Extracts from the War Diary

B Company, 39th Battalion

7 July 1942

The first night on the track was at Uberi with three soldiers dropping out unable to cope with the difficult terrain.
It was decided then that native carriers should carry packs over the remaining stages.

8 July 1942

B Company marched from Uberi to Ioribaiwa. The Company was accompanied by Lieutenant Kienzle of A.N.G.A.U. It is arranged that he should act as guide as far as Kagi when the party would be met by Lieutenant Brewer. Two soldiers unfit to march were left at Uberi.

13 July 1942

B Company marched from Kagi to Eora Creek Crossing. During this part of the journey the actual Owen Stanley Range was crossed at a height of 7,000 feet above sea level.

14 July 1942

B Company reached Kokoda with strength of 5 Officers and 103 other ranks.

15 July 1942

B Company commence intensive weapon and patrol training. One Platoon took up position for aerodrome defence; a second was at point near crossing of main track over Yodda River and the third in Yodda Valley sometimes going as far as Yodda.

21 July 1942

Enemy made landing at Gona. By this time, last of stores which had been unloaded from the ship at Buna were on the way to Kokoda by native carrier. Captain Templeton accompanied by one other soldier arrived in Buna to recce area and to see that unloading of stores had been completed. Hearing of enemy landing he hurried back to Awala.

22 July 1942

Captain Templeton arrived at Awala and immediately sent for 11 Platoon to come forward to Awala.

23 July 1942

Captain Templeton sent orders for 12 Platoon also to move forward where both platoons would join P.I.B. commanded by Major Watson. Captain Stevenson, second in charge ordered to accompany 12 Platoon.
10 Platoon remained at Kokoda for aerodrome defence.

Captain Templeton returned to Kokoda to contact Lt Colonel Owen who was expected to arrive by plane. 12 Platoon camped at Gorari for the night, while 11 Platoon reached Awala at 1515 hours. Major Watson then had under his command two European officers, three European other ranks and thirty five natives and 11 platoon. In the meantime enemy had occupied Buna and advanced along track towards Awala.

They were engaged by Major Watson’s Maroubra Force- approximately 1000 yards east of Awala at 1600 hours. Owing to superior numerical strength of the enemy, our troops were obliged to withdraw Wairopi after a brief exchange of fire.

24 July 1942

By 0630 hour 11 Platoon and remainder of P.I.B were in position on eastern side of River Kumusi.
At 0800 hours they had demolished the bridge at Wairopi. Wireless and other gear was sent back to Kokoda at 0900 hours. Following orders to fight a rearguard action the force moved back to another position west of Wairopi at 1030 hours.

At 1450 hours enemy patrol appeared at River. Our troops opened fire and then withdrew to Gorari where they arrived at 1705 hours. At 1930 hours, 12 Platoon took up position half- an-hour forward of 11 Platoon.

Lt Colonel Owen arrived at Kokoda by plane at 1700 hours, having made an unsuccessful attempt to land on the previous day.

25 July 1942

Lt. Colonel Owen and Captain Templeton proceeded towards Gorari and arrived at 0130 hours. It was then decided to make a stand at dawn and positions were occupied accordingly, 800 yards east of Gorari.

11 and 12 Platoons on main track with P.I.B details on flanks in the bush. Lewis Guns were sited to fire along track while Thompson Machine Guns (TSMG’s) were for the most part to be used in Jungle.

Lt. Colonel Owen left for Kokoda at 1000 hours to contact further troops due to arrive by air.

Enemy patrol advanced along track at 1145 hours. Fires were held until they had passed over our flanking positions, and when fire was opened, fifteen enemies were killed. Our forces then withdrew to a position west of bridge and approximately 60 yards east of Gorari. Troops were in position by 1230 hours. Two shots, believed to be a signal were heard at 1645, and were followed immediately by heavy enemy fire, including machine guns and mortars. Our force withdrew to Oivi Pass and completed the move by 1930 hours and defensive positions taken up.

Troops by this time were very tired, and approximately six men were missing. Captain Stevenson was sent to Kokoda to report situation to Lt. Colonel Owen, arriving back at Oivi at 2200 hours. Supplies were sent forward by 40 native carriers, who returned to Kokoda with packs which were not required. Lt. Colonel Owen ordered Oivi to be held at all costs-unless the force was surrounded.

26 July 1942

10 Platoon (Lt Garland) withdrew from Kokoda to Deniki with orders to hold the main track back to Port Moresby. At 1000 hours Lt McClean and fourteen other ranks from 16 Platoon (D Company) arrived at Kokoda by plane. The plane immediately returned to Port Moresby and at 1130 hours landed a further 15 other ranks of 16 Platoon. Both parties left for Oivi immediately after arrival. First party from 16 platoon arrived at Oivi at 1430 hours.

The remaining were approaching Oivi at approximately 1730 hours, and were misinformed by personal met on track, who claimed that the whole force was surrounded and lost. NCO in charge therefore decided to return to Kokoda. Enemy approached along track at 1445 hours and at 1450 hours more were seen to be coming around the flanks. Our Light Machine Guns (L.M.G.’s) opened fire at 1500 hours. Fire was immediately returned from enemy Heavy Machine Gun (H.M.G.) on the flanks. The forward Platoon was forced to withdraw to Oivi.

After approximately 5 mins, fire was coming from all around our position. Fire died down at 1730 hours and arrangements were made to place Company in position for the night.

While this was being done, a shot was fired from the flank. Captain Templeton walked around a corner of the Track towards the rear with a view to warning the remainder of 16 Platoon which was expected to keep a sharp lookout. A burst of fire of fire was heard in the direction he had taken and he was not seen again. Neither was there any trace of his body. Captain Stevenson then took command of B Company. Heavy firing was continued throughout early part of the night, and at 2000 hours it was decided to break out of the encirclement.
With a native Police boy as guide, the force moved out under fire-for Deniki, losing some Bren magazines and rations. The troops at this stage were very tired, but owing to some confusion as to the native track that it was intended to follow, they had to push through the Jungle throughout the night. They arrived at Deniki the next afternoon.

The Australian soldiers were fortunate that the area around Gorari and Oivi provided a great ambush and defensive area with dense lush jungle, steep narrow ridges, and towering waterfalls, it was a truly beautiful part of the track, but one doubts that the men had much time to appreciate the scenery.

The dense undergrowth and foliage allowed the Australians to blend into the jungle despite them still wearing their very distinctive Khaki uniforms that were surplus issue from the A.I.F’s Desert campaigns. General Blamey deemed it unnecessary for Jungle greens to be issued to the men.

Private Pyke
We knew the Japs were coming, we never knew what we going to run into.
We were told the Japanese were all little fellas. They all wear glasses, they couldn’t shoot straight and we had nothing to worry about! Now the first mob that we ran into-if they weren’t six foot, well I’m not here and they looked bigger with their tin hats on and their rifles and bayonets.

Sergeant Joe Dawson
They kept coming and coming and coming, it’s a wonder any of us got out alive.
We were going to kill as many as we could.
We just knew that this is it; it’s on for young and old.
There was no surrender their mate, nothing.

Sergeant Imanishi Sadashige 144th Regiment.
On the battlefield the Australians wore a hat with a wide brim, I wondered if they could really fight a war with a hat like that. After the first battle at Oivi we realized they should not be treated lightly.

The Australians were quickly adjusting to the rigors of Jungle fighting and the consistent tactics used by the Japanese, attempting to out flank their enemy then pour in withering fire.

The Australians showed great courage, tactics and initiatives in these early battles, preparing well laid out ambushes and supporting fire.

Lt. Colonel Owen and Captain Templeton had laid the foundation and begun the initial stages of the famous fighting withdrawal that ultimately led to the demise of the Japanese Army on the Kokoda Track.