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Title
The Chocos
Description
In late July, the Japanese South Seas Detachment landed on the east coast of New Guinea attempting to secure an overland route to the capital of Port Moresby. A mixture of Australian militia and local militia were sent to delay this landing force. One such unit was led …
Publisher
Date
1942-07-26
Scenario#
AP165
Scenario Description
In late July, the Japanese South Seas Detachment landed on the east coast of New Guinea attempting to secure an overland route to the capital of Port Moresby. A mixture of Australian militia and local militia were sent to delay this landing force. One such unit was led by Captain Sam Templeton who had a unique background. A high-born veteran of the Spanish Civil War, he commanded a company of Australian militia in the opening of the Kokoda Trail campaign. At Oivi, Templeton fought a rearguard action which pitted the Australian militia troops, often derisively referred to as "chocolate soldiers" or "chocos", against veteran Japanese infantry.
Location
Oivi, New Guinea
Battle Name
Battle Narrative
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. The first engagement took place on 28–29 July 1942, and saw a company-sized element of Australians attempt to hold the village from the advanced elements of the Japanese landing force, which were advancing towards the entrance to the Owen Stanleys. In a short firefight, the Australian company was almost encircled before withdrawing. The second engagement took place just over a week later between 8 and 10 August, during which a weakened Australian battalion launched an attack from Deniki, aimed at re-taking Kokoda. At the same time, the main Japanese force also launched an attack and the two sides clashed head on along the track. Meanwhile, flanking attacks caught the Japanese force, which had also grown to around battalion strength, by surprise, and the Australians briefly took Kokoda and nearby Pirivi before being forced to withdraw to Deniki, which was the scene of further fighting prior to the Battle of Isurava.
Narrative Source
Combatants
Japanese
Australian
Additional Information
Scenario Type = Standard
Collection:

Geolocation