The Pacific War Kadoka

Theatres of war World War two was the first time almost the entire world was involved. Europe, Oceania, North America and Africa all played massive roles within this war. It was not limited to these regions however most of the second world war occurred within this regions.

Europe Europe had a long history of war, the first world war was fought within Europe. Since the first world war there was increasing tension between Germany and the allies (France and Britain) Australia was directly involved as they were a part of the commonwealth. Robert Menzies the president at the time stated it was out “melancholy duty” From that point on Australia became directly involved with many wars within Europe.

Lead up the battle of the pacific Before the war in pacific broke out, Australian soldiers were confined to wars within Europe and north Africa. On the 7 th of December 1941 the Japanese imperial air force bombed the biggest navy base in America. The Japanese knew if they could wipe out the American Navy they would then be able to control the pacific. The Japanese bombed the Americans with 353 planes. Killing over 2000 americans, destroying 188 planes, sinking four navy ships and damaging six battle ships

The war in the pacific begins On the 8 th of December America declared war on Japan and entered World War two. The war in the pacific had begun. After an immanent threat of invasion as the Japanese moved closer to Australia, the Australian government decided this was the most important theatre of war. Troops were pulled from Europe and Australia officially entered the pacific was by the end of 1942

The Pacific War From records recovered post world war two, it was clear that Japan was never going to invade Australia. However they did want to cut of Australia’s supply line with America. The Japanese had most of the success in the early years of the pacific war. However when America defeated the Japanese in the battle of the coral sea in May 1942 this marked a turn in momentum for the allies. The Japanese were then defeated in the battle of Midway again by the American navy and this marked a halt to the Japanese success. This then lead to the Japanese military leaders attempting to win the war over the land. The battle along the Kokoda trail along with the battle of Guadalcanal signified the shift of power within the pacfic

Kokoda The Japanese objective was to capture Port Moresby After the defeat on the coral sea the Japanese knew that taking port Moresby by sea was impossible. The knew mission was to be the Kokoda track. This was the most direct way across these rugged mountains a jungle pathway known as the Kokoda Track The battle lasted four grueling months from the 21 July 1942 to the 16 November 1942

Kokoda At the start the Japanese advanced quickly. Australian soldiers were struggling with – Their inexperience in jungle warfare – Weather conditions – Tropical diseases—malairia – Outdates maps – Exhaustion – Difficulty in obtaining supplies Soldiers located at Ower’s Corner halted the Japanese advance. They now had access by jeep, supplies were replenished and moral was lifted

Kokoda The Japanese had also been fighting a loosing battle against the Americans at Guadalcanal. The Japanese troops along the Kokoda trail were ordered to retreat and defend positions they already had secured— Gona, Buna and Sanananda The Japanese were then forced back to the north shore. The victory on the Kokoda trail was won.

Activity 1 Web research Log onto the learning portal on wiki spaces john-therry-hsie.wikispaces.com Here you will find the website, all the answers to this worksheet can be found on this website.

Sources Primary source Original document Was taken by someone who was there when the event happened Diary entry Newspaper article Photography Artefacts Secondary source These sources are written after the fact Ability to use hind sight Interprets and analyses primary sources Encyclopedias Textbooks Magazines

Sources Why are they important? Ability to study historical events Vivid images and descriptions of the past Opinions on what actually happened Problems? Bias Validity/reliability Perspective

TOMACRU T = Type O = Origin M = Motive A = Audience C = Content R = Reliability U = usefulness

Activity 2 You will be given a worksheet to look at and evaluate sources You are to answer these questions and we will discuss them as a class once you have done. Put your historian caps on!

Source 1 Source from an Australian soldier’s account of conditions on the Kokoda trail. “I was one of a party of considerable size, who were cut off in the dense jungle for fourteen long weary days without food. All I had to eat for the first ten days was one tin of bully beef, one packet of hard biscuits, half a pound of dehydrated ration and a little chocolate ration. When we were permitted to light a fire, it was often too wet, as it rains up here every day and every night. We would be wet through and have to sleep in wet clothes, and would we shiver! All we had to sleep in was a holey ground sheet. The ground up in the jungle is never dry and smells terribly, the leaves and trees are simply rotten through no sun ever penetrating the think foliage.”

Source 2 The golden stairs along the Kokoda trail 3000 stairs

Source 3 8 July: Made Ioribaiwa. Had carriers for our packs and just as well. Two long hills to climb. Missed out on tea as I was with last of troops. Had a job to get some of them to make it. Uncle Sam came back and helped me about half-way up last hill. Was carrying four rifles and three haversacks and had doubts about making in myself. Uncle Sam insisted on carrying all my gear as well as that of others. Had a busy time when reached camp. Many feet blistered and chafes from haversacks and rifle slings. Camp cold and wet. Made a brew of rum and lime and hot water which revived some. Many non-drinkers among these kids. Rum turned out to be mainly metho spirits. Doled out by Steve [Captain Stevenson, Second-in- Command, B Company]. Had a bad, cold night. Captain Bert Kienzle--The 39th Battalion Advance across the Kokoda Trail