Why were the Australians involved in the Kokoda war?

Answer 1

See the links 'Kokoda Trail - Our Most Famous Battle of WW2' and 'Battle For Australia Council' for information on Australia's involvement.

An Australian battalion met a Japanese invasion force and delayed it to Kokoda village, where reinforcements took over. These reinforcements fought a delaying battle back down the Kokoda Track to Imita Ridge, where the Japanese force ran out of food and ammunition and had to beat a fighting retreat against the now heavily outnumbering Australian forces.

Note the above use of 'Kododa Track' which is what Australians called it. Trail is an American word pushed in American press releases at the time, which too many Australians have accepted instead of keeping the iconic name Track which is what our soldiers called it, and they should know and be respected.

Answer 2

Having failed at earlier attempts to take Papua New Guinea, the Japanese landed on the north of the island and proceeded to move overland to attack Port Moresby. They were eventually repulsed by Australian militiamen on the Kokoda Trail, in the first defeat of Japanese on land. The battle raged up and down the track/trail and in and around the Kokoda airstrip.

Answer 3

it was because of the Australian 39th militia battalion that the Japanese were held off long enough for the the veterans from the deserts the 9th division. It was also because if they captured port moresby they would invade us which was Australia's biggest fear.

Answer 4

During the Kokoda campaign, the Japanese were successful in making an attack on the Australian home front. The Australians were forced to retreat and were left were running low on supplies and disease reduced their fighting ability. Later on, the American fought along side of the Australians and defeated the Japanese.

Answer 5

Kokoda is an area of Papua new Guinea, Australia's nearest northern neighbour. If the Japanese had taken control of P.N.G and more importantly the capital city of Port Morsby which has a deep water port they would have been able to strike at the Australian mainland. So it was deemed in Australia's best interests to try and stop the Japanese along the Kakoda track.

Answer 6

The Kokoda Track campaign was a series of battles that took place during WW2. The battles were fought between Australia and the United States on one side, and the Empire of Japan on the other.

Answer 7

The war was World War 2. Australia was involved because Papua New Guinea was a territory of Australia, and it had the responsibility to defend it. A small Japanese force moved from New Guinea towards Port Moresby and an Australian force moved north to oppose it at Kokoda, then fighting a defensive withdrawal to Iorabaiwa, then being reinforced and driving the Japanese back again through Kokoda to pin them against the north coast.

Answer 8

The Australian Army was involved in the Kokoda campaign because the ultimate object of the Japanese was for the occupation of Australia. Also, Papua was at that time under the protection of Australia. Some 600 Australian soldiers died in this vital campaign to stop the Japanese advance .

Answer 9

To repel a Japanese attack on Port Moresby.