Mad Aussie
03-08-2011, 03:30 AM
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.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5508117551_25172cdff2_o.jpg
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.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5508716020_936d24a5fc_o.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5508714794_66f3bb578b_o.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5508115111_37e36c878e_o.jpg
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.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5508117551_25172cdff2_o.jpg
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.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5508716020_936d24a5fc_o.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5508714794_66f3bb578b_o.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5508115111_37e36c878e_o.jpg