How is the Kokoda Trail described?

How is the Kokoda Trail described?

The Kokoda Trail or Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96 kilometres — 60 kilometres in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. Locals have been known to hike the route in three days.

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.

Why is the Kokoda Track significant today?

The Kokoda Track marks the course of one of the most important battles for Australians in the Second World War. Between 21 July and 16 November 1942, the Australian Army halted the furthermost southward advance by Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea and then pushed the enemy back across the mountains.

Where is the Kokoda Trail in PNG?

Papua New Guinea
New Guinea
Kokoda Track campaign/Locations

Can you walk the Kokoda Track without a guide?

You can trek the Kokoda Track either on your own or with a tour operator. The KTA does not encourage trekkers to walk without a tour operator, due to safety concerns. Solo travellers also bring little benefit to the local communities. All trekkers must carry comprehensive medical and travel insurance.

Is the Kokoda Trail Safe?

The Kokoda trail is very safe. Trek operators, PNG government along with the Australian government, meet each year to discuss the operations of the trail and safety is at the forefront of our company. It is highly recommended to trek with a professional trekking company like Australian Kokoda Tours.

What weapons were used on the Kokoda Trail?

Contents

• 1 Rifles. 1.1 Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* 1.2 Arisaka Type 38.
• 2 Submachine Guns. 2.1 M1928A1 Thompson. 2.2 M1A1 Thompson. 2.3 Owen Submachine Gun.
• 3 Machine Guns. 3.1 Bren Gun. 3.2 Lewis Gun. 3.3 Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun. 3.4 Type 99 Light Machine Gun.
• 4 Sidearms. 4.1 Webley Mk IV.
• 5 Grenades. 5.1 Mills Bomb.

What four groups were at Kokoda?

The largest group were Australians, 56,000 of whom were at one time or another either in Papua or involved in air and sea operations there. The Americans, allied to the Australians, contributed 24,000 men. Their enemy the Japanese had 27,000 men, some not from Japan but from its empire, involved in Papuan operations.

Why the Kokoda Track was an important turning point in the war for Australia?

It was the first victory in a major offensive against the Germans since the start of the European war in 1939, and it revived the Allies’ morale. The Australian force went on the offensive and by mid-November they had crossed the Kumusi River at Wairopi, effectively ending the Kokoda campaign.

What was the impact of the Kokoda campaign?

On the 22 of January 1943, the long fought Kokoda Campaign ended in defeat for the Japanese. This bloody battle had lasted six months and it was one of the most difficult campaigns fought on land in the Pacific region. Australia lost 2,165 troops and 3,533 men were wounded.

How fit do you have to be to walk the Kokoda Track?

Your training needs to include extensive walking, preferably in a hilly-area, carrying a weighted pack. In the last month of your training you need to be capable of walking at least 10 km daily, carrying 3 to 5 kg more than the weight you expect to carry on your trek.

Why is the Kokoda Track so difficult?

The Kokoda track terrain is mountainous with only small sections of the track being flat. This means you are either walking slowly up a ridgeline or you are walking slowly down. This is where it can get mentally and physically hard.

Where does the Kokoda Trail start and end?

The Kokoda Track is a single-file trail, which runs through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. The Track begins at Owers’ Corner in Central Province, which is 50-kilometers east of the capital, Port Moresby. The Kokoda Track finishes in the village of Kokoda, which is in the Oro Province.

Where is the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea?

The Kokoda Track, or Kokoda Trail, is located in Papua New Guinea in the Owen Stanley Ranges. The Kokoda Track between Kokoda and Owers’ Corner is roughly 96km. From Owers’ Corner to Kokoda as the crow flies is about 60km.

What was the Kokoda Track in World War 2?

In this treatment of the Kokoda Campaign, reference will be made to the “Kokoda Track”. This was the name by which it was known to Australian soldiers who fought on it in 1942 and to the civilians who were living in Australia’s Territory of Papua before the Japanese invaded it on 21 July 1942.

Which is the highest point on the Kokoda Track?

The highest elevation on the track is 2190m over the side of Mt Bellamy, one of 12 ranges that it snakes over through the Owen Stanley Ranges. ‘Kokoda’ is an Orokaiva word meaning ‘place of skulls’. Number of languages spoken in PNG: over 800, more common is Pidgin and Motu.