By mid-August, the rest of the battalion had arrived, and these men took up a position at Isurava, in jungles of the Owen Stanley Range.
The small militia force, now numbering about 300 men, was determined to make a stand against a crack Japanese force numbering at least 1500.
Then on the day the Japanese launched their attack, to the great relief of these militiamen, reinforcements from the 2nd AIF began to arrive, having spent days struggling up the track from Port Moresby.
Even so, the Australians were still outnumbered, as the Japanese also received reinforcements.
The battle for Isurava would be the defining battle of the Kokoda Campaign.
It was here that Australia’s first Victoria Cross in the Pacific war was awarded to Private Bruce Kingsbury (posthhumously), who was killed leading the charge against the Japanese.
Another two men were also nominated for the VC during the fighting at Isurava.
The outnumbered and poorly equipped Australians managed to hold back the Japanese advance for almost a week; only then did these battle-scarred and weary men begin a month-long fighting withdrawal towards Ioribaiwa Ridge just north of Port Moresby.
However, their sacrifice provided time for the Australian 25th Brigade to be brought forward — finally forcing the Japanese to withdraw just as they glimpsed the lights of Port Moresby.
Australia’s leading military historian provides a powerful retelling of the campaign.
The Battle for Isurava by David W. Cameron is published by Big Sky Publishing, RRP $32.99.
HOW TO ENTER
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WINNER
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