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How Did The Kokoda Trail Affect Australian Soldiers

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The Kokoda Campaign was a series of events fought between Australian and Japanese soldiers. It was one of the most difficult, yet important campaigns for Australian soldiers. The campaign had a high-level impact on the physical and mental health of soldiers who fought in it. This essay will convey key information from sources that explore different aspects of the Kokoda Campaign. The Kokoda Trail Campaign had exposed Australian soldiers to some very difficult conditions, which took a toll on their mental and physical health. Kokoda’s terrain was the most prominent issue Australians faced while on the battlefield. Soldiers were faced with steep inclines, deep valleys, a deliberating climate frequent rain. This was a contributing factor to their mental and physical mental health. Many soldiers had died while on the Kokoda trail, mainly from illnesses and wounds. It was recorded that around 600+ Australian soldiers had died on the battlefield, and 1600+ were wounded. The …show more content…

Many soldiers experienced stress, fear, isolation, and trauma on the battlefield. This would often impact their ability to think clearly. Moreover, guilt towards the deaths of teammates was common. Soldiers often thought that they were responsible for the death of a soldier. Since treatment options during the Kokoda campaign were limited, they were often expected to get on with their duties. Some basic treatments included psychotherapy, medication, hypnosis, and electroshock. This would usually fix these conditions for the short term, and then PTSD would usually follow beyond the war. Some of these impacts include anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, guilt, and shame. In addition to PTSD, it has a significant impact on a soldier to function in daily life, including their ability to work. Mental health had a big impact on Australian Soldiers and their ability to fight in the

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