Feature Profiles
11 January, 2026
SUMMER READING Where legends were formed
In January, Wedderburn Korong Vale RSL launched an appeal for funds to establish scholarships for local students to walk Kokoda. Here's the story that started the successful initiative
IN THE dense jungles of Papua New Guinea, the Kokoda Track etched its name in history as a battleground of valour and endurance during World War Two.
Spanning rugged mountainous terrain of approximately 96 kilometers from Ower’s Corner to the remote village of Wairopi, this path became the stage for fierce clashes between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.
Following a seaborne assault on Port Moresby being prevented due to the Battle of the Coral Sea, Japanese troops sought to seize the Kokoda Trail as an overland route to their strategic target. Initial landings on the northern coast at Gona on July 21 marked the beginning of a determined offensive. By July 23, the first confrontation ignited between the South Seas Detachment and Australian forces, namely the 39th Infantry Battalion and the Papuan Infantry Battalion, at Awala.
Unprepared for the harsh jungle warfare and burdened by an arduous supply line, the Australian troops staged valiant delaying actions, even as they strategically withdrew, combat occurring at various points along the trail. It wasn’t until September 17 that the Australians made their stand at Imita Ridge, a mere 8 kilometers from Port Moresby’s road connection. Meanwhile, Japanese forces held Ioribaiwa Ridge just 6 kilometers away.
The strategic tide soon turned. Enhanced supply logistics allowed Australian artillery at Ower’s Corner to target Japanese positions. At the same time, Japanese supply lines stretched distances that made them vulnerable. Compounded by devastating losses in Guadalcanal, the Japanese commenced a reluctant retreat, prompting fresh assaults from Australian forces. Each retreat saw strong Japanese resistance, culminating in fierce clashes as the 16th and 25th Brigades advanced to Wairopi by mid-November, pressing towards strongly contested beachheads at Gona, Buna, and Sanananda.
The Kokoda Track embodies the grit and determination of Australian soldiers, epitomising one of World War Two’s most gruelling campaigns. Though Port Moresby’s capture was unlikely a precursor to an Australian invasion, its defense ensured northern Australia remained secure for future Allied operations against Japan. Notably, the cost was high—625 Australians lost their lives, about 1600 were wounded, and sickness claimed over 4000 casualties.
This track and its history in no way celebrate war and conflict. Moreso, this track remains a relevant reminder of sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring spirit of those who traversed it in one of the Pacific’s significant World War Two encounters.
The Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby stands as a solemn tribute to the sacrifices made during the war in the south-west Pacific. This cemetery, the final resting place for thousands of Commonwealth soldiers, reflects the brutal fighting that took place across Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
The Japanese campaign in this region was fierce. After their naval assault on Port Moresby was defeated in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese attempted an overland attack via Buna and Gona in September 1942. Earlier that year, the Japanese had also secured Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, establishing a key base there. The fighting for these strategic locations was exceptionally challenging, with Allied forces eventually pushing back the Japanese forces over the next several years. The struggles in these areas resulted in heavy losses on both sides.
The graves in the Port Moresby cemetery represent these sacrifices, brought in by the Australian Army Graves Service from scattered burial grounds where hard-fought battles took place. Many of these were from Papua and Bougainville. The cemetery includes not only Australian soldiers, but also personnel from local forces and others who served in the region.
Notably, some of the graves are those of soldiers of the Royal Artillery. Captured by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore, these men tragically died in captivity. It is believed they were transferred to Bougainville to work in labour camps. Their remains were initially buried on Bailale Island in the Solomons, then later moved to a temporary cemetery on Bougainville, before finally being laid to rest in Bomana..
The Bomana War Cemetery contains 3824 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, with 699 of them unidentified. The cemetery was carefully designed by Mr. A.G. Robertson and officially unveiled by the Governor-General of Australia, Field Marshal Slim, in October 1953. It’s not just a place of rest; it is a site of remembrance and reflection.
Behind the cemetery, the Port Moresby Memorial commemorates almost 750 Australian Army (including Papua and New Guinea local forces), Australian Merchant Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in Papua New Guinea, but whose graves are unknown. The memorial provides a place for those who have no known graves and for those who died at sea to be remembered. It serves as a reminder of the tremendous sacrifices made in the region. Bougainville casualties who have no known graves are commemorated on a memorial at Suva, Fiji.
The Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby and Memorial stand as a permanent reminder of the cost of war and a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom in the Pacific.
Donations for the sub-branch’s scholarship fund can be made by contacting secretary Ric Raftis.