Name
Unit
TB 5
MLO 1.1.13 Analyse Military History - Worksheet 5
Army Reserve General Service Officer First Appointment Course
Military History Self Paced Learning Guide
The 39 Battalion and the Kokoda Track
The Activity
This activity is a mandatory, self-paced study task. The activity requires you to revise
the Kokoda campaign, including the battles of Isurava and Gona, and make some
notes to assist you in the syndicate discussion during Training Block (TB) 5. There is
no requirement to write a large amount – dot points or a summary will suffice.
The exercise is completed in your own time between TB 4 and TB 5 and follows an
introductory lesson on military history in TB 2 and syndicate discussions on TB 3 and
TB 4. On TB 5 you will look at a specific case study from the Kokoda campaign and,
as part of a syndicate and using map models, outline developments in the example
from the point of view of one of the combatants.
In this case at RMC you will ‘play the role’ of a Japanese or Allied soldier, sailor or
officer. You will be given a biography and study notes. Participating as either ‘red’ or
‘blue’ team, you will explain your decisions, tactics or experiences during the Kokoda
campaign.
This activity is not graded but your effective pre-course preparation (completed
worksheet) is expected, as is your active participation in the case study. There are
three outcomes expected. One, you will have a better understanding of the value of
military history as part of your professional development. You will get a good insight
into tactics at the unit and sub-unit level. This will incorporate a better understanding
of the application of the principles of war and the considerations for both attack and
defence. Finally, you should gain a better insight into military leadership and take
some lessons you can incorporate into your own style.
Background to the Campaign
Describe the environment of the Owen Stanley Ranges.
Briefly, so that you understand the theatre, outline the general Japanese advance in the
Pacific region and the significance of the reverses at Coral Sea and Midway. Why
then did the Japanese consider a land-based assault on Port Moresby? What other
operations did the Japanese undertake when they launched the landings at the GonaBuna area?
Briefly outline the Kokoda campaign.
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The 39 Battalion
Outline the formation of the 39 Battalion. What actions were undertaken by the first
CO, LTCOL Conran, to strengthen the unit?
Describe the preparation and leadership of the 39 Infantry Battalion prior to
deployment at Kokoda.
Contrast the leadership approaches of the two commanders of the 39 Infantry
Battalion following the death of LTCOL Owen? How might the differences of
approach between MAJ Cameron and LTCOL Honner be seen against the Principles
of War (especially Morale) and the Principles of Leadership?
The Battle of Isurava
Describe the disposition of the 39 Battalion at Isurava. How did LTCOL Honner
attempt to utilise the Principles of War in his plan for the defence? What weaknesses
could be identified in their utilization?
Outline the Japanese plan to attack Isurava. How did MAJGEN Horii attempt to
utilise the Principles of War? What weaknesses could be identified in their
utilization?
What was the significance of the Japanese not exploiting the failure of the 53
Battalion (like 39 Battalion of the 30 Brigade) to hold the western flank? Relate this
to the Principles of War.
Why did Brigadier Potts (Commander 21 Brigade) commit two of his battalions (2/14
and 2/16) company by company to Isurava? What role did his third battalion (2/27)
play?
The 39 Battalion was relieved by the 2/14 Battalion on 27 August 1942 and its CO,
LTCOL Key took command of the battle at Isurava. Comment on the battle from this
date and the role of the 39 Battalion. What role was played by the 2/16 Battalion?
Relate these to the Principles of War.
The Withdrawal Continues
Briefly comment on the Australian withdrawal along the Kokoda Track until Imita
Ridge and the Japanese response.
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Following the Battle of Ioribaiwa, the Japanese were forced to withdraw. Consider
the Principles of War in the Japanese High Command’s decision.
Following Isurava, briefly comment on the Australian withdrawal along the Kokoda
Track until Imita Ridge and the Japanese response. What was the difference between
the two withdrawals?
The Australian Offensive
Briefly outline the Australian offensive along the Kokoda Track and the Japanese
response.
The Battle of Gona
Describe the Japanese defences at Gona. How had Japanese commanders utlised the
Principles of War? What weaknesses could be identified in their utilization?
Outline the initial Australian plan, developed by GOC 7 Div, MAJGEN Vasey, to
reduce the Japanese beachhead. How did this plan utilize the Principles of War?
What weaknesses could be identified in their utilization?
Following the deployment of the 39 Battalion to Gona, describe the area allocated to
the unit.
The 39 Battalion was ordered to attack Gona on three occasions. What was the result
of these three attacks?
Briefly describe the attack on the 8/9 December 1942. How did this plan utilize the
Principles of War? What weaknesses could be identified in their utilization?
Following the reduction of Gona, what did the 39 Battalion face and what tasks were
required to be undertaken?
How did the campaign end?
Logistics
Explain the importance of resupply to both the Australians and Japanese during the
Kokoda campaign. How did each seek to maintain and sustain their combat force?
Comment on the impact of this on the tactical planning by the respective
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commanders. What efforts were made to interdict the logistic chain of the opposing
force?
Summary
Consider the two battles of Isurava and Gona and the Principles of War. Complete
the following tables by briefly commenting on the application of the Principles of War
and Leadership by both Japanese and Australian commanders. Generally, you should
look to a positive application, however, where these were ignored, you should also
comment.
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Name
Principle of War
Unit
Isurava
Gona
Selection and
Maintenance of the
Aim
Concentration of
Force
Co-operation
Economy of Effort
Security
Offensive Action
Surprise
Flexibility
Sustainment
Morale
Table 1. Principles of War
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Leadership
Australian
Japanese
Be proficient
Know yourself and seek
self-improvement
Seek and accept
responsibility
Lead by example
Provide direction
Know and care for your
subordinates
Develop the potential of
your subordinates
Make sound and timely
decisions
Build the team and
challenge its abilities
Keep your team
informed
Table 2. Principles of Leadership
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Cadets must not engage in academic misconduct. Academic misconduct is acting in a
way, or attempting to act in a way, or assisting another cadet to act in a way which
could reasonably be expected to defeat the purpose of a learning experience or an item
of assessment or an examination. Plagiarism, cheating or collusion is evidence of
academic misconduct and is a significant integrity breach. A breach of the above may
result in the recommendation for termination of the offending cadet’s probationary
appointment as an officer
THE WORKSHEETS ARE TO BE THE PRODUCT OF YOUR OWN WORK.
YOU ARE NOT TO COLLUDE WITH OR COPY THE WORK OF ANOTHER
CADET WHEN COMPLETING THE WORKSHEETS. IF YOU ARE FOUND TO
HAVE COPIED OR COLLUDED YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY
ACTION WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CHARGE AND SUBSEQUENT
REMOVAL FROM THE COURSE.
Annexes
A.
Suggested Reading List
B.
Kokoda Campaign Timeline
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ANNEX A
SUGGESTED REFERENCES
Web based resources
http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm52/8/AWM52-8-3-78-004.pdf (The war
diary of the 39 Infantry Battalion)
http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=21 (The official Australian
history of WW II – the first year of operations in the SW Pacific)
http://niusleta.kokodatreks.com/documents/RalphHonnerOrationbyPatrickLindsay20
Aug30.doc (Address on the leadership qualities of Ralph Honner, DSO, MC and
the Kokoda campaign)
http://www.gg.gov.au/spdf/2005/s2005072320.pdf (A speech by the former Governor
General, MAJGEN Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC on Kokoda)
http://www.kokodatreks.com/history/thekokodacampaign.cfm (A commercial Kokoda
Track operator)
Book resources
Austin, V., To Kokoda and Beyond: The Story of the 39th Battalion Melbourne,
Melbourne University Press, 1988
Barrett, J., We were there: Australian soldiers of World War II tell their stories
Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 1995
Beaumont, J., Australia's war, 1939-1945 Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 1996
Browne, M. and Selhofer, H., The Kokoda Campaign Melbourne, Hachette Livre
Australia, 1985
Brune, P., A Bastard of a Place Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 2003
Brune, P, Gona's Gone Sydney, Allen & Unwin (in Association with TC-A) 2000
Brune, P., Ralph Honner: Kokoda Hero Sydney Allen & Unwin, 2007
Brune, P., Those Ragged Bloody Heroes Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 1991
Edgar, W., Warrior of Kokoda: A Biography of Brigadier Arnold Potts Sydney, Allen
& Unwin, 1999
FitzSimons, P., Kokoda Melbourne, Hachette Livre, 2004
Hall, T., New Guinea 1942 -44 Sydney, Methuen, 1981
Hawthorne, S., The Kokoda Trail: A History Brisbane, Central Queensland University
Press & Old Silvertail's Outback Books, 2003
Ham, P., Kokoda Sydney, HarperCollins, 2004
James, W., Field Guide to the Kokoda Track: An Historical Guide to the Lost
Battlefields Sydney, Kokoda Press, 2006
Johnson, C., (ed) Mud Over Blood: Stories from the 39th Infantry Battalion 1941-43,
Kokoda to Gona Melbourne, History House, 2005
Lindsay, P., The Spirit of Kokoda: Then and Now Melbourne, Hardie Grant Books,
2002
McAulay, L., Blood and Iron: The Battle for Kokoda 1942 Sydney, Hutchinson, 1991
McDonald, N., and Brune, P., 200 Shots: Damien Parer and George Silk with the
Australians at War in New Guinea Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 2005
Paul, R., Retreat From Kokoda Melbourne, Heinemann, 1958
Sublet, F., Kokoda to the Sea: A History of the 1942 Campaign in Papua Melbourne,
Slouch Hat Productions, 2000
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ANNEX B
KOKODA CAMPAIGN TIME LINE
Date
Event
21 July 1942
The Japanese expeditionary force lands at their beachhead in the
Gona-Sanananda-Buna area – commanded by MAJGEN Horii
23 July 1942
First contact between the Japanese and Australian forces at Awala –
elements of the Papuan Infantry Battalion
26 July 10942
Australians fight company delaying action at Oivi – CAPT
Templeton, OC B Coy 39 Battalion KIA
28-29 July 1942
First Battle of Kokoda – Japanese capture the village and prepare for
advance to Port Moresby and also reinforce the beachhead as this axis
of advance offers best chance to capture the capital of PNG
28 July 1942
LTCOL Owen, CO 39 Battalion KIA at Battle of Kokoda
4 August 1942
MAJ Cameron assumes command of 39 Battalion – at Deniki
8-10 August 1942
Second Battle of Kokoda results in Australians recapturing the village.
However, it can not be held against vastly superior forces and the
withdrawal of Australians down the Kokoda Track begins
13-14 August 1942
Battle of Deniki
16 August 1942
LTCOL Ralph Honner, MC assumes command of 39 Battalion – at
Isurava
26-30 August 1942
Battle of Isurava
30 August 1942
Australians continue to withdraw down the Kokoda Track
2 September 1942
Australians withdraw to Eora Creek
3 September 1942
Australians withdraw to Templeton’s Crossing
4 September 1942
Australians withdraw to Myola
6 September 1942
39 Battalion parade at Menari
8 September 1942
Battle of Brigade Hill (Mission Ridge)
10 September 1942
Australians withdraw to Menari
11-16 September 1942
Battle of Ioribaiwa
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16 September 1942
Australians withdraw to Imita Ridge – the last position occupied
during the withdrawal
24 September 1942
Japanese withdraw from Ioribaiwa
28 September 1942
Australian advance across the Kokoda Track commences
11 October 1942
Japanese delay Australian advance at Mount Bellamy
12-17 October 1942
Battle of Templeton’s Crossing
21-29 October 1942
Battle of Eora Creek
2 November 1942
Australian advance reaches Kokoda and the village is re-occupied
without resistance from the Japanese, that continue to withdraw to
their beachhead
5-11 November 1942
Battle of Oivi-Gorari
9 November 1942
21 Brigade parade at Koitaki plantation
15 November 1942
Battle of the Sanananda Track begins
18 November 1942
Battle of Gona begins
19 November 1942
Battle of Buna begins
9 December 1942
Gona captured by 39 Battalion and LTCOL Ralph Honner, MC sends
his famous message “Gona’s Gone”.
2 January 1943
Buna captured
21 January 1943
Organised Japanese resistance at Sanananda ceases – isolated pockets
continue
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