GC- Kokoda Remembered

[Mad Aussie]

Between July 25 and Nov 3 1942 the Australian troops fought a bloody battle in the wet, muddy jungle on Papua New Guinea. The Japanese Army was moving south with every intention of invading Australia itself and we decided not to wait until they got here.

The Kokoda Track was a trail vital to supply lines and both sides needed it badly. The battles that occurred along this track during 1942 have been immortalized in movies and organized walks and tributes to the lives lost.

The following photos I took are of a 23 metre long, 5 metre high wall that was carved from plastercine, a mold was made, and then concrete poured to create the 'carving'.

A section of the wall
The rear of the wall is inscribed in bronze with a dedication to all who fought and supported the entire WWII campaign conducted in Papua New Guinea from 1942 to 1945 in the direct defence of Australia. It also offers details of the signifi cant points, villages and battles along the Track.


The Battle Section
This last panel depicts the height of one of the most crucial battles of the Kokoda Campaign, the Battle of Isurava. The relief of the 39th Battalion by the 2/14th Battalion at the most crucial of points in this decisive battle has been the subject of many texts.
However, this scene is also typical of the many fights, skirmishes and engagements throughout the entire campaign. It illustrates the determination, raw courage, commitment and selflessness so often displayed by soldiers on the Kokoda Track.
Overlooking Kokoda, this panel is about both the initial withdrawal and the ultimate victorious return to reoccupy the village and ultimately expel the invaders from the beaches of Buna and Gona.

[Mad Aussie]

Biscuit Bombers and Warriors Section
For the first time in modern warfare, aerial resupply was utilised to drop much needed supplies and ammunition to troops on the ground. Lake Myola was the fi rst dropping zone for this new method of basically wrapping supplies up in hessian and bundling them out the side door of the aircraft over a cleared area. On the ground, the other brave soldiers who fought alongside the Australians were the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB).
Nationals who were enlisted, armed, trained and commanded by Australians proved to be a very effective fighting force. Also critical in the campaign were the efforts and bravery of the Australian Commandoes and Coastwatchers. This panel is dedicated to all those warriors in the air and deep in the jungle.




Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Section
Not since WWI had natives or local indigenous people been used for the purpose of porterage or carrying supplies to the front line and evacuating the wounded. Australian soldiers to this day are indebted to the courage, commitment and resolve of the Papuan people for their role as carriers on the Kokoda Track.
Their nick name “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” is enshrined in the poem of the same name by Sapper Bert Beros, an Australian Army Engineer.


Imita Ridge and Guns Section
This section depicts the actual first major geographic obstacle of the Kokoda Track,Imita Ridge. The saw tooth top edge of the Wall is an exact replica of the steep and torturous terrain which defines the Track as one of the most difficult walking trails in the World.
Combined with the climate, disease and difficulty of both supplying a fighting force and evacuating the wounded, this Campaign tested both sides of the conflict.
The image of the standard Australian artillery piece of the time, the 25 pound field gun was captured by Damien Parer and illustrated in this panel to show the struggle of men and machine against nature.
Only three guns were able to be deployed to the top of Imita Ridge and no further by the Australians at the latter part of the Campaign. These guns had a range of 20km. The Japanese on the other hand had mountain guns – portable, lighter weight artillery and used with devastating effect against the Australian and Papuan Troops.





Courage Mateship Sacrifice Endurance Section
This section represents the mid point of both the Kokoda Track and the values of Australia and her people at that time. The four words in bronze at the outer edge of the forecourt map are the same as those engraved on the four granite monoliths at the Isurava Memorial. COURAGE, ENDURANCE, MATESHIP, SACRIFICE.
The graveside scene, the wounded being assisted by his mates and the troops moving forward to the next battle, encompass those four famous words which help define us as a nation

[Iguanasan]

Wow! What a monument. Wonderful images, MA. Thanks for sharing.

[Mad Aussie]

Wow! What a monument. Wonderful images, MA. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Iggy

[JAS_Photo]

Very cool set! Very poignant sculptures, nicely captured!

[Mad Aussie]

Very cool set! Very poignant sculptures, nicely captured!

Thankyou JAS

[Bambi]

what a powerful monument. I never knew about this piece of history. Thanks for showing us.

[Mad Aussie]

what a powerful monument. I never knew about this piece of history. Thanks for showing us.

You're welcome

[asnow]

What an elaborate monument and nicely captured.

[Mad Aussie]

What an elaborate monument and nicely captured.

Thank you asnow