Thread: WHO ARE OUR REAL ENEMIES?

Was certainly clear that it was the Aussies, such as the inexperienced 39th Militia and others, who did the really nasty stuff to hold the Japanese. At one stage just 80 exhausted and starving 39th were delaying 5000 Japanese troops who were ably led and battle-hardened after China.
When MacArthur eventually sent in some Yanks, after the Aussies had driven the Japs back to Buna at huge cost to both sides, the Americans were a disaster, with many retreating or fleeing into the jungle at the first opposition. Blamey said he didn't want any more Yanks and instead wanted Aussies who would fight, not run.
The campaign was very poorly led by Blamey and MacArthur, but the commanders on the ground did miracles and got little reward for their exploits.
Clearly, it was the Kokoda campaign which saved Australia from falling like the rest of Asia. I think that makes Kokoda far more important than Gallipoli for Australia, not meaning to take anything away from what our troops did there, but saving your own country from invasion comes top, I think.

I just ordered the paperback of Kokoda by Paul Ham for $26 plus postage from Booktopia. In stock and ships in only two days. The DVDs are also available from ABC books.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I just ordered the paperback of Kokoda by Paul Ham for $26 plus postage from Booktopia. In stock and ships in only two days. The DVDs are also available from ABC books.

Going there for Anzac day 2018 with ten of my crew. 12 day hike and no Disco to drive

While the terrain of Kokoda affected both the Australians and Japs, it was a worse problem for the Japs - they were trying to advance, and every step forward made their supply situation worse, whereas every step of retreat improved the Australian supply situation. Of course, then the situation was reversed when Australia started to push back the Japs.

Looked at objectively though, despite their experience elsewhere, the Japs did not know what they were getting into at Kokoda, and given even modest resistance (which was all the militia could offer initially) there was little hope of it succeeding. Once significant reinforcements arrived, taking Port Moresby via Kokoda was virtually impossible. On the other hand, if they had won the battle of the Coral Sea, it would not have mattered what happened at Kokoda.

Certainly, the campaign was poorly led by Blamey and Macarthur from the Allied side, but although the Jap soldiers were experience and skilled, the basic concept of attacking Port Moresby via Kokoda shows a similar level of incompetence on the other side. As an example , I seem to remember that the Japanese commander of the project led it on horseback. Can anyone who is familiar with that terrain envision trying to use and supply even a single horse in the area.

I don't know enough about the detailed Military "Tactics" relating to Kokoda as some on here, that's for sure, so I can't comment on that.
But it appears that there are some fairly good Military "Historians" on here who really are able to relate the FACTS, in a fairly simple manner so that an interested person like me can learn a little bit more about what really happened, rather than reading someone's "emotional opinion".
I am interested in Military history, I've read a lot of WW11 stuff, particularly about the 3rd Reich, political & military stuff.
My wife has actually trekked Kokoda,..2008 I think it was. She went with an organization named "Adventure Kokoda", a fairly high profile, very professional group led by ex-Military people, who, at the commencement of the trek, mentioned that they would be walking "In The Steps Of The Brave". They don't do the normal track, they do the "Battle Track", a longer trek, which visits important battle sites off the main track, because the battles were not always on the main track. She thought it was very special, a very special & unique experience, and she also enjoyed relating to the PNG people along the way.
I think the term she learned was "When you go home, tell them of us, tell them for their today, we gave our tomorrow".
No doubt, Kokoda occupies a very special place in Australia's history.
Pickles.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I just ordered the paperback of Kokoda by Paul Ham for $26 plus postage from Booktopia. In stock and ships in only two days. The DVDs are also available from ABC books.

Two books I recommend as compulsory reading would be " To the bitter end, the Japanese defeat at Buna and Gona, 1942-43" by LEX McAULAY, and Kokoda Wallaby , by Andrew James. The wallaby is Stan Bisset, and any one wanting to know the story of rugby in Aus. before the War , especially in Victoria, would do well to read this book. The author is a former Australian soldier, who served with the special forces in Afghanistan. After the army, Andrew continued his studies at Sydney Uni. Where he read History and English, and supported himself by working as an expedition leader on the Kokoda track. Those who don't know the story of Stan Bisset should know he was a member of the ill-fated 1939 Wallaby team to England.
Stan was one of Australias' most distinguished and heroic combatants , who personified so many Attributes of the Australian soldier. Stan's brother Butch died in his arms on the track, and at the end Stan sang their favourite family song, Danny Boy , to his dying brother. Tour groups used to gather in the clearing where Butch was shot and died, and sing Danny Boy in his memory. Not a dry eye in the house, I'm told. No less than John Eales, wrote " rugby is fortunate to have so many role models of the highest order. Stan Bisset is at the top of the game " I met the great man one Anzac Day, when I marched with my Father in Brisbane. A rare privilege, one I will always remember.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

I don't know enough about the detailed Military "Tactics" relating to Kokoda as some on here, that's for sure, so I can't comment on that.
But it appears that there are some fairly good Military "Historians" on here who really are able to relate the FACTS, in a fairly simple manner so that an interested person like me can learn a little bit more about what really happened, rather than reading someone's "emotional opinion".
I am interested in Military history, I've read a lot of WW11 stuff, particularly about the 3rd Reich, political & military stuff.
My wife has actually trekked Kokoda,..2008 I think it was. She went with an organization named "Adventure Kokoda", a fairly high profile, very professional group led by ex-Military people, who, at the commencement of the trek, mentioned that they would be walking "In The Steps Of The Brave". They don't do the normal track, they do the "Battle Track", a longer trek, which visits important battle sites off the main track, because the battles were not always on the main track. She thought it was very special, a very special & unique experience, and she also enjoyed relating to the PNG people along the way.
I think the term she learned was "When you go home, tell them of us, tell them for their today, we gave our tomorrow".
No doubt, Kokoda occupies a very special place in Australia's history.
Pickles.

Like you I don't know much, but I'm keen to learn more.

I am appalled by some comments and the lack of understanding about the history of dawn service... One thing you learn when you join any of the services, is the meaning of ANZAC day and dawn service...

Its not a celebration, not a day for the public or the government. Its the day that ex and serving members of the services involved in war, remember their mates...

"Dawn service originally started in Albany WA on Mt Clarence, when a Pastor and some mates that served in Galipoli, met up one early morning, after they had returned to Australia and at dawn they remembered their mates and said a prayer for them"...

The location over looks King George Sound and Bluff Knoll, the last land seen when the ships headed for the Middle East...

I have been hearing this new history about ANZAC day and Dawn service, changing over the last 20 or so years, and it seems to be played out as if this was the norm only one year after the Galipoli campaign, which it was not...

The day is for the services that protect this country, either by conscription or volunteering, it is not for the people or for the government, this is our day to remember our mates... It is not a celebration, it is not a parade of glory...

IT IS THE SAME AS A FUNERAL, RESPECT, MOURN AND REMEMBER!

If people come to pay there respects, then good, but to parade themselves as being a part of it, thats driving so many of us away from this day and we wont return. I may have had a grandfather that served in WW1 and WW2, also an Uncle that served in WW2, but that didnt give me the right to march or expect any recognition myself, I joined the Army and served this country, myself, that is my right, not my childrens or relatives, they can only show respect, that right to march is mine...

All very well thinking I am selfish, but I signed on the dotted line, I gave my right to life and became a "servent of the Crown" thus I am just a number now, as such, I acquired that right of being part of a select group that gave more to this country than a politician would ever do...

Those that gave the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be respected without glorifying that sacrifice..

ANZAC day is no longer what it use to be, protests, seperations, political speaches, non ADF people marching, services not connected to the ADF marching, balloons and celebrations... None of this has anything to do with the meaning of ANZAC day...

I stopped going to dawn service, when there where more civilians than service members... 20 members there, over a hundred civvies, no longer a day to remember, just another thing destroyed by those with no respect...

One last thing, people make an issue about remembering those that served, whether returned or not, on ANZAC day, but forget about us for the rest of the year... very convenient isn't it?