
The Australian successes against the Stanley Detachment and then again at Templeton’s crossing were severe setbacks in the Japanese defensive plans. Within a week General Horri had lost the ground the Stanley Detachment had held and also Templeton’s.
With the Australians pushing hard towards Eora Creek Village, General Horii realised his third defensive position high above Eora creek on the northern side of the valley was far from prepared. Japanese troops whom were resting in the Kokoda area were hastily pushed forward to strengthen the defences. On the 22nd of October approximately six hundred Japanese soldiers supported by mountain guns were in place at Eora Creek, within the next few days approximately five hundred further troops reinforced the position.
Australian attacks at Eora Creek commenced on the 22nd of October. Initial attacks on the position failed at great cost of life. These attacks were of a frontal nature whilst attempting to cross a rampaging torrent of a stream with no bridges in place. They faced dug in defenders on the far bank of the creek that had guns fixed on all possible river crossing points, numerous machine guns with mutually supporting arcs of fire, and an enemy that was supported by artillery and mortar fire from above.
After five days of attempting to knock on the front door in bloody battle with little success, the Australian forces emulated Japanese tactics and conducted a classical out flanking manoeuvre. On the 26th of October the 2/3rd Battalion were sent on a wide ranging arc through the jungle to the west of the position. This was in order for them to gain a position to the north west of the heights from which the Japanese guns and main defensive position were located.
After two days of trekking through the jungle, the 2/3rd Battalion attacked the Japanese from the westward and were hugely successful. The attacked routed the Japanese from the position and the forces below in the valley were able to once again move forward.
In November 1942 Eora Creek was a battlefield of death and destruction. The creek ran red with blood and the smell of death and cordite lingered in the valley.
Such a transition to today; today Eora Creek is a place of peace and beauty, the landscape is postcard perfect and the sound of the creek cascading through the jungle is tantalising.
With the Australians pushing hard towards Eora Creek Village, General Horii realised his third defensive position high above Eora creek on the northern side of the valley was far from prepared. Japanese troops whom were resting in the Kokoda area were hastily pushed forward to strengthen the defences. On the 22nd of October approximately six hundred Japanese soldiers supported by mountain guns were in place at Eora Creek, within the next few days approximately five hundred further troops reinforced the position.
Australian attacks at Eora Creek commenced on the 22nd of October. Initial attacks on the position failed at great cost of life. These attacks were of a frontal nature whilst attempting to cross a rampaging torrent of a stream with no bridges in place. They faced dug in defenders on the far bank of the creek that had guns fixed on all possible river crossing points, numerous machine guns with mutually supporting arcs of fire, and an enemy that was supported by artillery and mortar fire from above.
After five days of attempting to knock on the front door in bloody battle with little success, the Australian forces emulated Japanese tactics and conducted a classical out flanking manoeuvre. On the 26th of October the 2/3rd Battalion were sent on a wide ranging arc through the jungle to the west of the position. This was in order for them to gain a position to the north west of the heights from which the Japanese guns and main defensive position were located.
After two days of trekking through the jungle, the 2/3rd Battalion attacked the Japanese from the westward and were hugely successful. The attacked routed the Japanese from the position and the forces below in the valley were able to once again move forward.
In November 1942 Eora Creek was a battlefield of death and destruction. The creek ran red with blood and the smell of death and cordite lingered in the valley.
Such a transition to today; today Eora Creek is a place of peace and beauty, the landscape is postcard perfect and the sound of the creek cascading through the jungle is tantalising.