as being one of the most celebrated and significant battle fought by the ANZAC'S because of the fear of the looming invasion by the Japanese at the time of Kokoda. Australian's were threatened by the Japanese after hearing about monstrosities such as Nanjing Massacre. 20sec (5)
The Australians were significantly challenged by conditions at Kokoda. The Kokoda Trail was a path that linked Ower’s Corner, approximately 40km north-east of Port Moresby. Jungle warfare seemed to be one of the highest reasons as to why this is true.
These stories often focus on the ANZAC values of courage, valour, mateship, decency and a willingness to do the right thing, leading to a sentimentalised and often untrue account of historical events being recounted (McKenna, 2007). The remembrance of a positive history has led to an emphasis on and glorification of Australian military engagement, particularly in relation to its place within constructions of Australian National Identity. Nevertheless, these stories and images often embody the infamous “underdog” spirit so commonly linked with Australian National Identity. Stories and images from World War 2, particularly Kokoda and the military engagement with the Japanese in Papua New Guinea, have largely cemented the idea of Australia rising to victory against the odds in Australian National Identity (McKenna, 2007). The Gallipoli Campaign has also contributed to the notion of Australian’s as underdogs however its impact has been less influential in reinforcing the idea in relation to Australian National Identity (McKenna, 2007). Thus, through the idolisation of the ANZACs and their values, images and stories of war now feature heavily on concepts of Australian National