Kokoda Campaign

Battle of Rabaul

1942

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

Japanese Expansion in the Pacific

Mar 1, 1942

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

Jul 1, 1942

Fierce fighting at Isurava, Efogi and Brigade Hill, moving southward. Australians retreat village by conducting delay tactics.

Japanese land at Gona and Buna

Jul 21, 1942

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

Jul 29, 1942

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

Sep 26, 1942

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

Oct 1, 1942

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

Dec 1, 1942

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.