what was the cause of the kokoda campaign

What was the cause of the Kokoda campaign Quizlet?

What was the cause of the Kokoda campaign? The main direct cause of the fighting along the Kokoda track can be attributed to the Battle of the Coral Sea. This battle took place between the 5-8th May 1942 off the east coast of New Guinea, in response to the Japanese plan of taking the islands Tulagi and Deboyne as well as Port Moresby.

Who was in charge of the Kokoda campaign?

Kokoda track campaign. The Commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific was the American General Douglas MacArthur, who was based in Melbourne. He criticised the Australian forces for retreating along the Kokoda Track, and commanders who were unable to stop the Japanese were quickly replaced.

How was Australia threatened during the Kokoda campaign?

Before the Kokoda campaign, Australia had already been threatened including during (through) the bombing of Darwin, Broome and Townsville as well when the Japanese attack of Sydney Harbour.

What did Sir Thomas Blamey say about the Kokoda campaign?

He criticised the Australian forces for retreating along the Kokoda Track, and commanders who were unable to stop the Japanese were quickly replaced. The commander of the Australian forces, General Sir Thomas Blamey, was unpopular with his men. On one occasion, he accused his own soldiers of ‘running like rabbits’ after an unsuccessful battle.

What was the effect of the Kokoda campaign?

On the 22 of January 1943, the long fought Kokoda Campaign ended in defeat for the Japanese. This bloody battle had lasted six months and it was one of the most difficult campaigns fought on land in the Pacific region. Australia lost 2,165 troops and 3,533 men were wounded.

What were the key events of the Kokoda campaign?

Chronology of the War in the South West Pacific7 December 1941 (8 December in Australia) ... 3 January 1942. ... 21 January 1942 – Madang, Lae and Salamua Bombed. ... 23 January 1942 – Rabaul Attacked. ... 24 January 1942 – Bougainville Bombed. ... 29 January 1942. ... 3 February – Air Raids on Port Moresby.More items...

How did Kokoda affect Australia?

The Kokoda Trail had taken a heavy toll of the men on both sides who were engaged in the fighting. More than 600 Australian lives had been lost, and over a thousand sustained wounds in battle; perhaps as many as three times the number of combat casualties had fallen ill during the campaign.

Who won the Kokoda campaign?

Kokoda Track campaignSoldiers of the Australian 39th Battalion in September 1942Date 21 July – 16 November 1942 Location Territory of Papua Result Allied victoryBelligerentsAustralia United StatesJapan7 more rows

What was Japan's initial plan to invade Port Moresby?

Japan’s initial plan was to invade Port Moresby through a seaward assault which was no longer possible due to their 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.

What would happen if the Japanese captured Port Moresby?

If the Japanese succeeded in capturing Port Moresby, their plan would be to use it as a base in which they would have complete control over Australian airspace. Japan could then potentially isolate Australia from the U.S and the rest of the world carry out a bombing of North Queensland and an invasion of the Australian mainland.

Why did the Australians fear the Japanese?

The Australians feared that the Japanese would be able to attack through Southeast Asia to take possession of raw materials easily if Britain was preoccupied by a war in Europe. This fear was developed before World War 2 even began and it became a reality in 1942.

What did the Japanese do with Kokoda?

Possession of Kokoda gave the Japanese control of the only airfield between Port Moresby and the Japanese landing area. On August 8 Maroubra Force launched a counterattack from Deniki and attempted to retake Kokoda but was unsuccessful.

How long was the Kokoda track?

With the sea route to southern New Guinea closed, the Japanese planned to launch an overland campaign south across the Owen Stanley Range via a 60-mile (96-km) mountain trail known as the Kokoda Track. The trail ran from the village of Kokoda, on the northeastern slopes of the range, to a position known as Owers’ Corner ...

What happened in 1942?

Deadly air raids on Darwin (February 19, 1942) and Broome (March 3, 1942) brought the war to mainland Australia, and it seemed as if an invasion of the Northern Territory were a very real possibility.

What was the result of the Battle of the Coral Sea?

In the resulting Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4–8, 1942), the Japanese won a tactical victory but lost so many aircraft that they were forced to abandon their invasion plan and return to Rabaul. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now.

Where did the Japanese take over the Bismarck Archipelago?

With their conquest of the Bismarck Archipelago complete, the Japanese next set their sights on Port Moresby, on the southern coast of New Guinea. Control of the port would expand the Japanese sphere of influence to the Coral Sea and disrupt the Allied line of communication between the United States and Australia.

Which country administered the Bismarck Archipelago?

After World War I, northeastern New Guinea—theretofore the German colonial territory of Kaiser Wilhelms Land—and the Bismarck Archipelago were made a League of Nations mandate to be administered by Australia.

What would happen if Japan overtook Port Morseby?

If the Japanese overtook Port Morseby, they would be close enough to easily invade Australia. The Kokoda campaign started when Japan began to conquer all of Asia and then to invade Papua New Guinea and possibly Australia if they weren’t stopped.

What would happen if the Torres Strait and Timor Sea were open?

The Torres Strait and the Timor Sea would no longer be open, preventing Allied shipping passing through.

What was the Kokoda track campaign?

Kokoda Track campaign. ~ 4,500 including sick. The Kokoda Track campaign or Kokoda Trail campaign was part of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign consisted of a series of battles fought between July and November 1942 in what was then the Australian Territory of Papua. It was primarily a land battle, between the Japanese South Seas ...

Where is Kokoda located?

The village of Kokoda is positioned on a plateau in northern foot-hills of the Owen Stanley Range. It overlooks the Yodda Valley (formed by the Mambare River) to its north. The Mambare runs roughly south-east to north-west. Kokoda is approximately 100-kilometre (62 mi) direct line from the coastal village of Buna, which formed part of the Japanese beachhead positions occupied on their landing. However, the overland route was approximately 160 kilometres (100 mi). The track to the coast crosses the Kumusi River at Wairopi, approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of Kokoda. The river was spanned there by a wire-rope bridge (Wairopi being Pidgin for wire rope). There was a wide track leading from there to the coast which the Japanese subsequently set about developing as a road for vehicle traffic.

How far is Kokoda from Buna?

Kokoda is approximately 100-kilometre (62 mi) direct line from the coastal village of Buna, which formed part of the Japanese beachhead positions occupied on their landing. However, the overland route was approximately 160 kilometres (100 mi).

Where was the Australian pursuit?

The Australian pursuit encountered strong opposition from well-prepared positions around Templeton's Crossing and Eora Village from 11 to 28 October. Following the unopposed recapture of Kokoda, a major battle was fought around Oivi and Gorari from 4 to 11 November, resulting in a victory for the Australians.

What diseases were in New Guinea?

Operations in New Guinea were impacted by tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, scrub typhus, tropical ulcers, dysentery from a range of causes and fungal infections. Walker observes that the Kokoda Track "starts and ends with malaria". Malarial vectors were substantially absent from the cooler, higher elevations along the track. Most cases observed in these areas were relapses rather than primary infections. The immediate vicinity of Port Moresby is relatively dry. While this tends to mitigate the risk of malaria, significant rates of the disease were observed in troops, mainly militia, sent to New Guinea for defence of the port, leading up to the campaign. The risk from malaria was particularly high for troops operating in the coastal area around the southern end of the track and when the Australian forces had been forced back to Imita Ridge. AIF units returning from the Middle East were more aware of the threat this disease posed and arrived with supplies of quinine. For these reasons, the disease did not have the same degree of significance or impact on operations as it did at Milne Bay or the subsequent operations at Buna–Gona.

What was the economy of Papua in 1942?

There had been little development and it was largely devoid of infrastructure beyond that around Port Moresby. The pre-war economy was based primarily upon copra and rubber—with plantations established intermittently in coastal regions—and mining. The administrative centre of Port Moresby had basic airfield and port facilities. There were no roads beyond the vicinity of Port Moresby and, by modern standards, these were little more than tracks. As a result, travel north of Port Moresby was largely undertaken by air, or sea. There were a few landing fields around Port Moresby, with others on the northern side of the Owen Stanley Range at the government stations of Buna and Kokoda.

Where did the Japanese attack in 1942?

Japanese forces landed and established beachheads near Gona and Buna on 21 July 1942. Opposed by Maroubra Force, then consisting of four platoons of the 39th Battalion and elements of the Papuan Infantry Battalion, they quickly advanced and captured Kokoda and its strategically vital airfield on 29 July. Despite reinforcement, the Australian forces were continually pushed back. The veteran Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) 21st Brigade narrowly avoided capture in the Battle of Mission Ridge – Brigade Hill from 6 to 8 September. In the Battle of Ioribaiwa from 13 to 16 September, the 25th Brigade under Brigadier Kenneth Eather fought the Japanese to a halt but ceded the field to the Japanese, withdrawing to Imita Ridge.

When did the Japanese capture Kokoda?

On 29 July 1942, the Japanese captured the village of Kokoda and its vital airfield. The 39th Battalion retook but failed to hold the village (9 -10 August 1942 and fought a desperate holding action at Deniki (13 - 14 August 1942 before falling back and digging in at Isurava.

How many Australians died in the Battle of Kokoda?

The price had been high. 624 Australians were dead and 1,023 wounded. The Japanese counted their casualties in the thousands.

What was the name of the Japanese campaign that began in 1942?

Kokoda Campaign. When the first Japanese troops began to push over the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby, the only soldiers opposing them were Victorian militiamen of the 39th Infantry Battalion and the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB). These troops engaged the Japanese at Awala on 23 July 1942 but were heavily outnumbered and withdrew soon after.

When did the Australian Imperial Force arrive in Isurava?

The Victorian 2/14th Battalion arrived at Isurava on 26 August 1942. These Australian Imperial Force (AIF) veterans of the Syrian campaign were the spearhead of the crack 21st Brigade and arrived just as the Japanese renewed their offensive.

What was the purpose of the Kokoda track?

Their objective was to make their way overland along the Kokoda track and capture Port Moresby on the southern coast. This would give them control of Papua, and a base from which to attack the Australian mainland and shipping in the Pacific.

How many Australian troops died in the Kokoda attack?

They defeated the Japanese, but Allied casualties were extremely high. Overall, more than 600 Australian troops died in fighting throughout the Kokoda operation, and more than 1600 were wounded. Over 4,000 soldiers suffered from tropical diseases. Estimates of the Japanese dead are uncertain, but are probably even higher than the Allied casualties, because of the Japanese military tradition of committing suicide rather than surrendering.

What was the name of the country that the Japanese invaded?

Normally, conscripted Australian troops could not be used outside Australia, but because Papua was Australian territory, conscripts were sent to fight along the Kokoda track.

How long does it take to walk the Kokoda track?

Today, without the obstacles of wartime, and with a professional guide, it takes about eight days to walk the Kokoda track.

How long did the Kokoda track last?

Much of it can only be travelled on foot, which meant that all supplies and heavy equipment had to be carried. The Kokoda action lasted until November 1942 and is remembered as one of the most difficult operations by Australian troops in World War II.

Was the Japanese attack successful?

At first, the Japanese attack was successful. Despite winning some hard-fought battles, Australian troops were forced to retreat towards Port Moresby. Supplies ran short and tropical diseases such as malaria reduced the fighting ability of the men. There were few stretchers to carry the wounded, and even badly wounded men were forced to walk. The indigenous Papuan population had suffered badly at the hands of the Japanese, and many were fiercely loyal to the Australian forces: they cared for the retreating wounded Australian soldiers, who nicknamed them ‘fuzzy-wuzzy angels’.

Who filmed the Kokoda campaign?

This emotional documentary was filmed by the Australian war photographer Damien Parer and shared the Academy Award for best documentary in 1943. Parer was killed in September 1944 on the island of Peleliu.

Where was the station at Kokoda?

The advance guard quickly pushed inland to capture the station at Kokoda in the northern foothills of the towering Owen Stanley Ranges, just shy of 100km (60 miles) inland from Papua’s north shore.

What was the name of the Japanese force that attacked Port Morseby?

As the Australians were hastily turning Port Morseby into a forward base, in July the Japanese tried a new tack. They landed an invasion force, the Nankai Shitai (South Seas Detachment), comprising the 144th and 44th infantry regiments and a contingent of engineers under the command of Major General Horii Tomitaro, on 21 July 1942.

How did Bissett die?

Bissett died after he was hit by a burst of machine gun fire at Isu rava. He died in the arms of his brother, Lt Stan Bissett. Image Courtesy of The Australian War Memorial. Singapore had fallen. Darwin had been bombed. Indonesia had been taken. Australia was under direct attack, and many feared a Japanese invasion.

What was Horri ordered to do?

Although an advance on Morseby was planned on 25 September, Horri was ordered to retreat. The Japanese high command had decided to focus their resources on fighting the Americans on Guadalcanal. Like many of his men, Horri would not survive the campaign.

How many men were in the B Company at Kokoda?

After a seven-day march, B Company’s 120 men arrived at Kokoda in mid-July, and after some initial platoon-level skirmishing with the Japanese vanguard beyond the plateau, fell back to defend the airstrip.

Which country captured Rabaul?

The Japanese had already captured Rabaul with its magnificent harbour in January and tried to take Port Moresby in neighbouring Papua in a failed sea-borne invasion in May.

Why was the Battle of Kokoda important?

There are several reasons for this being so, the first being that; · the Kokoda campaign saved Australia from possible invasion or from isolation - Port Moresby had a strong tactical position, it was highly important to prevent the Japanese from reaching it.

What did Australia learn from Kokoda?

Australia had learned a great amount from their Kokoda experience and had made them improve their strategic thinking. They also learned to not rely just on naval defences and realised that they cannot just let other countries do the fighting. Their solutions to problems with working together with a large ally. All these improvements and the realisation that we had to fight for ourselves, later led to the commitment of forces during the Malayan Emergency, Vietnam and to Borneo during Confrontation.

Why was Port Moresby important?

Port Moresby was an extremely important tactical position as it had an airfield. At the Port it could have been used as the base for the sending of armies across sea to invade land as it was very close to Australia (known as an amphibious operation). Recently, Japan had also launched amphibious operations to other countries that were the same distance from Port Moresby to North Queensland. So it is quite obvious that Australia’s saving of Port Moresby, due to Kokoda was the highest significance in the protection of Australia.

Why is the Kokoda track important?

The Kokoda track is also significant in a symbolic sense. When Australians remember the First World War they think of the landing at Gallipoli. When they think of the Second World War they think of the Kokoda Campaign. Neither of these events was necessarily the greatest of our contributions to the World Wars but both events have most definitely captured the Australian imagination. Each year five thousand Australians take up the mentally and physically challenging along the Kokoda trail/track.

How did the Battle of Kokoda save Australia?

The battle of Kokoda had definitely saved Australia form the threat of invasion and most likely from isolation and possibly forced into surrender. Today, most have come to the conclusion that Japan would not have invaded Australia, but back then at that time it everyone had believed that they were going to. Before the Kokoda campaign, Australia had already been threatened including during (through) the bombing of Darwin, Broome and Townsville as well when the Japanese attack of Sydney Harbour. During this time Australian citizens were worried about their safety as even if the Japanese hadn’t invaded then, there still would have been constant danger in Australia.

What was the battle that ended Japan's dominance and allowed the Allies to go on the offence to defend?

Kokoda was the battle that ended Japan’s dominance and allowed the Allies to go on the offence to defend themselves. ‘The territory seized (in the last battles of Kokoda ) became the springboard for Mac Arthur to continue the offensive he had planned over six monthers earlier’ (Horner)

Overview

The Kokoda Track campaign or Kokoda Trail campaign was part of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign consisted of a series of battles fought between July and November 1942 in what was then the Australian Territory of Papua. It was primarily a land battle, between the Japanese South Seas Detachment under Major General Tomitarō Horii and Australian and Papuan land forces under command of New Guinea Force. The Japanese objective was to seize Port Moresby by an …

Background

Campaign

First phase – Japanese advance

Interlude – Imita Ridge

Second phase – Australian counter-offensive

Advance on Buna–Gona

Aftermath