Experiences of Australian Soldiers in Kokoda - by Isabella, Alicia Background: When Singapore fell, the Japanese moved on to Port Moresby and planned to claim it. This was part of their plan to invade Australia, as Port Moresby was close to Australia and they could easily strike from there. They could cut off Australia’s communication with the USA, increasing Australia’s isolation. There were many fights in which both countries lost many men, but eventually in September 1942, the Japanese were exhausted with very little food left and many suffering from illness. The Japanese began to withdraw because of this problem. The Australian troops advanced, and by November 1942, the Australian flag was flying in the village of Kokoda.
Some of the hardest fighting in WWII took place on the Kokoda Track
Disease afflicted thousands of troops- mainly malaria, dysentery and dengue fever
Food shortages
Communication was difficult
Mental and physical exhaustion from the continuous fighting
There was a state of permanent nervous tension
They were frustrated because it didn’t make sense
Hard terrain- cliffs, swamps, steep hills, valleys
Area was not mapped out so they didn’t know where they were
They used sticks as walking sticks because of their aching knees
There were many snakes, spiders and leeches as well as vines, orchids and trees. This meant that there wasn’t much room for the fighting men
Rain started at noon and went for hours. It gushed down.
There was a lot of humidity, causing a lot of sweat
Clothes were permanently wet as well as all the things in their rucksacks
The cigarette papers and letters were turned into mush. These were things that they cherished
As they were always walking up hills, the men got their hopes up as they thought they reached the top of a climb, but they hadn’t reach the top of the climb. It was really just a false crest.
The Papua New Guinean locals helped out by bringing the wounded soldiers back and sheltering them from the rain. They were affectionately known as the ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’
Australia and World War II
Experiences of Australians serving in WWII.
Describe the experiences of Australians serving in WWII.
In four groups, each group is to prepare ONE of the following areas of Australian involvement in WWII:
North Africa pp.179-181 Tobruk: http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/tobruk/
Kokoda pp.186-190 Kokoda: http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_291.asp
Prisoners of War pp.190-196 Prisoners: http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/stolenyears/ww2/japan/
Nurses pp.211-212 Vyner Brooke: http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_302.asp
Bullwinkel: http://www.awm.gov.au/people/1906.asp
Each group is to prepare a one page outline of experiences of Australians serving in World War II.
Use the text pages above and also the Australian War Memorial links and at least one other source.
(about 400 words)
Experiences of Nurses - by Elizabeth, Bethany, Amelia, Madeliene.
Experience of Nurses - by Sara, Vania, Lauren, Phillippa, Giuliana
Prisoners of War - by Stephanie, Hollie, Vivian
Experiences of Australian Soldiers at Tobruk - Madeleine
Experiences of Australian Soldiers at Kokoda - by Veronica, Lara
Experiences of Australian Soldiers in Kokoda - by Isabella, Alicia
Background: When Singapore fell, the Japanese moved on to Port Moresby and planned to claim it. This was part of their plan to invade Australia, as Port Moresby was close to Australia and they could easily strike from there. They could cut off Australia’s communication with the USA, increasing Australia’s isolation. There were many fights in which both countries lost many men, but eventually in September 1942, the Japanese were exhausted with very little food left and many suffering from illness. The Japanese began to withdraw because of this problem. The Australian troops advanced, and by November 1942, the Australian flag was flying in the village of Kokoda.