Kokoda Battle of Isurava Anniversary Trek
Team 10 – Wednesday 24 August – Saturday 03 September
The village of Isurava was the site of one of several desperate battles fought by Australian troops during their retreat along the Kokoda Trail. Their position at Deniki becoming untenable, the 39th Battalion, then the only Australian unti confronting the Japanese on withdrew to Isurava on the night of 14 August 1942. Poorly equipped, the battalion had to dig-in with bayonets, bully beef tins and helmets. The 39th was fortunate that the Japanese did not immediately follow-up their success at Deniki and a lull in the fighting ensued for almost a fortnight, allowing reinforcements from the 21st Brigade to begin moving forward. Read more.
Team 11 – Saturday 03 September – Tuesday 13 September
Maroubra Force withdrew to the next defensible strong point on the Track, a feature known as Mission Ridge. Following the containment of the Japanese at Milne Bay, Allen finally released the 2/27th Infantry Battalion from the divisional reserve at Port Moresby. After advancing along the Track from Port Moresby, the 2/27th Infantry Battalion finally joined Maroubra Force at Mission Ridge, and Brigadier Potts was finally able to commit his entire brigade to the battle. Read more.
Team 14A – Tuesday 01 November – Saturday 12 November
- Kokoda to Ower’s Corner
Team14B – Tuesday 25 October – Saturday 05 November
- Ower’s Coner to Kokoda
Fuzzy Wuzzy Day is November 3, celebrated in the village of Kokoda.
The Kokoda Anniversary Trek commemorates the day Kokoda was reoccupied by the AIF and the Australian flag was rasied once again over Kokoda. . Teams 14A and 14B will meet in Kokoda Village on Nov 2, the eve of Fuzzy wuzzy Day- Nov 3. Fuzzy Wuuzy day. The official Fuzzy Wuzzy Day celebrations include a reenactment of the flag raising, traditional dancing and so much more. Villagers will be coming from along the Track and from other provinces of PNG just for the festivities. After the celebration Team 14A will depart Kokoda to commence their while Team 14B, having completed their trek, will fly to Port Moresby and return home.Read more.
