In July and August 1942 McDonald’s Corner was recognized as the beginning of the Kokoda Track. This was where the plantation road came to an end and slogging it by foot began. Nearby was the village of Ilolo ( left ), and it was here in July 1942 that groups of native carriers, needed to support the Australian advance into the mountains, were brought together. Later as the campaign progressed Ilolo became a major rest, refit and recuperation area for troops returning from duty on the Kokoda Track.

It was from Ilolo that Lieutenant Kienzle, of the Australian and New Guinea Administrative Unit and the carriers set out to establish staging camps along the Kokoda Track. Staging camps were established at approximately 16 kilometer intervals, which meant that theoretically it would take about eight days to cross the mountains to Kokoda.

Imita Ridge ( left )- looking ENE to Ioribaiwa Ridge- the furthest advance of the Japanese toward Port Moresby- 27 miles away as the crow flies. The valley between the two ridge lines became a hotly disputed no mans land until the exhausted Japanese were finally forced to withdraw from Ioribaiwa Ridge.

Ioribaiwa Ridge ( right )- looking WSW toward Imita Ridge. By September 21 the valley between these 2 ridges had become a no man's land between the 2 forces. Finally, in October 1942, the Japanese withdrew back toward Kokoda and the the Australian counter offensive got underway. Interestingly, the only artillery brought to bear by the Australians during the campaign was brought to bear against the Japanese entrenchments on Ioribaiwa Ridge. At extreme range, the two artillery pieces were fired with considerable accuracy from Ower's Corner, just behind the hill on the right in this view.

Menari Village ( left )- after major engagements down the river valley connecting Kagi, Efogi and Mission Ridge- this was the final gathering point of the troops withdrawing from Mission Ridge. From here on September 11th, the Australians withdrew to Ioribaiwa, and subsequently to Imita Ridge after being unable to consolidate a position on Ioribaiwa.

Efogi Village ( right )- Efogi was a small village on the southern slopes of the Owen Stanley Ranges and was the fourth staging post where many troops stopped overnight as they advanced over the Kokoda Track. The village, with an altitude of some 2,000 meters was in a large river valley across which could be seen the next nights stop at Kagi, a hard days climb away. Australians withdrew through Efogi to make a stand just south at Mission Ridge- afterwards called Brigade and Butcher's Ridge.

 

Kagi Village ( left )- Kagi was another small village on the southern slopes of the Owen Stanleys and was the fifth staging post for troops transiting the Kokoda Track. It was the next post NE along the track from Efogi. This view looks SW in the direction of Efogi which is behind the slope on the right.

Myola Dry Lakes Strip- Taking off from Myola Dry Lakes. On the crest of the Owen Stanley Ranges, a few kilometers east of the main track, there were two dry lake beds. Realizing the need for a dropping ground for supplies, the Australians set out to explore this area and in early August 1942 reached the first dry lake, which was covered with kunai grass. It made a suitable dropping zone and train actions were put in place to set up a forward supply depot. The spot was named Myola after the wife of reconnoitering unit's commanding officer.

 

Myola Ridge- Cresting Myola Ridge ( below left ). Well dug-in Japanese Troops withdrawing through this spot needed to be cleared from this ridge before the dry lakes could be used as a resupply and evacuation strip. On 9 October Australian units moved forward to reconnoiter Myola and on 10 October bivouacked at Myola dry lake where they prepared another dropping ground. At nightfall of the 10th a forward patrol reported they had encountered strong position on a razorback ridge at the crest of the track. This Ridge would later be known as Myola Ridge. The action to clear this ridge was very tenacious on both sides as both knew that control of this position equaled control of the Myola dry lakes which were needed for the dropping of supplies and establishing medical bases. The Battle of Myola Ridge resulted in 100 Japanese killed and a significant but unknown number wounded. Australian losses were 21 killed and 48 wounded.

Eora Creek Gorge ( left )- this view is taken from above the crest of the Kokoda Track just beyond Myola Ridge and Templeton's Crossing. Visible down the gorge are Eora creek, around, over and through which both sides fought tenaciously during the Japanese advance from Buna and the Australian counter offensive from Port Moresby. Just Visible over the ridge line at top left is Kokoda Strip. Just over the crest where the track disappears is the outpost of Deniki- 3000 feet above the Yodda River Valley floor. Also, visible along the Eora Creek are Eora Village and Isurava.

 

 

Deniki ( right )- Deniki, a small village located about eight kilometers south of Kokoda, was the seventh staging post on the Kokoda Track. Higher than Kokoda ( by about 3000 feet), it was possible from Deniki to see into the Yodda River Valley and discern Kokoda strip. It was at Deniki during the Japanese advance that the Japanese reconnoitering forces halted and the retreating Australian forces were given a breather to bring in reinforcements over the track. By the end of August 1942, the initial Japanese forces in front of Deniki had been reinforced to almost 13,000 men. Faced with these lopsided odds ( the Australians at this point only fielded about 600 troops ), on August 13th the Australians pulled back to stronger positions at Isurava.

During the October-November counter offensive Deniki was free from fighting. The Japanese withdrew through here after the Battle of Eora Creek to take up positions east of Kokoda.

The view here looks north into the valley with Kokoda Strip and the village of Oivi visible in the upper left and right, respectively.

Left- Kokoda Drome heading East to Oivi and Gorari. Right- Kokoda Drome looking for gas! Other pictures of Kokoda Drome include: Looking Back at the Owen Stanleys; Check out those trees; Taking Off; Huts & Trees

 

 

 

 

 

Oivi Village ( left )- On the afternoon of July 26th 1942, during the withdrawal from the Gona-Buna area, the Australians, under the command of Capt. Sam Templeton, ambushed the advancing Japanese here at Oivi. During the night while checking on rear positions of the perimeter, Capt Templeton was killed. Later that night, the Australian and Papuan forces broke out of the Oivi perimeter and withdrew to positions beyond Kokoda high in the hills at the outpost of Deniki. The view here looks back down the track toward Kokoda and Eora Creek Gorge.

Oivi also figured in the Australian counter offensive. On November 2nd, after reoccupying Kokoda, Australian units encountered the Japanese units covering Oivi in the jungles south of the village. In a daring move the commander of the Australian forces sent units in a sweep south and east to attack Gorari ( right ), the next village held by the Japanese along the track to Buna. This attack was successful and with their line of supply and retreat cut, the Japanese at Oivi were forced to make their way as best they could north and east back to the coast. Not many ever made it. The view here looks east toward Wairopi.

Wairopi ( right )- here, about 20 miles from the coast, the Kokoda Track crossed the Kumusi River. The name Wairopi comes from the native pidgin for "wire rope". A bridge suspended from wire rope spanned the river at this point. The view here looks SW toward Kokoda.

 

Gona Mission ( left )- initial Japanese landings were made 1 km east of here on night of 21/22 July, 1942. This view looks east. In this view- the landing beach was between the two points of land just ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

Sanananda Point ( right )- Half way between Buna and Gona on the northern Papuan coast, was an uninviting desolate swamp area. It formed the center of the main Japanese defensive position in the final battles of the Papuan campaign. The Japanese commander concentrated most of his force in this area and took personal command here. The view here looks east toward Buna and Dobodura.

As Japanese resistance faded into this one last pocket, the Allied force north of the Owen Stanleys was built up. Airfields were built on the flat areas around Dobodura and Popondetta. All resistance by the Japanese in this sector ceased on 22 January 1943. The victory at Sanananda marked the end of a six month Papuan campaign.

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway- Kokoda Track Virtual Tour

The Kokoda Track- An Historical Account- Sequence of Events

 

Vet Net Australia- Australians In Papua

 

PAPUAN CAMPAIGN The Buna-Sanananda Operation 16 November 1942 - 23 January 1943

 

PAPUAN CAMPAIGN The Buna-Sanananda Operation 16 November 1942 -- 23 January 1943

 

The Kokoda Trail Campaign

 

The Kokoda Track- by Shane Thew

 

Kokoda veterans reflect on 75 years since battle