Conditions
The famous Kokoda Trail runs 60 miles long! The trek is not easy either. As the Diggers discovered, it’s humid and hot in the jungle, but also freezing at night. Not to mention, malaria was widespread at the time. Once they stumbled upon what was a Japanese field hospital turned defensive stronghold, the battle broke out. Sadly, the Japanese who held the high ground were able to attack the Diggers with machine guns, but not without a fight.
Conditions
The Battle
That plateau just above Eora Creek had been a medical center for Japanese soldiers while they advanced on the Kokoda Track. This was during the beginning stages of the Pacific War. Just months later, the clash took place there, while the Japanese were in their tactical retreat, or as they referred to it, an “advance to the rear.” Thus, the armies met in battle in late October 1942, with the Japanese suffering a tremendous loss of hundreds of casualties. This battle stopped Japanese forces from getting to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea’s capital, which would have put the Japanese within striking distance of Australia. The Japanese were forced to flee the jungle.
The Battle