The Gloomy Forest

The initial formation of Maroubra Force (39th, 53rd and Papuan Infantry Battalions) faced the vanguard of the Japanese presence building up on New Guinea in June 1942. The force worked rapidly in an attempt to block the easy spread of …

1942-07-26

M2

The initial formation of Maroubra Force (39th, 53rd and Papuan Infantry Battalions) faced the vanguard of the Japanese presence building up on New Guinea in June 1942. The force worked rapidly in an attempt to block the easy spread of the Japanese forces. Using planes to assist rapid movement, the Australian command inserted platoons of the 39th Infantry Battalion at key trail points, but the Japanese buildup began to overrun any reasonable chance at defense. By the 26th of July, a critical assault on Oivi was met, with Japanese victory to jeopardize Kokoda (and the vital air strip). Templeton led the deployment of two 39th platoons to reinforce a PIB platoon at Oivi. Late in the day, just as the Japanese assault moved forward in earnest, Templeton went off into the gloomy forest to examine the rear defenses and never returned (captured and killed).

Oivi, Papua, New Guinea

The Battle of Kokoda consisted of two engagements fought in late July – early August 1942. Forming part of the Kokoda Track campaign of the Second World War, the battle involved military forces from Australia, supported by the United States, fighting against Japanese troops from Major General Tomitaro Horii's South Seas Detachment who had landed around Buna and Gona in Papua mid-July 1942, with the intent of capturing Port Moresby to the south via the overland route.

Wikipedia: Battle of Kokoda

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Commonwealth