Lindsay, P. (2006). The spirit of Kokoda then and now. Sydney: Vision Australia Information and Library Service.

Macinnis, P. (2007). Kokoda track: 101 days. Fitzroy, Vic., Australia: Black Dog Books.

H. (2008, September 15). Retrieved August 28, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc1G2pEzLl8

The Anzac Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/history/conflicts/kokoda-track

Kokoda Trail Campaign. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E291
Kokoda Trail Map. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2018, from https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiMj-WtwJbdAhWCQN4KHfJbBjkQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https://hellopapuanewguinea.weebly.com/blog/category/assignment&psig=AOvVaw23ugfiAhXSxXhQDKeZ6GBp&ust=1535777775229569

The first Japanese attempt to take Port Moresby by sea was disrupted by the battle of the Coral Sea, because of this the Japanese decided to attack by land, by advancing along the Kokoda Trail. On the 21st of July 1942, Soldiers of the South Detachment landed at Gona, intending to test whether the Kokoda Trail could be use as a means for advancing via land. Soon a full-scale offensive developed, leading to the first fighting which occurred on the 23rd of July at Awala between the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion and part of the Papuan Infantry Battalion.

Even though Japanese control of Port Moresby would never be a precursor to an attempt to invade Australia, the Allies eventual victory on the Kokoda Trail guaranteed that bases in northern Australia, were not seriously threatened by the Japanese.

Significance: It was well known within the Japanese army that “New Guinea is where no one come back alive”. The documentary about the Japanese perspective on Kokoda was created to educate Australians about the other side of the Kokoda story. The Japanese were taught that the “Japanese were being very evil”, but there is always another side to the story.

Significance: Firstly, the Kokoda Campaign saved Australia from possible invasion, or more precisely from being isolated from the United States of America. Scendly, Kokoda was the battle that lead to victory in the Second World War, as well as to improvement of Australia’s post-war practices and military operations.

Significance: The Kokoda Trail inflicted horrid consequences on both Allied and Japanese soldiers.The infamous “trail” was nothing more than a track that link villages and towns in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. The trail is over 154km in length, joining the northern and southern coasts of the island, as well as passing through the village of Kokoda on the northeastern slopes of the Owen Stanley mountain range. The trails is infested by fast flowing rivers, rough mountain passes, some rising almost vertically. The risk of diseases such as malaria and scrub typhus were exceedingly common. During the horrendous campaign, both the Japanese and the Allied forces suffered more casualties from the rough environment than from the battle itself.

The Australian force couldn’t hold back the Japanese even with the steady support by the battalions of the 30st and 21st Brigades. This was mainly due to a severe lack of any jungle warfare tactics, being poorly equipped and the long and difficult supply line behind them. The Australians eventually were forced to withdraw along the Trail. They ultimately stopped on the 17th of September at Imita ridge, where there was just 8km between the Australians and Port Moresby.

This location gave the Australians a clear tactical advantage, the Australian artillery was in range, and their supplies could be easily trucked to them. The Japanese, however had to transport their supplies all the way from the north coast of the Papua. The Japanese were hit by large losses on Guadalcanal once the Americans landed there. The South Seas Detachment was eventually told to retreat to the north coast for defensive purposes. Then the Australian 25th Brigade edge forward from Imita ridge on 23 of September causing the Japanese to retreat even further. The Japanese were slowly chased back to the north coast where the last fighting occurred at Gona, Buna and Sanananda.

Cause and Consequence: The emotional impact of Kokoda was immense. One soldier recalled that “each time the Commander called a soldier’s name, I had to repeat ‘he was killed in action’. As I spoke I couldn’t hold back my tears”. Japanese veterans had no chance to talk about their experiences, causing a vast emotional consequence which is obviously still felt today, evident through the emotion visible on the faces of the soldiers. A third soldier recalls how hard it was “leaving wounded friends behind and running away”.

Cause and Consequence: The Japanese wanted to attack through Southeast Asia to take possession of raw materials. Japan defeat in the battle of the Coral Sea. As a second attempt to successfully capture the objective, the Japanese decided to execute a military attack on land over the Owen Stanley Ranges through the Kokoda Track. Australia won