The recapture of Ioribaiwa by the Australians on 28 September 1942 marked a turning point in the campaign in Papua. Three days later General MacArthur issued orders for an Allied counter-offensive. Maroubra Force would counter-attack over the Kokoda Track; to the east, an American regiment would cross the little-used Jaure Trail; and from Milne Bay, Australian and American forces would secure the coast leading to Buna.
On the Kokoda Track, the Japanese were in a pitiable state. Major General HORII had lost 80 per cent of his men killed, wounded or sick, and the remainder were famished, ill and weary. Unable to carry much, they left a trail of discarded equipment and comrades who were too badly wounded or sick to carry on; these men were expected to die naturally or commit suicide.
The Australians did not pursue the Japanese vigorously. Expecting resistance, the two fresh brigades of Maroubra Force were nursed forward (battalions departing at daily intervals) to conserve the energy of troops and carriers as far as possible. Most of the Papuans who had carried in the retreat were too exhausted and dispirited to carry again – dozens had deserted after reaching Ilolo – but hundreds more had now been employed.
Tracks had been churned by the battle and further by the Japanese retreat. In many places mud was "knee-deep with vice-like grip". The repetitive ascents and descents with a heavy load tested the strength and resolve of troops and carriers alike.
Australian patrols passed through Nauro, Efogi and Kagi virtually unopposed and on 9 October reached Myola. Allied officers were surprised that the Japanese had retreated so far, and there was some hope that Kokoda might be recaptured in a few days. However, while venturing towards Templeton’s Crossing the patrols met resistance on both the Myola and Efogi branches of the Kokoda Track.
The Japanese were so short of rations that some had resorted to cannibalism, yet the rearguard was primed to fight tenaciously. Slit-trenches and bunkers, often housing a "wood-pecker" heavy machine-gun, were skillfully sited and camouflaged. The Australians, still struggling to adapt to jungle warfare, endeavoured to spot small signs like an unnaturally placed branch or discoloured leaf but often their first indication of the Japanese was a sniper’s bullet or a burst of machine-gun fire. The subsequent actions were desperate and costly. The Australians would attack using small arms and grenades, occasionally with mortar support, but many of the Japanese were sick men left to fight to the death.
Aside from battle casualties, many men fell victim to diseases or complaints including malaria, stomach disorders, tinea and dysentery. It was impossible to control the latter when positions, tracks and campsites were plastered with mud blended with faeces and rotting flesh. By 20 October, after a week of fighting, the attacking 25th Brigade had lost 68 men with a further 135 wounded, with another 771 evacuated sick. (Japanese casualties are unknown). In addition, many Papuans dropped out sick and exhausted (or deserted) after carrying for many days over rough and muddy tracks with little rest, no shelter at night and a poor diet of mostly rice.
The Japanese retreated to Eora Creek where they occupied the most favourable terrain for defence along the Kokoda Track. Steep ridges hindered encirclement, and mountain artillery and mortars had been pre-ranged to harass the Australians. The 16th Brigade took over the attack but, in its first jungle battle, made slow progress. Carrier lines buckled as more Papuans fell sick or deserted. The 16th Brigade’s men, also weakened by battle casualties and a wave of sickness, could not get enough food and the attack stalled.
Generals MacArthur and Blamey, irritated by the lack of progress, berated Maroubra Force’s commander, Major General A. S. Allen, and on 27 October replaced him. In fact, the Japanese had begun withdrawing.
The Japanese retreated beyond Kokoda to Oivi-Gorari, their last stronghold on the Kokoda Track. The 25th Brigade reoccupied Kokoda on 2 November and soon transport aircraft were flying in much-needed supplies and equipment. In a fitting ceremony, the new commander of Maroubra Force, Major General George Vasey, assembled hundreds of Papuan carriers and thanked them for their efforts, awarding several loyal service medals. The Papuans promptly returned to work supporting the 16th Brigade’s attack on Oivi-Gorari.
Hundreds of wounded and sick men remained at Myola where two field ambulances had established makeshift hospitals. No carriers could be spared to evacuate them. Staff appealed for aerial evacuations but neither the RAAF nor USAAF had aircraft capable of landing and taking-off with a load in the rarefied air of the mountains. Finally, in late October, after suitable aircraft arrived, some patients were evacuated but the aircraft later crashed and most of the men eventually had to make their own way to Ilolo or waited until December to be carried out.
Rather than continue with a difficult and potentially costly uphill attack against Oivi, Vasey ordered a daring encirclement manoeuvre by the 25th Brigade, which had rested briefly at Kokoda. On 11 November, two battalions broke into the Japanese stronghold and within two days it was overrun. Fighting was fierce and frenetic, with Australian patrols frequently running into groups of Japanese attempting to break out. Small numbers of Japanese reached Buna but most died at Oivi-Gorari or in the jungle. HORII drowned while attempting to escape to the coast on a raft.
After the battle, the 16th and 25th Brigades were down to one-third of their normal strength. They received no reinforcements. The 25th Brigade continued the advance to the Kumusi River, marking the northern boundary of the Owen Stanley Range. By 17 November, both brigades had crossed the river. The battle on the Kokoda Track was thus ended.
Separate forces converged on Buna. The American battalion trekking across the Jaure Trail encountered no opposition but described its action as "one green hell", so hard was the going. On 5 October the Australian 2/10th Battalion was flown from Milne Bay to Wanigela, an unoccupied landing strip, and another battalion mopped up Japanese stragglers on Goodenough Island. The American 126th and 128th Regiments were flown over the mountains and, with the Australian 2/6th Independent Company, completed the coastal advance towards Buna.
Kokoda (part 2):
Overview text Longer text Images Readings Jack Lloyd MIYASHITA TetsunosukeClick images to enlarge.
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