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.
“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
Although, most of it is accounted by the war itself, the suffering of many Australian veterans had much to do with...
„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.
Firstly, the Kokoda Battle was an important event because of its cultural significance to Australia. The Kokoda track stands as an icon for Australian participation in the Second World War, just as Gallipoli serves the same purpose for the First World War. In 1942, the Australian Territories of Papua and New Guinea were in law if not in public sentiment, as much a part of Australia as the Northern Territory. It is then quite true to say that Australian soil was invaded by the Japanese in 1942. The main objective of this battle was for Japan to capture Port Moresby via the Kokoda track and from there they would control the Pacific. This war was also very significant because of the mateship, loyalty and hard work the Australians did to protect our country even when they were “flat out” of energy, as evidenced by this quote
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.
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
Eventually Australian reinforcements and heavier artillery came and intimidated the weakened Japanese militia- of whom were now far from their own supplies and suffered like the Australians had in the beginning, from their dugouts on Ioribaiwa ridge where they had planned to stay for defences and caused them to retreat6. In short term, the success of the Australians in recapturing Kokoda and defending Port Moresby allowed the allied forces to intercept Japanese shipping and supply runs easier due to the strategic setting of Moresby and the Islands near that the American had taken to intercept shipping. Casualties were extremely high and could have been much easier to avoid if ample training and time had taken place, even for just the supply boys – the Chockos, of whom were the bravest of the lot and the only men to receive medals for gallantry within the Kokoda campaign for their efforts and bravery. Long term, the Kokoda campaign was practically the beginning of guerrilla warfare as the Australians go. The way the defence force adapted to the campaign through bettering their training and supply hauls certainly helped the Australian military for the
There were a vast array of people from different regions that were involved in the Kokoda campaign. The two that had the biggest impact on Kokoda were the Japanese and Australians. The Japanese had a plan to capture Port Moresby to protect their base at Rabaul and this is what caused Australians to fight back, as Port Moresby was Australia’s territory. Papuan’s and American’s were also involved in the campaign, fighting against the Japanese and with the Australian’s. 18,000 Papuan’s, also known as The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels were involved in the Kokoda campaign. Majority of the 18,000 were carries of supplies for the troops and they played a vital role in this battle. As the number of sick and/or wounded troops increased, Papuan men also carried
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)
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 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.
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...
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
This is clear evidence that war is really tough and soldiers experience a lot when fighting out there. There is a lot of psychological torture which these soldiers experience. They place their lives on the line just to fight for their nation and people. Junger recounts an experience where soldiers have to expose themselves just to save injured comrades. This is indeed a courageous act considering the fact that there are gun shots all over and any minute a bullet can land on anyone. It is indeed the highest risk that could ever be taken. For those who survive, it is simply luck. Junger notes that the soldiers look out for each other (Junger 56). The soldiers have a very strong connection with each other and it is common to hear some admitting that they could die if their comrade gets killed. J...