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The Japanese wanted to take Port Moresby over for a base to invade Australia.
It has been speculated that the Japanese wanted a base from which to mount an attack on Australia. Certainly, Port Moresby stood in the way of Japanese domination over the south Pacific. The defence of Port Moresby was critical to victory in the south Pacific and to the defence of Australia. Had Port Moresby fallen, it would have left northern Australia more vulnerable to attack.
Singapore had already fallen, Rabaul (PNG) had already fallen, and the Japanese troops were getting much closer. Over the period of a year or more, Darwin and northern parts of Australia experienced periodic bombings from the Japanese.
In May 1942, a Japanese invasion fleet departed Rabaul for Port Moresby, and the Battle of the Coral Sea began. It was a very real threat which was only turned back by the US aircraft leaving from carriers. After being turned back by the US, the Japanese then turned their attention to an attack over the Owen Stanley Range via the Kokoda Track, which linked the northern and southern coasts of Papua New Guinea. Thanks to the Papua New Guinean natives assisting the Australians and the US troops, the Japanese were turned back, having to retreat to bases at Buna, Gona and Sanananda, where they were eventually defeated.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoPort Moresby is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the Papuan Peninsula of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942-43 in World War II, as a staging point and air base to cut off Australia from Southeast Asia and the Americas.
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What was the importance of the kokoda trail campaign?
The Japanese wanted to take Port Moresby to make invading Australia easier and the Australians had to keep Port Moresby.
Why did the Japanese want to take control of the Kokoda trail?
The Japanese wanted to take control of the Kokoda Trail so that they could control Port Moresby, on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea. the Kokoda Trail was the only way to get across the Owen Stanley Range, which separated the Japanese nases in the north from Port Moresby. Once they controlled Port Moresby, they would be in a position to cut off Australia from US help. There was some concern that they would then launch invasion forces into Australia, thereby completing their control of a huge area of the Pacific.
What caused the Kokoda Campaign?
The Kokoda Track campaign was a series of battles over a period of six months between the Japanese and the Australians. It showed the dogged determination of the Aussies. The Japanese were attempting to capture bases close to Australia in order to launch more effective air attacks on the Australian mainland . Port Moresby on the southern coast of New Guinea was in a good position to launch such attacks . The Japanese had attempted to send a fleet around the eastern end of New Guinea but were intercepted and stopped ( the Battle of the Coral Sea ) . An alternative method was to march overland from the North of New Guinea down the Kokoda track . But Australian troops were sent to stop that move . The Japanese pushed the Australians back down the track until they were actually in sight of Port Moresby . The determined resistance of the Australians the rugged terrain and ambush tactics wore down the Japanese to the point were they were almost a spent force . Also at that point in time the Americans counter offensive in the Pacific had commenced particularly at the island of Guadalcanal . The Japanese could no longer hope to continue their attack to the South and began to withdraw back along the Kokoda Track . The main significance of the fighting on the track was the delaying tactics used by the Australians had allowed time for Port moresby to be heavily reinforced and also had weakened the Japanese to the point that even if they had reached Port Moresby it is unlikely that they would have been able to capture it . From that point on the Japanese were forced to retreat in the Pacific .
What was the outcom of the battle of coral sea?
It forced the Japanese to call off their attack on New Guinea.The Battle of Coral Sea took place when the United States sent two aircraft carriers to counter Japan's move to take Port Moresby in New Guinea.
How long does it take to fly from Melbourne to Port Moresby?
The distance to cover is around 1700 Nautical Miles, which takes a jet airplane around 4 hours to fly.
Where is pest control on runescape?
take a boat from port sarim by the squire to pest control
How did the victory at Vicksburg help to fulfill the Anaconda Plan?
The victory, followed of that of Port Hudson allowed Union to take the control of the whole Mississippi River.
Why were the Australians involved in the Kokoda war?
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.
Why were the Daimyo able to take control of parts of Japan?
because they just were. they were the japanese
How did The Mukden Incident allow the Japanese to take control over Manchuria?
Claiming Japanese territory was attacked by China. (Apex ;))
How many times did the British take control over Port-Royal?
i need this answer in 20 mins
What is the minimum distance to Papua New Guinea from Australia?
The straight-line distance from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to Cairns, Australia is 520.4 miles. A nonstop flight would take 55 minutes.
