Kokoda Campaign

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  • Battle of Rabaul

    Battle of Rabaul

    Japan captures Rabaul in New Britain. This event alarms Australia and raises fears of Japanese invasion, prompting defensive measures.
  • Japanese Expansion in the Pacific

    Japanese Expansion in the Pacific

    Japan occupies parts of Papua New Guinea and begins planning an invasion of Port Moresby through the Kokoda Trail from the North.
  • Japanese Push South Along The Track

    Japanese Push South Along The Track

    Fierce fighting at Isurava, Efogi and Brigade Hill, moving southward. Australians retreat village by conducting delay tactics.
  • Japanese land at Gona and Buna

    Japanese land at Gona and Buna

    Japanese troops land on the north coast of Papua to begin their advance towards Port Moresby - The official start of the Kokoda Campaign. They begin advancing southward along the Kokoda Track
  • First Battle at Kokoda

    First Battle at Kokoda

    Australian Militia fights Japanese troops in the village of Kokoda. Australians are outnumbered and are forced to retreat. Japanese capture Kokoda Village. Australia retreats south to Deniki

  • Japanese Halt at loribaiwa

    Japanese reach Loribaiwa Ridge, the last position before Port Moresby.
    The Japanese eventually retreated northward.
    Australia began to regain territory, village by village

  • Australian Counterattack

    Australian troops advance north. They recapture Eora Creek, Templeton's Crossing and finally Kokoda Village on 2nd November 1942

  • Final Battles at Gona and Buna

    Australian and American forces attack Gona and Buna. After Intense fighting, both villages were captured by December 1942, ending the campaign. The Japanese are driven out of Papua.