KOKODA WAR CAMPAIGN

Captain Sam Templeton with B Coy 39th Btn leaves Ilolo , guided by Lt Bert Kienzle to cross the Owen Stanleys to provide protective force to US troops building an airstrip at Dobudura. 

21st July :

Japanese Nankai Shitai troops led by General Horii land at Buna and advance quickly inland.

Japanese meet the Australians at Awala, only 40 miles from Kokoda.

BCoy pushed back to Oivi. Templeton disappears.

Kokoda lost. Aussies fall back to Deniki.

A Coy of the 39th retake Kokoda for 2 days while enemy stalls for time, patrolling the Yodda area, building bridges and roads from the Coast

Bert Kienzle locates and names Myola lakes as a potential solution to the supply problem

Kienzle blazes a track from Myola to join the old mail trail at a point he call's Templeton's Crossing. 

Japanese retake Kokoda and push Australians back to Isurava where they make a stand

Horii's troops storm Isurava with 3 Btns and the battle rages for five days during which casualties are high on both ides. Private Bruce Kingsbury is killed and earn a VC for his heroism.

Battle of Milne Bay. Japs defeated.

Australia commences a tactical withdrawal, resisting at every opportunity, drawing out then strangling enemy supply lines. Both sides can take no prisoners. 

Myola evacuated. Australian troops make a stand at Brigade Hill but the enemy outflanks them with disastrous result, earning it a name change to Butcher's Hill.

Australians withdraw to Iorabaiwa, Station 44 established by Bert Kienzle.

Last stand at Imita Ridge.

Enemy suddenly stops its advance. The Emperor has told them to withdraw.

Australian offensive begins in earnest. Japs scuttle back over Trail.

Japs dig in at Templeton's Crossing. Bert Kienzle reopens Myola as a supply base. Fresh Australian troops push enemy back from Templeton's to Eora Ck.

Enemy make desperate stand at Eora Creek. Australians defeat them at great cost.

Australians recapture Kokoda.

Last casualties from Myola arrive in Port Moresby.