In World War II, the Japanese invaded this region in preparation for an assault on Australia. The Battle of the Coral Sea had been fought and ships had been sunk in Darwin Harbor in an attack equal to or worse than Pearl Harbor. In 1942, most of Australia’s able men were fighting for England far from their homeland. The opportunity for the enemy to break in and take control was right in front of them and the only ones left were the untrained youths who had been recruited to protect us.
They were asked to fight in the New Guinea region of what is known as the Kokoda Track over the Owen Stanley Range. This hill is located about 4073 meters (more than 13,000 feet) above sea level. The track is a stretch of slippery terrain that goes up and down over the mountains to the small town of Kokoda. The terrain on both sides is almost impenetrable jungle and on the way there are dangerous insects and snakes etc. to be supported.
No one reaches the top unscathed. Insect bites aside, the risk of broken limbs is always present when one falls when the almost constant rain turns the clay underfoot into something worse than ice to walk on. The days are impossibly hot and humid with freezing nights. Add to these traumas the weight of heavy military equipment and essentials they had to carry.
Above the road stood the Japanese looking down on those walking keeping their eyes peeled for footholds while avoiding hazards only to be rained down with guns and mortar shells. The boys who endured this were only 18-19 years old and were hastily trained in Port Moresby for six weeks before being sent off to face their deaths after being shipped here on rusty old ships.
The Japanese they faced were well trained, acclimatized, and possessed superior weapons and support. It was put down by the Australians and very few escaped unharmed. These tired young men had snake bites, wet clothes, lacerations, and many had broken limbs, but they carried on. When they couldn’t go any further and their pain was unbearable, it was the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels who came to their rescue in 1942.
They transported, carried, supported, or led the blind down the pathway to the hospital below. Finally, when possible, the heavy artillery was dragged up the hill to throw it back at the enemy. However, it was not until Douglas MacArthur arrived that the battle was won.
