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Oivi-Gorari
1/5
Nov 4-11,1942: For the first time Japanese fighting troops in Papua were together on one battlefield.
The Nankai Shitai mustered 2800 men from the 41 & 144 Regts, plus engineers & 15 mountain guns.
Well entrenched, they blocked the Australian advance to the coast.
1/5
Nov 4-11,1942: For the first time Japanese fighting troops in Papua were together on one battlefield.
The Nankai Shitai mustered 2800 men from the 41 & 144 Regts, plus engineers & 15 mountain guns.
Well entrenched, they blocked the Australian advance to the coast.
2/5
The advancing Australians were blocked by 41 Regt.
The Japanese position on Oivi Heights was too strong for 16 Bde.
They couldn’t break into this position, or work around it. After 3 days, attacks on Oivi were halted as the 25 Bde struggled to Gorari along a southern track.
The advancing Australians were blocked by 41 Regt.
The Japanese position on Oivi Heights was too strong for 16 Bde.
They couldn’t break into this position, or work around it. After 3 days, attacks on Oivi were halted as the 25 Bde struggled to Gorari along a southern track.
3/5
Australian 7th Div lost 121 KIA, 225 wounded.
Almost 500 Japanese KIA, almost 500 wounded.
The Japanese lost 15 mountain guns. These had given the Japanese a big advantage in the mountain fighting and were sorely missed by the Japanese in the hard fight to come at Buna-Gona.
Australian 7th Div lost 121 KIA, 225 wounded.
Almost 500 Japanese KIA, almost 500 wounded.
The Japanese lost 15 mountain guns. These had given the Japanese a big advantage in the mountain fighting and were sorely missed by the Japanese in the hard fight to come at Buna-Gona.
4/5
This was the last major clash on the Kokoda Trail and demonstrated a growing tactical confidence by the Australian command.
They were learning from the Japanese force to quickly outflank and encircle defensive positions through thick jungle, rather than confront them head-on.
This was the last major clash on the Kokoda Trail and demonstrated a growing tactical confidence by the Australian command.
They were learning from the Japanese force to quickly outflank and encircle defensive positions through thick jungle, rather than confront them head-on.
5/5
At right, an Aboriginal soldier with an SMLE rifle.
At left is the section's Bren Gun.
The two kneeling at front each hold late-model Thompson LMGs with the horizontal forestock.
Back left, we see an earlier Thompson (front pistol grip).
At rear, the man also has a Thompson.
At right, an Aboriginal soldier with an SMLE rifle.
At left is the section's Bren Gun.
The two kneeling at front each hold late-model Thompson LMGs with the horizontal forestock.
Back left, we see an earlier Thompson (front pistol grip).
At rear, the man also has a Thompson.
