Local carriers assist wounded Australian soliders waiting for evacuation (G. Silk, 1942) Looking across the Kokoda area (Australian War Memorial, 1942) The Kokoda campaign The Kokoda campaign was very important for the people interviewed in this project. It began with the Japanese landing at Gona on 21 July 1942, and lasted until the Japanese were defeated at Sanananda on 23 January 1943. During those six months there was bitter fighting that spread from the northern coastline as far as Ioribaiwa, only forty kilometres from Port Moresby. Here are some of the main actions from the Kokoda campaign, from start to finish: 21 July 1942 Japanese forces land in Gona area; Papuan Infantry Battalion involved in the evacuation to Sangara and first engagements with the Japanese forces (23 July) 29 July–10 August 1942 Battles for Kokoda; Papuan Infantry Battalion involved in defending this area as part of Maroubra force 26–31 August 1942 Stand at Isurava; Papuan Infantry Battalion units operating behind Japanese lines in Ambasi area 31 August – 5 September 1942 Japanese forces advance past Isurava to Templeton’s Crossing; Papuan Infantry Battalion withdrawn to regroup in Sogeri area and assist with evacuation of wounded 6–9 September 1942 Australian forces pushed back at Efogi (battles of Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill) 14–16 September 1942 Japanese forces reach Ioribaiwa Ridge; furthest point of Japanese advance 26 September 1942 Japanese forces start to withdraw 13–28 October 1942 Action at Eora Creek / Templeton’s Crossing which leads to the defeat of Japanese forces; Papuan Infantry Battalion units operating behind Japanese lines at Opi River and Wairopi
Junior Hanau village Diambu Mr Mapusa Dandusei Hanau Carrier Great Uncle Stonewigg Haita Hanau village Hanau Haita Perija Hanau Carrier Father-in-law Heviki Perija Hanau Carrier Uncle-in-law Noah Jiwoko Hanau Carrier Carson Hanana Hanau village Hanau Mr Omota Tarawo Hanau Labourer for American Engineering Unit Grandfather Dennis Itari Hanau village Hanau Soni Goto Hanau Carrier Grandfather Fabian Jawoambu Hanau village Hanau Jawoambu Toja Hanau Carrier Father Bernard Oanda Barisari village Hanau Oanda Ferepa Barisari (Mahihita) Carrier Father George Nixon Simbari Hanau village Hanau Simbiri Tambari Gararo Carrier Father Paulas King Tambari Hanau village Hanau Tambari Jawompo Gararo Carrier Grandfather Keith Tembure Hanau village Hanau Dandase Perija Hanau Carrier and labourer Father Raphael Oembari Hanau Carrier Father’s other brother
Kipling Jiregari Carrier Friend Gideon Yondari Carrier Friend The seven cook boys from Gosiagu Gosiagu Cook boys Killed by Japanese bombing at Dobuduru Nicodemus Kove Carrier Friend Gibson Gisi Deboin village Deboin His own story Deboin Carrier Himself Rolf Asi Popondetta Kokoda Primary School Asi Fere PIB Father Grace Bauba Kokoda Kokoda Primary School Bauba Avea Waie Father Lindsay Farari Ombisusu village Kokoda Primary School Farari Amopa Carrier Father Stella Harika Saga village Kokoda Primary School Clement Harika Took ammunition census after war Father Maclaren Hiari Sirorata village Kokoda Primary School Jude Siroro Kure Hiari Sirata Father Sergeant Katue Kikori PIB Sergeant Vulai Mati PIB won the Distinguished Conduct Medal Max Itolo Popondetta Kokoda Primary Corporal Inta Derajinga PIB Father
School Corporal Embuto PIB Uncle Lumani Kupuri Kokoda Kokoda Primary School Kupuri Lelewa Tamata Policeman Father Charles Ofa Kamondo village Kokoda Primary School Vernon Ofa Kiviki Carrier Father Hojawo Amanda Carrier Friend of father Sanopa Papuan Policeman Alphilius Ombari Kamondo village Kokoda Primary School Ombari Hara Kamondo Telegraph linesman Father Hara Keno Kamondo Policeman Brother Vera Pehara-Irua Kanadara village Kokoda Primary School Erua Autembo Kanadara Cook Father Daniel Periwa Fala village Kokoda Primary School Periwa Lelewa Papuan Waria Policeman Father Sarah Sau Hiari Papaki village Kokoda Primary School Simon Ovamene Hiari Papaki Carrier Father Robert Michael Banaga Beama village Beama Augustine Angaro Simbiri Busiga PIB Grandfather Benjamin Moide PIB Amakai Gohiro PIB Endoga Gohiro PIB Dengari PIB
Beama village Bobura) Harold Abana Koirapusi PIB Father-in-law’s Cousin Philemon Barminas Ogomei Beama village Beama Paminas Sena Ogomei Kopuri Carrier and PIB Father Tasman Oiko Orere Beama village Beama Naitameri Oiago Orere Laundry worker Stepmother Oiko Stanley Orere Carrier & PIB Stepfather Naia Garu, Gimulae Nurse Violet Jaupa Eroro Laundry worker Victor Endegi PIB Uncle Nicholas Wowora Beama village Beama Conrad Woworu Kopure Carrier and labourer Father Mavis Manuda Tongia Popondetta Popondetta Redmond Lasibari Manuda Medical orderly Father Warrington Iaruso Thompson Iagoba Tendo Arura James Serute Medical orderly Tendo Aru Medical orderly
Kone Daube Botoguni village Mariori Mokuta Koitaki Labourer Grandfather Recks Ea’ah Bereadabu village Ea’ah Kakira (Kakira Waita) Translator, carrier, doctor, fighter Father Waigi Mumu Mother Tainori Kiroki Mesime village Kiroki Kirohi PIB Father Kauka Kone Manurinumu village Father Manumu Carrier Father Orie Kori Fakonana village Korie Inara Fakonama Scout and carrier Father Geoffry Meia Bisiatabu Meia Wai Ilolo Carrier Father Kala Meia Magere village Kariki Ada 17 Mile Carrier Father Nuana Momoa Manurinumu village Momoa Monobe Manurinumu, Sogeri Carrier Father Adam Muriumu Muriumu Maka Akea Carrier Father Jack Oga Naimunu 2 village Oga Bobogi (Jack) Giniginitana now under Sirinumu Dam Carrier and cook Father Seba Orogu Orogu Seba Sirinumu PIB Father
Haima village Inoa Bobogi Ovia Naimunu 2 village Oga Bobogi (Laila Kokoni) Southern Sogeri Carrier Father Dixie Tamati Osabevai village Tamati Babo Bisianumu Carrier Father Iorio Toina Karakadabu (Depo) village Toina Womara Depo Carrier Father Samie Toina Ianabewai village Father 12 Mile Carrier Father Bore Womara Karakadabu (Depo) village Womara Wabuta Eveidigi Sorcery man / custom doctor Father Babara Yori Sogeri Yori Mado Koitaki Scout Father Taitu Ubuni Donadabu Carrier John Auda Arue Mesime village PNG National Museum and Art Gallery Father Sogeri valley PIB Father Uncle Sogeri valley Uncle Ian I Bali Wahondada village PNG National Museum and Art Gallery Orogu Gebada, now under Sirinumu Dam Grandfather Billy Ivai PNG National Museum and Art Gallery Joel Enda Taira PNG Taira Sarua Sanata Awala Guide to Japanese Father