What weapons were used in the Kokoda campaign?
Rifles
- Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III*
- Arisaka Type 38. The Imperial Japanese Army soldiers in the documentary use the Arisaka Type 38.
- M1928A1 Thompson.
- M1A1 Thompson.
- Bren Gun.
- Lewis Gun.
- Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun.
- Type 99 Light Machine Gun.
What battalions fought at Kokoda?
The first fighting occurred between elements of the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion at Awala on 23 July. Although steadily reinforced by the battalions of 30th and 21st Brigades, the Australian force was unable to hold back the Japanese.
Which army was the most dominant on the Kokoda Track?
The Japanese soldiers were described as ‘the most formidable and best equipped jungle troops in the workd’ and on top of that a great mass of weapons and equipment were given to the AIF not the Militia. On the top of this 70% of the group got tropical disease during the campaign.
Was the Owen gun good?
When tested, the Owen gun was able to continue firing despite being dipped in mud and drenched with sand, while a Sten gun and a Thompson also tested stopped functioning at once. In jungle warfare, where both mud and sand were frequent problems, the Owen gun was highly regarded by the soldiers.
What Calibre was the Owen gun?
.22-caliber
The gun was a feeble . 22-caliber, it lacked a proper trigger or safety mechanism and the ammo cylinder could not be removed, only reloaded by hand. Owen literally cast his rejected invention aside in a sugar bag. When World War II broke out, he joined the Australian army as a private.
How many Japanese troops fought in Kokoda?
30,000 13,500
| Kokoda Track campaign | |
|---|---|
| Strength | |
| 30,000 | 13,500 |
| Casualties and losses | |
| 625 killed 1,055 wounded 4,000+ sick | ~ 2,050 ~ 4,500 including sick. |
What is the Kokoda Track campaign?
The Kokoda track campaign involved a trail that leada south along the western side of the Eora Creek Gorge and through the villages of Deniki and Isurava to a trail junction at Alola. From here the track rapidly climbs 6,000 feet to Templeton’s Crossing, then drops into deep valleys slick with deposits of humus and leaf mold.
What was the Kokoda Trail fighting like?
The Kokoda Trail fighting was some of the most desperate and vicious encountered by Australian troops in the Second World War.
Where is the Kokoda Trail?
The Kokoda Trail was a path that linked Ower’s Corner, approximately 40 km north-east of Port Moresby, and the small village of Wairopi, on the northern side of the Owen Stanley mountain range. From Wairopi, a crossing point on the Kumusi River, the Trail was connected to the settlements of Buna, Gona and Sanananda on the north coast.
What did the Australians gain from the Kokoda Trail?
On the Kokoda Trail, the Australians were now on the offensive. They had gained valuable jungle warfare skills, were better equipped, and their troops were reinforced.