Kokoda Campaign- Key Events By georgia.gleeson Mar 8, 1942 Japanese forces land at Lae and Salamaua Jul 22, 1942 Japanese army gain ground around defenders Aug 14, 1942 Japanese Army take control of Kokoda Aug 25, 1942 Japanese Navy land at Milne Bay, opening a second front on New Guinea Aug 26, 1942 18th Australian Brigade meet Japanese forces Aug 29, 1942 600 Japanese soldiers land to help strengthen beachhead at Milne Bay Sep 4, 1942 Japanese army begin to withdraw from the island Sep 26, 1942 Australian forces hold territory near Toribaiwa Nov 1, 1942 Japanese troops reinforce defenses at Buna, Gona and Sanananda Dec 14, 1942 Australian and US troops continue taking territory by firefights Jan 3, 1943 Buna is claimed by American forces Jan 31, 1943 Kokoda Trail is in Allied hands Jan 31, 1943 Allied forces have Sananada