During the second week of August 1942 the 39th Battalion consolidated all its Company’s in the vicinity of Deniki. The Australian force now consisted of 33 officers and 443 other ranks of the 39th Battalion; eight Australians and 35 native troops of the PIB; and two officers and 12 native members of the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) for a total of 533 troops.
It was at this time Major Allan Cameron (whom on the death of Lieutenant Colonel Owen had been sent across the track to take command), decided to conduct offensive operations and retake the village and airstrip of Kokoda. This risky attack against an unknown enemy force that later was found to number at least one thousand was carried out using three companies of the 39th Battalion.
On 8 August the three companies left Deniki separately via different routes. Only Captain Noel Symington's A Company succeeded in reaching Kokoda and successfully re-took the village, finding it very lightly defended. This company used a lesser known track to the west of the main Kokoda track and via roundabout route entered Kokoda predominantly unopposed.
Soon after leaving the Deniki position, Captain Bidstrup’s D Company ran into enemy troops to the East of Kokoda in the vicinity of Pirivi. This resulted in heavy fighting that continued throughout the day with the Japanese continually reinforcing their position. As darkness fell D Company began a fighting withdrawal to Deniki.
C Company whom followed the main Kokoda track back towards Kokoda was ambushed by a large Japanese force and was initially pinned down. Captain Dean (C Company Commanding Officer) was killed during the ambush. C Company continued to push forward and their initial attacks over ran the Japanese forward positions; however, the Japanese blocking forces were extensive and the frontal assault via this route was unsuccessful. During the day C Company repeatedly attempted to withdraw back to Deniki, due to sustained Japanese attacks they were unable to do so until night fell.
The following day, two Papuan policemen arrived at Deniki to advise Major Cameron that A Company had occupied Kokoda and they were under attack and were awaiting reinforcements and supplies.
Major Cameron contacted Port Moresby and was told that reinforcements via air would not be available until the following day due to poor weather conditions.
An attempt was made by to reinforce A Company by air, it failed when the aircraft bringing the reinforcements in were unable to establish if the Kokoda airstrip was in friendly hands and subsequently flew back to Port Moresby without landing.
On that day, the Japanese repeatedly attacked A Company. The battles continued into the night and in the darkness the Japanese were able to infiltrate the Australian perimeter, this ensured that intense hand to hand fighting continued until the dawn. By late afternoon on the 9th August, the Australians had consumed all of their food and had very little ammunition left. After dark, A Company silently withdrew to the west and returned to the Battalion position at Deniki.
It was at this time Major Allan Cameron (whom on the death of Lieutenant Colonel Owen had been sent across the track to take command), decided to conduct offensive operations and retake the village and airstrip of Kokoda. This risky attack against an unknown enemy force that later was found to number at least one thousand was carried out using three companies of the 39th Battalion.
On 8 August the three companies left Deniki separately via different routes. Only Captain Noel Symington's A Company succeeded in reaching Kokoda and successfully re-took the village, finding it very lightly defended. This company used a lesser known track to the west of the main Kokoda track and via roundabout route entered Kokoda predominantly unopposed.
Soon after leaving the Deniki position, Captain Bidstrup’s D Company ran into enemy troops to the East of Kokoda in the vicinity of Pirivi. This resulted in heavy fighting that continued throughout the day with the Japanese continually reinforcing their position. As darkness fell D Company began a fighting withdrawal to Deniki.
C Company whom followed the main Kokoda track back towards Kokoda was ambushed by a large Japanese force and was initially pinned down. Captain Dean (C Company Commanding Officer) was killed during the ambush. C Company continued to push forward and their initial attacks over ran the Japanese forward positions; however, the Japanese blocking forces were extensive and the frontal assault via this route was unsuccessful. During the day C Company repeatedly attempted to withdraw back to Deniki, due to sustained Japanese attacks they were unable to do so until night fell.
The following day, two Papuan policemen arrived at Deniki to advise Major Cameron that A Company had occupied Kokoda and they were under attack and were awaiting reinforcements and supplies.
Major Cameron contacted Port Moresby and was told that reinforcements via air would not be available until the following day due to poor weather conditions.
An attempt was made by to reinforce A Company by air, it failed when the aircraft bringing the reinforcements in were unable to establish if the Kokoda airstrip was in friendly hands and subsequently flew back to Port Moresby without landing.
On that day, the Japanese repeatedly attacked A Company. The battles continued into the night and in the darkness the Japanese were able to infiltrate the Australian perimeter, this ensured that intense hand to hand fighting continued until the dawn. By late afternoon on the 9th August, the Australians had consumed all of their food and had very little ammunition left. After dark, A Company silently withdrew to the west and returned to the Battalion position at Deniki.
Kokoda commemoration website by the Australia Government has a great series of animated battle maps - view the second Kokoda one here.
