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the Japanese first attempted to seize Port Moresby by a sea and air attack but were defeated in the Battle of te Coral Sea in early May 1942 and the Battle of Midway in early June.
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By June, however, some experienced officers joined the inexperienced troops.
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On 7th July 1942, the Maroubra Brigade began the long, tough march across the Owen Stanley Range to defend the airport at Kokoda.
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American engineers constructed three airstrips and on 25th Ausgust two RAAF Kittyhawk squadrons arrived
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Australian and UNited States forces continued attacking the Japanese and just a wekk later, on 3rd Septemeber, the Japanese began to withdraw.
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It was not until 2nd November 1942 that the Australians recaptured Kokoda and another seven weeks before the Japanese withdrew from the coastal towns of BUna, Gona and Sanananda.