KOKODA Summary

[martin goddard]

Here is a very brief summary for those interested in the PBI KOKODA day.

Japanese v Australian.
Scenery is awful for both sides.
The Japanese decided to attack  Papua New guinea which is just  off the north coast of Australia.
If they could land at the north coast of Papua, move 70 miles south through the mountains and jungle to take Port Moresby they would have the best airfield and port  in the whole  massive area.
The Japanese used their excellent South Seas force.

The whole journey would be over mountains, narrow trails (such as the Kokoda) swamps and jungle. The Japanese would have to man carry their own supplies.
To this end they decided to conscript the native population by shooting , raping and abusing them. That did not get the required results. Surprising?

The Australians had positioned some very (very) inexperienced (and small in number)  Troops to block the Japanese.

The Japanese soldiers were of excellent quality. They were experienced jungle fighters, well led and well motivated.

The initial Australian soldiers were well led but fresh.

The Japanese first crashed into the Australians and were  very surprised by the tough Australian defence.

In the following month the Japanese steadily pushed to Australians back to the half way point.
The Japanese could see port Moresby.

At this point more Experienced Australian troops turned up to even up the numbers.

From this time on the Japanese were retreating.
The Japanese had run out of supplies. This included a lack of food and medical items.


At this point the Australians were on their "home"(southern) side of the mountain range and were able to stop the Japanese advance.
Many major battles followed but the Japanese were done.
The Japanese commander died when his raft overturned whilst withdrawing down the river.

The battles were all fought in difficult/horrible scenery.
The soldiers of both sides had no respite from the fighting.
The officers on both sides were excellent.

The only bad thing was the overall American commander. No idea of what was happening, tried generalling from his desk. An appallingly arrogant bully, who whilst good at strategic planning had a poor performance in combat command. The American idiot.

martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

Ojectives I ve got a ground level bunker with a couple of trees on it. A hilltop that we use in Mexico and River/Bridge as the Xroads.
Also an all Veteran force for 399 points.
But I ll bring 2 25pdrs just in case we want to field them.
Miles

[Smiley Miley 66]

Just a little note slightly off subject? But still relevant. As it's been flying along the Coast this morning?
BBMF Dakota is in SE Asia camouflage and Markings. This is a rarely seen camouflage this part of the world.
Miles

[martin goddard]

All good Miles
Don't forget that you can only use 1 field gun.
I have pointed up a  Japanese company with 1 infantry gun but made it veteran.
A small unit but it could be interesting?

The Australian company I have pointed up has 4 platoons and an MMG platoon.

martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

I know I said I will bring 2 x 25 pdrs doesn't mean I am going to use them ? They are Mk 1s not the later Mk 2. So without the Muzzel flash !
I ve also got a Golden Bhudda in the box as well ?lol


Miles