There were many background events which led to the Kokoda Campaign. The Japanese attempted to capture Port Moresby for two reasons, first, fighter aircrafts. These were needed to fly air protection over the invading fleet before, during and after landing and because the planes had a short range an airfield was required close to the target. Secondly, transport ships were needed to send supplies, equipment and reinforcements after every attack. Therefore if they base is too far then they are short of supplies. (The War in Papua: The Strategic Context, 2014). However the main objective of the Japanese had been to capture Port Moresby as it would not only enable them to isolate Australia from the US (Source 2). Japan had originally attempted to capture Port Moresby via the sea but after defeat at two naval battles the Coral Sea …show more content…
The Kokoda Trail was a critical supply line which ran over the Owen Stanley Range and straight to the capital city of Port Moresby. Control of this on Japan’s behalf gave them a huge advantage in obtaining supplies (Alex. D, 2014). On July 21st-22nd 1942 Japan had arranged to land their troops on the northern coast of New Guinea so they could advance to Port Moresby along the Kokoda Trail (source 2). On September 24th 1924 the Japanese began a slow withdrawal and headed back down the trail towards the northern beaches. Their withdrawal was followed by an Australian advancement (Kokoda Campaign Key Dates, 2014).
Two major events events occurred as the Australian’s and Japanese fought along the Kokoda Trail. On the 6th July, 1942, approximately 300 men from the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) and young Australian men form the 39th Militia Battalion, known