In 1942 the Battle of Kokoda was fought by thousands of brave Australians. Amongst them the 39th Battalion fought with raw ANZAC Spirit and were pivotal to the success of the battle. However, with essential field leadership and care from the native bearers, the 39th won the Battle of Kokoda for Australia and now are remembered as heroes.
The 39th Battalion was an inexperienced battalion, but brought with them a strong sense of mateship. They landed on the shores of Papua New Guinea as naïve young men, and without any knowledge of what’s to follow in the coming weeks. They boarded the ship ‘Aquitania’ and left for Papua New Guinea not knowing how to shoot a rifle, fight a war and had tennis rackets in their bags. Although the inexperience left
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The 39th suffered from a shocking ratio of 10 Japanese to every 1 Australian, along with suffering malaria and dysentery killing thousands of the soldiers whilst also dealing with low ammunition and food supplies “We were exhausted, utterly exhausted, completely exhausted.” They were young soldiers and “warn out by strenuous fighting and exhausting movement, and weakened by lack of food, sleep and shelter, many of them had literally come to a standstill” After the death of their first field commanding officer, Colonel Owen, they were resilient and made a strong withdraw to Isurava and met their new field commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner. Honner displayed outstanding leadership towards the battalion and knew that their terrible odds were going to be a struggle, but he kept them focused and determined on the task ahead, including the outstanding field leadership, the senior commanders in Australia, General Thomas Blamey and Douglas Macarthur had poor management and understanding of the battle and put immense pressures on Honner and the 39th. They were in charge of keeping what experienced soldiers we had, in Australia, although the Japanese were advancing, neglecting the needs and desperation of the 39th Battalion. Nevertheless Honner ignored the suicidal …show more content…
They had no reason to be loyal to them because they were often mistreated, but still protected our troops as no living soldier was ever abandoned by the carriers, not even during heavy combat, it was “…like the care of a nurse and the love of a mother”. The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, dragged the dead off the battlefield, carried the desperately wounded and walked with the able wounded, like Keith Norrish who struggled along for five days, with four bullets in his chest . The Angels of the track have been given the blessing of eternal gratitude from Australian Soldiers and many commemorative medals have been given to their family members in recognition of their service to Australian Servicemen. The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels protected the 39th Battalion during all of the fighting and added to the success of the
3 September 1939 when Australia joined the war playing a significant role in World War 2, winning a lot of their campaigns. Almost million Australians, both men and women helped win WW2 all over the world. The war started for Australia when Great Britain declared war on Germany. This lead to Australia fighting in Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, Japan in south-east Asia and other parts of the Pacific. Australia was involved in one of the most important battles in WWII, Kokoda track campaign in 1942. There are several reasons why this battle was so significant. Firstly, Kokoda track campaign stopped the invasion of Australia. Secondly, the Kokoda track campaign lead to the victory of WWII with the defeat of Japan. Lastly, the conditions that all the troops at the Kokoda campaign had to go through was atrocious and against the ally troop’s odds. This battle leads to the development of the nation. This is why Kokoda was the most important battle fought by the Australian’s in WWII.
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.
An example of one nursing officer’s experience under fire is from Sister Kelly’s diary from the Casualty Clearing Station at the Western Front....
The soldiers are remembered for maintaining courage and determination under hopeless conditions. The ANZAC legend owes much to wartime correspondents who used the Gallipoli landing to generate a specifically Australian hero. Among the many reports, which reached Australia, were those of Ashmead-Bartlett. His Gallipoli dispatches described Australians as a 'race of athletes ... practical above all', whose cheers, even in death, 'resounded throughout the night'. Ashmead-Bartlett helped in...
Throughout the battle, you see numerous Army Values and Warrior Ethos being used. “I will never leave a fallen comrade”, was the etho used the most, to reach the separated platoon. The battle also shows that not all tactical orders are effective, but as a leader you must never second guess yourself.
For centuries, war has broken families and caused scarring both physical and mental. Consequently, the futility of war has been universally accepted and Bruce Dawes powerful poems ‘Weapons Training’ and ‘Homecoming’ reveal this. Dawe creates an Australian insight to the training and consequences of the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was a long conflict Beginning in 1954 and ending in 1975. More than 3 million people were killed in the tragic War. Dawes ‘Weapons Training’ demonstrates the guidance of an abusive Sergeant whilst ‘Homecoming’ illustrates the shocking consequences and impact of war. Bruce Dawes powerful war poems, paired together, showcase a journey. One filled with harsh and vulgar training whilst the other proves that even training
The Battle of Long Tan took place on the 18th of August 1966 in a rubber plantation in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. The soldiers fought in very tough conditions; “the battle was like no other in that it occurred admits the trees and bushes of a rubber plantation,” (Parks, 2005). The plantation already gloomy was made darker by tropical downpour. Men were being killed by rifle and machine gun bullets, mortars and shrapnel from grenades fired into trees to blast splinters into the sheltering soldiers. The Australians were nearly surrounded, isolated and running out o...
The Anzac Legend is the source of the Aussie Fight and bravery that will live on for future generations to understand and to acknowledge their courage and bravery.
The battle of Gettysburg was the most important battle in the Civil War and in shaping our county. The Battle of Little Round Top was noted as the most important battle in the Battle of Gettysburg. Located in Gettysburg Pennsylvania is little round top which is the smaller of two hills south of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, between Emmetsburg and Taneytown roads. During the second day of the battel of Gettysburg, little round became a key location in winning the battel.
The Gallipoli campaign was a military disaster but it is still one of the most important conflicts in which Australia was involved. On 25th April 1915 between 4:30 and 6:30 am the Gallipoli Peninsula was invaded by British, Australian and New Zealand forces. This was to start the long, hard weeks in which the troops were fighting for ground that the enemy controlled in Turkey. They were attempting to gain a supply route to Russia to aid them in repelling the German and Turkish soldiers from their country. I will be discussing the willingness of Australians to volunteer for the war effort and the love and respect they had for their Mother Country, England. I will also discuss how the young, naive soldiers arrived at war not knowing what warfare entailed. They were shocked by the conditions and casualties. I will also discuss the bravery that was shown by the ANZACS in the most dangerous conditions. I will conclude with my reasons of why the Gallipoli campaign holds such value and importance in Australian history and ideology.
In World War 1 (WW1), 1914-1918, Australian troops became involved in order to give support to the "Mother Country". Great Britain only became involved after Germany did not respect the neutrality of Belgium. In the first world war, Australian soldiers participated in some of the bloodiest and most enduring battles known to man, and soon developed a courageous name for themselves. Of the 330 000 Aussie soldiers who took part in WW1, there were 211 500 casualties and over 60 000 deaths, a casualty rate much higher than that of several other participants.
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
The men of Reserve Police Battalion 101 were just ordinary men, from a variety of backgrounds, education, and age. It would appear that they were not selected by any force other than random chance. Their backgrounds and upbringing, however, did little to prepare these men for the horrors they were to witness and participate in.
War does leave people with all kinds of trauma as illustrated in the Bao Ninh’s short story “A Marker on the Side of the Boat” and Nicola Zavaglia’s documentary film Barbed Wire and Mandolins. When comparing the effectiveness of conveying the trauma of war towards the audiences, however, the short story “A Marker on the Side of the Boat” is more effective due to its well-developed plot and the emotional responses from the readers arising from the story.