Essay On Kokoda

The Battle of Kokoda is remembered as being the most significant battle fought by the Australian’s in World War II.
(4) Kokoda is recognized as one of the most celebrated and significant battle fought by the ANZAC’S because of the fear of the looming invasion by the Japanese at the time of Kokoda. Japanese were establishing them self a powerful army but the Australians were not threatened by them until a their were a few battles which heightened the fear of the Australian’s which included the Nanjing Massacre. In 1937 on December 13, the first troops of Japan’s Central China Front Army, commanded by General Matsui Iwane, entered Nanjing the capital of China. Even before their arrival of the Japanese, the word had begun to spread of the numerous atrocities they had committed on their route through China, including killing contests. Chinese soldiers were hunted down and killed by the thousands, and were then just left in mass graves. Entire families were massacred, and even the elderly and infants were targeted for execution. Tens of thousands of women were also raped. Bodies littered the streets for months after the massacre. The Japanese were determined to destroy the city so they looted and burned at least one third of Nanjing’s buildings.

(5) The progression
Australia won some battles along the trail but were forced to retreat towards Port Moresby by the threat of the Japanese. By early September 1942, the Japanese were within 48 kilometres of Port Moresby but they were far from their supply base and were weakening. Both sides were suffering from hunger and disease. American forces destroyed Japanese supply ships and Japan withdrew from the battle. This is how Kokoda is remembered now as The efforts of the Australian soldiers are often seen as being critical in the defense of Australia against the threat of Japanese