Kokoda Battle Maps
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2nd Kokoda
Second engagement at Kokoda: 8 August 1942
After the first Kokoda engagement on the night of 28/29 July, the Australians retreated to Deniki. Both sides awaited reinforcements. With the death of Owen at Kokoda Major Cameron arrived to take over Maroubra Force. more ... -
Isurava
The stand at Isurava: 26-31 August 1942
In late August both the Australians and the Japanese were greatly reinforced and prepared for a decisive battle at Isurava. While the Japanese were victorious they failed to achieve their main objective - the total destruction of Maroubra Force. more ... -
Eora 1
From Eora to Templeton's Crossing: 31 August to 5 September 1942
As a result of the defeat at Isurava the Australians withdrew rapidly south along the Kokoda track.Covering the withdrawal was a large rearguard composed of 2/16 and 2/14 Battalions. more ... -
Efogi
Disaster at Efogi 8 September 1942
Better known in Australia as the battle of Mission Ridge-Brigade Hill, Efogi was, following Isurava, the next attempt to halt the Japanese advance. Again the Japanese were able to defeat the Australians by cutting the Kokoda track in their rear. more ... -
Ioribaiwa
Action at Ioribaiwa Ridge: 14-16 September 1942
At Ioribaiwa, forty kilometres from Port Moresby, the Australians assembled for battle their largest force so far in the fighting in Papua. The Japanese attacked and, for the last time, drove the Australians from their position. more ... -
Eora 2
Australian advance to Eora: 13-27 October 1942
After the Japanese retreat from Ioribaiwa Ridge they dug in to defend a series of positions along the Kokoda track from Templeton's Crossing to Eora village ... there the Australians, in their first victory on the Kokoda track, overcame the Japanese ... more ... -
Oivi Gorari
The decisive moment: Oivi-Gorari 10 November 1942
As a result of the decisive defeat suffered by the Japanese at Oivi-Gorari they abandoned their plan to take Port Moresby and turned their attention to holding their base at Buna-Gona. more ... -
Buna-Gona 1
The Battle of the Beachheads: November 1942
Anxious to seize the Japanese base in the Gona - Buna area before the arrival of Japanese reinforcements the Allies attempted a coup de main - a sudden bold attack - that would have succeeded... more ... -
Buna-Gona 2
The Battle of the Beachheads: December 1942
The balance of forces shifted in December. Allied air power prevented any Japanese reinforcements landing after the middle of the month while the capacity of the Allied supply line grew. more ... -
Buna-Gona 3
The Battle of the Beachheads: January 1943
By January 1943 it was apparent that the six month Japanese occupation of Papua was about to end... the defenders decided to abandon their defences and break out. more ... -
Milne Bay
Milne Bay: 26 August-6 September
Milne Bay is on the eastern tail of New Guinea. In 1942 aircraft based there could project air power towards a number of vital strategic locations: Port Moresby, Sanananda, Lae, far north Queensland and across the Coral Sea to the Solomon Islands. more ...
