K O K O D A Reflections from the Trail
An Extraordinary Journey..... Kokoda Long days in brooding jungle, With never a glimpse of sky, Pale phosphorescent gleaming, As fire-flies flutter by; Then from the gloom emerging Kokoda lies below, a prospect of enchantment And scented breezes blow. Kokoda - wild and lovely Where fairies seem to stray, And Mountain streams make music,
As in the glen they play. Now war has come to blast you With bomb and shell and flame Yet flowers some woman planted, Are blooming just the same Like symbol of the beauty, Awaiting our return, To well-remembered places, Where home fires brightly burn.
Sapper Bert Beros
Jungle Patrol With sense keen all nerves alert. we move along the track, with weapons gripped in ready hands, all ready for the trap; That the lurking foe might choose to make, to take us by surprise, Not a palm frond sway, or a falling leaf, escapes our watchful eyes. Not a word is spoken as we file along, unbroken the jungle's gloom. Heavy the humid sultry air, with a sense of impending doom. No sunlight streams through the forest aisles, that tangle of lush green hell. Where the struggling vines festoon the trees, in confusion we know so well. Tensed for the impact of a shot, from a hidden sniper's lair. Ready for the deadly booby traps to take the innocents unaware. Scanning the tops of nearby trees, ready to clear the track. And reply with chattering Owen gun, to the sniping rifle's crack. The soft deep mould, the clinging mud, that stench of rotting leaves. the reek of death as silent forms, the foe behind them leave. Unburied there beside the track, their conquering days are o'er. They'll know their land of cherry trees, their island den no more.
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The forward scout drops swiftly, in the shadows near the track. A group of Jap-built huts he's seen, and swift the word comes back. We fan out from the narrow trail, leave some to watch our flank, and sneak upon those rude grass huts, through jungle green and dank.
We work in pairs from hut to hut, find trace of recent foe. Black fires still warm, and half cooked rice, on cautious way we go. A sudden roar as a lone sick Jap, holds grenade against his chest, thinking he'll take us with him too, to that heathen warrior's rest. No wonder we're callous, hard at heart, no pity for the wounded Jap. Many a brave Australian life, was taken by the same trap. No wonder we're know as a cut-throat bunch, who no tender mercies feel, and put Jap wounded out of pain, with a shot, or the cold blue steel. Discarded clothing strewn around, cooking utensils, food. In a hurry he'd left his jungle camp, as his privacy we intrude. Picks and shovels, odd shaped boots, in fifth and mire they lie. While overall lies that foul Jap stench, we pass with a thankful sigh. The endless trail winds ever on, cross gorges wild and deep. O'er perilous bridges of swaying vines, our eyes alert we keep. Round mountain side and cliff high face, where torrents far below, race on their swift and turbulent way as down chasms deep they flow. Slowly the jungle paths grow dim, as the evening hours drag on. When an open patch of Kunai grass, our tired eyes rest upon. When we've searched its flanks for a hidden foe, and found not one Jap in sight, we spread out in a well armed ring for another jungle night. Corporal Peter Coverdale
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The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Many a mother in Australia, When the busy day is done, Sends a prayer to the Almighty For the keeping of her son, Asking that an Angel guide him And bring him safely back Now we see those prayers are answered Up on the Kokoda Track, Though they haven't any halos, Only holes slashed in the ears, And with faces worked with tattoos, With scratch pins in their hair, Bringing back the wounded, Just as steady as a hearse, Using leaves to keep the rain off And as gentle as a nurse. Slow and steady in bad places, On the awful mountain track, And the look upon their faces, Makes us think that Christ was black,
Not a move to hurt the wounded, As they treat him like a Saint, It's a picture worth recording, That an Artist's yet to paint. Many a lad will see his Mother, And the Husbands, wee ones and Wives, Just because the Fuzzy Wuzzy Carried them out to save their lives. From mortar or machine gun fire, Or a chance surprise attack, To safety and the care of Doctors, At the bottom of the track. May the mothers of Australia, When they offer up a prayer, Mention those impromptu Angels, With the Fuzzy Wuzzy hair. Sapper Bert Beros 6
Native Stretcher Bearers There's a stretcher coming down there lads, stand back and give them room, We move close to the edge of the muddy track, in the jungle's rain soaked gloom. We see those boongs tail down the track, with a stretcher held high aloft. Banana leaves spread o'er a wounded lad, a pillow of kunai soft.
Still keeps that stretcher safe and sound, never a jolt or lurch. The poles cut deep in to shoulders black, but never a word of hurt. Perspiration streams unending, down each savage tattooded face, But never a halt for a rest they take, their burden had pride of place.
The horrors of war still show in his eye, his haggard features pale, Thankful to be in kindly hands on that steep and winding trail, That crawls around the mountain side, and gorges wild and deep, Bridges of swaying slender vines, span these chasms so dark and steep.
From the frontline bloodsoaked R.A.P. where their wounds are quickly dressed, By doctors and first aid men with the gift of mercy blest. To the C.C.S. at the nearest point, to where the jeeps can climb, They carry their burden tenderly, all the way from the forward line.
Misplaced step means a fatal plunge, to the rivers far below, But clambering on through knee-deep mud, on sure footed way they go. Muscles bulge under ebony skin, as they climb over rocks and logs Sometimes sinking to heaving chests, in the treacherous loathsome bogs.
And there's many a mother far away, and many an anxious wife, Has cause to thank the lowly boong, for her dear one's chance of life. In the halls of fame their names will live, and as long as Australia stands, We'll honour that brave and loyal boong, those sons of a wild strange land.
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The Crossing of the Owen Stanley Range Now you mightn't believe what I'm saying, You may think that I've never been Through the hell that I am trying to picture As a vile and frightful scene, For I've seen men tired and exhausted And hardly able to walk I've seen them that weary and weathered, that they couldn't be bothered to talk. With their eyes wild and starey, their faces haggard and worn, They'd sit on the side of a native pad, and wish they'd never been born. I've seen them that sick and despondent, that with never a sign of mirth, They'd wish they were down with Satan, instead of this hell on earth, Straining, Sweating, swearing, climbing the mountain side, 'Just five minutes to the top'; my God how that fellow lied, Splashing through mud and water, stumbling every yard One falls by the wayside when the going is extra hard On and on they keep climbing, hour after hour of toil And when the word comes back to halt, they collapse on the muddy soil, Now it might sound fantastic to the man that's never been Over that rough and tortuous mountain track, through the jungle evergreen.
So all you who don't believe me, who think it all sounds strange Just go yourself and try the crossing of the Owen Stanley Range, Then when you are in the mountains high, say 7,000 feet, Any you're expecting any moment the Japanese to meet When you're weary, tired and hungry and wet and cold and cramped You start to think of home and of the places here you've camped. When you think of a warming fire, and the meal that's hot and big Then sigh and pick up a shovel and a slit trench you start to dig. Then perhaps you'll agree, that it isn't quite so strange These things that I have told you, of the crossing of the Owen Stanley Range. We look around our numbers, and search for familiar faces But find that they are missing, not in their usual places So we've often thought and have often prayed For those unsung heroes, those mates of ours that stayed Back there within God's keeping, but with a cross to mark The spot where they are lying, in the jungle grim and dark So I ask you all to say a prayer for those who won't come back Those gallant chaps who fought and died on the Owen Stanley Track. H. McLaren
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At Isurava At Isurava’s sacred ground, We four in gathering darkness come, To sit before the stones around, Amidst the jungle’s nightly hum. The pillars lit by our torches glow, We can but sit in silent stare, For each one sees, each one knows, Those long gone Diggers still are there.
And over there by ‘MATESHIP’ stands, A Digger, eyes that hardly see, The mug he holds in trembling hands, As his mate pours out a well earned tea. ‘Rest easy dig, you’re right you know, Take a pew and quench your thirst. ‘Coz any Jap that wants a go, Will bloody have to go me first!!
By ‘COURAGE’, in his weapons pit, A wounded man with rifle still, Tells his mate ‘I’ll hang on a bit’ Maintains his vigil down the hill. He knows for each that leaves these heights Another man must get the call, So for the moment ‘She’ll be right’ The wound’s not that bad, after all.
By ‘SACRIFICE’ on a litter lies, A mother’s one and only child. Quiet and pale, no more he cries, No more his young eyes looking wild. He has found the peace of Angels now, And told to her the job he’s done, On the reddened, crumpled pages, now The last letter of a mother’s son.
Near ‘ENDURANCE’, slouch hat tilted style, A soldier lights another smoke, Held within the tired smile, He flashes at some boyish joke. What next? He’s scarce the strength to care, Now defend, or now attack, As weary legs once more prepare, To move him out along the track.
And they’re all the same an ‘X’ or nay, As they gather in the swirling mist, Amongst these stones here, to this day, Their ageless spirits still exist. So in this solemn, sacred place, Kokoda nestled far below. Forget them not, the human face, Of a story that we all should know. Darryl Hackett
The Crosses on the Track We pass the crude wood crosses On the wild Kokoda trail, They mark the graves of soldiers Who have died that we won't fail; Australia mourns her sons to-day, Who were so strong and manly, They sailed away with buoyant hearts, To die on the Owen Stanley. They're resting on a jungle peak, 'Neath canopy of trees, And near them, just beside the track, Are graves of Japanese Who met our men in battle for Their greater Asia plan And now beneath the jungle, Lies a dream of old Japan. Destroyed by sons of Aussie When they met the Rising Sun. Rest on, rest on, Young Anzacs, Yours is a job well done. So we leave you on the mountain, With its canopy of cloud, As the leafy boughs hang o'er you An everlasting shroud. Sapper Bert Beros
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Faces of Kokoda 19
The Advance: July 1942 After the First World War the defence
raised as part of the 30th Brigade to
Medical Officer at the native hospital at
of the Australian mainland lay with the
garrison Port Moresby. The 39th joined
Sapphire Creek near Moresby. He had
part time soldiers of the Citizens
the 49th Infantry Battalion, already in
been doctoring, planting and trading in
Military Force, also known as the
Moresby, and the 53rd Infantry
New Guinea for years after the first war.
Militia. The Militia was organized to
Battalion, which had been quickly
When the women, children and older
maintain the structure of the First AIF
formed in Sydney. The 39th arrived in
men were being evacuated to Australia
and kept the same numerical
Moresby at the start of January 1942,
he refused to leave, convinced that his
designations. The Militia units were
with little military training.
skills and knowledge of the country
distributed in the same areas in which
The 39th was initially used for garrison
could be put to good use.
the original AIF units were raised.
duties and working parties. In June it was ordered to proceed up the Kokoda
The other old hand, the driving force,
The 39th Infantry Battalion was raised in
Trail to block any possible Japanese
was Captain Bert Kienzle, CBE, MBE
Melbourne in 1921 and called the
overland advance. The 39th B Company
(Military, MID, gold miner and planter
“Hawthorn–Kew Regiment”. Raised
and troops from the Papuan Infantry
in the Yodda Valley not far from
during the Great Depression, when little
Battalion (PIB) reached Kokoda on 15
Kokoda. Mobilised like all other able-
was spent on defence, the battalion
July. Japanese forces landed at Gona, on
bodied whites in New Guinea, Kienzle
initially had few volunteers. In 1937 it
the north coast of Papua, a week later
was incorporated into the Australian
merged with the 37th Infantry Battalion,
and quickly moved inland.
New Guinea Army Unit. In late June
forming the 37/39th Infantry Battalion
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1942, he was chosen to take charge of
and, a few years later, with the 24th
The movement of a battalion plus
native labourers on the line of
Infantry Battalion, forming the 24/39th
ancillary units into the Owen Stanleys
communication being established
Infantry Battalion. From October to
posed an instant supply problem for
between Illolo (the end of the road out
November 1941 the 39th was raised as a
who our army was quite unprepared.
from Port Moresby) and Kokoda.
single unit, comprised mostly of young
With no road or air access a native
men of 18 or 19 years who had been
carrier line had to be hastily orgainsed.
Kienzle was given the task of guiding B
called up for national service.
This was done largely by two New
Company of the 39th Battalion across
Guinea 'old hands', one of whom was
the track and set out for Uberi on 6 July
Following Japan’s sudden entry into the
the dedicated, compassionate and
1942.
Second World War, a new 39th was
courageous Captain 'Doc' Vernon, MC,
Warrant Officer Jack Wilkinson, another
out by Steve [Captain Stevenson, Second-in-
[Assistant Resident Magistrate at Kokoda]
New Guinea old hand, accompanied
Command, B Company]. Had a bad, cold
here with carriers from Kokoda. Long talk
Kienzle as the medic for the Company.
night.
about track ahead.
9 July: Made Nauro. A long day but not too
13 July: To Eora Crossing No 2. Long day
bad. One man broke down but we all made
over range. Rain forest and lawyer vines.
camp. Good camp and nice place. Bothered
Deep moss and slippery track. Rain forest
by native bees en route crawling all over us
and mist. Cold and dreary. Camp not too
after the salt in sweat. No stings. Last
good. Creek roaring loudly. To bed in wet
downhill to camp very hard to take. Many
clothers. Hope my feet stand up to it a bit
falls as knees gave way. General condition
longer.
His diary records the advance to Kokoda: 7 July: 0800 hours. We left Illolo in a hurry carrying packs. What a weight. Uncle Sam [Templeton] in the lead. Arrived Uberi 1730 hours. Several chaps sent back here with fever and bad knees. Hell of a strain on knees on down grades. Had busy time patching feet. 8 July: Made Ioribaiwa. Had carriers for packs and just as well. Two long hills to climb. Missed out on tea as I was with last of troops. Had a job to get some of them to make it. Uncle Sam came back and helped me about half-way up last hill. Was carrying four rifles and three haversacks and had doubts about making in myself. Uncle Sam insisted on carrying all my gear as well as that of others. Had a busy time when reached camp. Many feet blistered and chafes from haversacks and rifle slings. Camp cold and wet. Made a brew of rum and lime and hot water which revived some. Many non-drinkers among these kids. Rum turned out to be mainly metho spirits. Doled
of troops good. One man severe exhaustion. Conference with Uncle Sam and decided to
14 July: To flat below Deniki. Long day but
stay here for one day to give troops a spell.
resonable walking. Could see Kokoda from hilltop. Knienzle, Uncle Sam and Brewer to
10 July: One man shows signs of dysentery.
Kokoda first and sent back tents for troops.
Age about 48. Oldest man in company - first
Much warmer than in hills. Troops in good
war also. Has son in company and trying to
form. Some bananas and pawpaws for 'kai'.
keep up. Said nothing about being sick hoping he would improve. Decided to leave
15 July: To Kokoda. Nice place. Glad to be
him here to come on later.
here. Took over native hospital. Got some ptash permanganate and made troops soak
11 July: Made Efogi. Along day but not too
feet for an hour. Then to sit is sun and dry
bad. Menari is nice spot in between and we
out.
had lunch there. Troops in good shape. Day's spell worked wonders. Uncle Sam
17 July: Kokoda. Bert Knienzle is a tower of
very annoyed about the rum and metho. Pity
strength. Brought us some supplies from his
any QM blokes he can pin the blame on.
home (in Yodda Valley) then set off back to Moresby.
12 July: Made Kagi. Only a short walk but steep. Fairly high and cold. Peter Brewer 21
The Withdrawal: July - September 1942 Forced to repel a Japanese invasion
who had stayed with them had been
Japanese at Eora Creek, Templeton’s
force, which landed at Gona on the
forced back to Isurava. Reinforcements
Crossing, Efogi, Mission Ridge and
north coast of Papua on 21 July 1942,
were sent from Port Moresby: first the
Ioribaiwa. Allied airmen dropped
the Australians fought in appalling
53rd Battalion, which protected a side-
supplies and made repeated attacks on
conditions over the next four months.
track behind Isurava, and then the
the enemy’s supply lines. During those
The Japanese objective was to capture
veteran 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions,
gruelling days, the Papuan men
Port Moresby, the main Australian base
which had previously served in the
employed as carriers played a vital role
in New Guinea, by an overland strike
Middle East.
in the battle. They carried supplies
across the Owen Stanley Range. The
forward for the troops and then, as the
most direct way across these rugged
At Isurava, in the last days of August,
number of troops who were wounded
mountains was by a jungle pathway
the 39th and the 2/14th Battalions, with
or fell sick increased, carried back to
known as the Kokoda Trail. During the
support further back from the 2/16th
safety those who were unable to walk.
next four months, until 16 November
and 53rd Battalions, were able to
1942, Australian soldiers fought the
temporarily hold the Japanese during an
By 16 September, after more troops had
Japanese, first to keep them from
intense five-day action. Three days into
come forward from Port Moresby and
reaching Port Moresby and then to push
the battle, on 29 August, in the face of
dug into a defensive position at Imita
them back over the Owen Stanleys to
yet another enemy assault, Private Bruce
Ridge, the Japanese were exhausted.
their north coast strongholds at Buna,
Kingsbury, 2/14th Battalion, was killed
They had been forced to fight hard to
Gona and Sanananda.
as he rushed forward with his Bren gun,
cross the mountains and had run out of
driving back the enemy in a determined
many supplies. Following setbacks on
In late July 1942, as the Japanese
counter-attack. He was awarded a
other battlefields against Australian and
advanced towards Kokoda village, they
posthumous Victoria Cross, the first VC
American forces, which robbed them of
were engaged by forward elements of
awarded during the New Guinea
further reinforcements, the Japanese on
the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the
campaigns.
the Kokoda Track were ordered to
Australian 39th Infantry Battalion.
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withdraw. As Australian patrols pushed
Despite the Australians’ stubborn
Throughout September, the Australian
forward of Imita Ridge on 28
resistance, Kokoda fell to the larger
units withdrew down the Kokoda Track,
September, they found that the enemy
Japanese force and by 27 August the
being joined by the 2/27th Battalion.
had slipped away.
Australians and the few Papuan troops
They made further stands against the
The Advance: September - November 1942 During the next six weeks, the Japanese fell
at Templeton’s Crossing, where it took more
2 November, Kokoda was retaken. The
back over the mountains. They were pursued
than a week of hard and costly fighting for
Australians had one more tough battle to
by troops of the 25th Brigade – comprising
the 25th Brigade to push back the enemy, and
fight at Oivi-Gorari, where the Japanese were
the 2/25th, 2/31st and 2/33rd Battalions –
at Eora Creek where the 16th Brigade also
determined to make another stand, before
and the 16th Brigade – comprising the 2/1st,
doggedly attacked enemy strongpoints to
they were able to finish the advance over the
2/2nd and 2/3rd Battalions – along with the
slowly make ground. The Australians were
mountains. By 18 November the Australians
3rd Battalion and men from medical and
plagued by supply shortages that increased
had reached the Kumusi River. The battle for
supply units. Significant actions were fought
the difficulties of jungle warfare. Finally, on
the Kokoda Track was over.
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