Thread: WHO ARE OUR REAL ENEMIES?

The fight back.

"Kokoda" Part 2 Counterattack - YouTube

Originally Posted by bob10

Cut your Uncle some slack. Kokoda was more important to Australia than Gallipoli. And at Kokoda, the Aussies were outnumbered, and not supported well. The one constant was the incompetence of the Generals, thousands of miles from the action. Oh , my answer to the question is, the enemy is ourselves.

"Kokoda" Part1 The Invasion - YouTube

Yes I totally agree that Kokoda and the Coral Sea battle were the biggies for us, bigger than Gallipoli. I remember Keating saying that and some people tutted, but he was right.
My uncle was treated very sympathetically by the family until he died in his 60s.

could argue that tobruk had more of an impact.
the first time the germans were stopped during the war

Milne Bay was the first time that Japanese were stopped.
The 39th Militia on Kokoda were amazing, but were failed by their HQ, particularly Blamey and MacArthur, who did not reinforce them until it was too late.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Milne Bay was the first time that Japanese were stopped.

thats a very fair and accurate point i had overlooked

That Kokoda documentary was excellent. Thanks Bob10 for the links. Every Aussie should watch it. I'm definitely going to read the book.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Milne Bay was the first time that Japanese were stopped.
The 39th Militia on Kokoda were amazing, but were failed by their HQ, particularly Blamey and MacArthur, who did not reinforce them until it was too late.

My late father in law (RAEME, retired about 1950 as Lt Col) had a few choice words to say about Blamey - he was removed from PNG after refusing to put his signature to some falsehoods required by Blamey. Spent the rest of the war in non-combat roles, mainly London (Bailey Bridge), Washington (Embassy), followed by several years in occupied Japan.

Vietnam - The Australian War , by Paul Ham is a very good book not only to fully enlighten you about the war in Vietnam , but also to let you know who your enemies often are.