today.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Goroka Airport today
today.
Goroka Market today
Eastern Highlands this morning, which I visited before flying back to Port
Moresby.
It's one of the better markets in the country with garden-fresh produce
which visitors like me scoop up before flying out.
I might add, as a footnote, that the Air Niugini Dash 8 which I flew on back
to Port Moresby was chock-a-block with bags of fresh vegetables.
I'm going to have a nice vegetable dinner tonight!
Pascal Lamy launches WTO Report 2009 at APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting
With WTO economists forecasting a decline in world merchandise by 10 percent in 2009, WTO Director-General, Pascal Lamy, who was present during the APEC Trade Ministers’ Meetings (21 – 22 July), explains that:
“This adversity is severely testing the policy ingenuity of governments across the globe, and in today’s interdependent world, their willingness to make common cause in addressing shared challenges. Effective international cooperation and open markets are as vital today as they have ever been.”
This year’s Report, World Trade Report 2009: Trade Policy Commitments and Contingency Measures examines various trade agreement measures used by governments in times of crisis, their implications to an economy and to the trading system, at large.The challenge, according to the report, is in “designing disciplines for the use of contingency measures is to strike a balance between flexibility and commitments. Too much flexibility may undermine the value of commitments but too little may render the rules unsustainable.” Says Director-General Pascal Lamy in his introductory comments: “The topic for this year's World Trade Report is highly relevant to the challenge of ensuring that the channels of trade remain open in face of economic adversity. Well-balanced contingency measures, designed primarily to deal with a variety of unanticipated market situations, are key to the effectiveness and the stability of trade agreements and to avoiding high intensity protectionism.”Last year, APEC Leaders committed to refrain from implementing any WTO inconsistent measures in any area. Ministers have since pledged to resist any forms of protectionism that impede competition and market efficiency, to notify the WTO of any measures that fall short of those commitments and to work with partners to strengthen WTO capabilities to undertake regular monitoring.
Excerpts from Lamy’s news conference may be found on the APEC website: www.apec.org
For more information, contact:
Carolyn Williams at cdw@apec.org or at (65) 9617 7316
Anita Douglas at ad@apec.org or at (65) 9172 6427
Benefits of globalisation to be more widely spread across APEC societies, say Ministers
Issued by the APEC Secretariat
The complete Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade, Statement of the Chair (21 – 22 July 2009) may be found at: http://www.apec.org/media/2009_mrt_statement.html
For more information, contact:
Carolyn Williams at cdw@apec.org or at (65) 9617 7316
Anita Douglas at ad@apec.org or at (65) 9172 6427
APEC Trade Ministers address economic crisis and positioning for trade recovery
Issued by the APEC Secretariat
The complete Statement on Addressing the Economic Crisis and Positioning for Recovery may be accessed at: http://www.apec.org/media/2009_mrt_standaone_statement.html
For more information, contact:
Carolyn Williams at cdw@apec.org or at (65) 9617 7316
Anita Douglas at ad@apec.org or at (65) 9172 6427
Friday, July 24, 2009
Light of hope shines on the children of Laloki
The sad remains of St Peter’s Literacy School-Laloki after the senseless burning and destruction in June 2008
A sense of normalcy at makeshift classroom at St Peter’s Literacy School – LalokiThe first tragedy of war is innocence, more so in Papua New Guinea, where the ubiquitous violence so tragically affects our young children.
People are needlessly killed, schools and hospitals are burned down, in this ever-present orgy of violence.
Such is the story of St Peter’s Literacy School at Laloki outside Port Moresby.
Site preparations were underway to rebuild St Peter's Literacy School at the new site at Laloki when disaster struck.
On June 26, 2008, ethic clashes flared between Western Highlanders and Goilalas over the death of a Western Highlands taxi driver at Laloki.
During the subsequent rampage and attacks that took place, all building and school materials for Light of Hope (PNG) – the charity group organising the building of the school - were looted and the storage shed burnt down by supporters of Western Highlanders and opportunists.
Light of Hope PNG had been financially supporting efforts for literacy programmes for Goilala children, born and raised out of Baruni Dump, since November 2000.
The school, St Peter's Literacy School at Baruni, was the vision and initiative of one Peter Laiam from Goilala.
With supervision from Sisters of the Order of St Joseph, namely Sr Elmah, additional community programmes included personal hygiene, health and cooking for
women of Goilala.
Light of Hope PNG, through Pro-Ma Systems PNG Ltd, provided the funding to pay for two classrooms, fulltime wages for four teachers, wages for cooks to cook meals,
two sets of school uniforms for over 80 children (ages 6 - 15), and all school materials including desks and books.
In October 2006, due to ethnic clashes between Baruni landowners and Goilalas, the Baruni landowners burned down all settlements in Baruni Dump area except for
the school classroom building and teachers’ houses.
The local councillor from Baruni village ordered the closure and dismantling of St Peters Literacy School.
The children of Goilala living off the dump have since returned to scavenging for food there and other activities since closure of the school.
In the meantime, since December 2006, Light of Hope PNG embarked on a search for land and an alternate site for St Peter's Literacy School.
Over a year later, in January 2008, an agreement was reached with lease holders of a block of land at Laloki, about 10 minutes drive outside of Port Moresby.
Transfer of land was formalised and preparatory work commenced immediately.
All work was progressing with the building of a storage shed and positioning of building materials on site.
All that hard work and vision, however, came to an abrupt end overnight with the senseless violence at Laloki,
“Light of Hope PNG had just raised funds from its first corporate fundraising event in May 2008 and purchased materials to rebuild the school when this happened,” Mr Duma recalls of the Laloki tragedy.
“So this was a major set back and the school could not be rebuilt whilst peace and reconcilitation processes took place under police supervision and appeals from both MP Andrew Mald and Governor Powes Parkop.”
After more than a year, peace and normalcy has finally been restored at Laloki, and on August 1, Light of Hope (PNG) is hosting its second corporate fundraising event, supported by Pro-Ma Systems, at Crowne Plaza in Port Moresby,
“This is to raise additional funds for completion of the project to make up for losses suffered in June 2008,” Mr Duma explains.
“As chairman of the fundraising committee, I am appealing for support from business houses, many of whom have workers and staff residing in settlements in and around Eight-Mile and Laloki areas, whose children would benefit from this effort during 2009 when literacy programmes commence from St. Peters' Literacy School.
“Also, I am appealing to political leaders and parliamentary representatives of various ethnic groups residing in settlements around Laloki area to support by donating funds or sponsor corporate tables.
“Plans are well in place for building works to commence in August and official opening in November by founders of Pro-Ma Systems and Light of Hope (PNG) Inc Mr Val Fittler and Mrs Sandra Fittler, coinciding with Pro-Ma Systems annual national conference.
“The entire Pro-Ma distributor network throughout PNG is also called upon to share in the vision of the founders towards a brighter future for underprivileged children in PNG and continue supporting by engaging in Pro-Ma business activities, from which funds have gone towards Light of Hope work since 2000.”
Light of Hope, a non-profit organisation registered in Australia, is administered by Pro-Ma Systems with every dollar given to this worthy cause forwarded to those with real needs.
Light of Hope delivers food, clothing, shelter and clean water to the needy, such as those at Laloki.
Beyond this obvious front line attack, the organisation is also investing heavily into the development of local leaders.
Imparting skills and life building education, helpless communities are being transformed as a ray of hope pierces the night.
Light of Hope provides aid to children of all nationalities without partiality to creed or race, equipping, training and empowering children to become leaders who can positively impact future generations.
For more information, contact Mr Duma on telephone 323 1393, mobile 72009901 or email aduma@pro-masystems.com.pg
People are needlessly killed, schools and hospitals are burned down, in this ever-present orgy of violence.
Such is the story of St Peter’s Literacy School at Laloki outside Port Moresby.
Site preparations were underway to rebuild St Peter's Literacy School at the new site at Laloki when disaster struck.
On June 26, 2008, ethic clashes flared between Western Highlanders and Goilalas over the death of a Western Highlands taxi driver at Laloki.
During the subsequent rampage and attacks that took place, all building and school materials for Light of Hope (PNG) – the charity group organising the building of the school - were looted and the storage shed burnt down by supporters of Western Highlanders and opportunists.
Light of Hope PNG had been financially supporting efforts for literacy programmes for Goilala children, born and raised out of Baruni Dump, since November 2000.
The school, St Peter's Literacy School at Baruni, was the vision and initiative of one Peter Laiam from Goilala.
With supervision from Sisters of the Order of St Joseph, namely Sr Elmah, additional community programmes included personal hygiene, health and cooking for
women of Goilala.
Light of Hope PNG, through Pro-Ma Systems PNG Ltd, provided the funding to pay for two classrooms, fulltime wages for four teachers, wages for cooks to cook meals,
two sets of school uniforms for over 80 children (ages 6 - 15), and all school materials including desks and books.
In October 2006, due to ethnic clashes between Baruni landowners and Goilalas, the Baruni landowners burned down all settlements in Baruni Dump area except for
the school classroom building and teachers’ houses.
The local councillor from Baruni village ordered the closure and dismantling of St Peters Literacy School.
The children of Goilala living off the dump have since returned to scavenging for food there and other activities since closure of the school.
In the meantime, since December 2006, Light of Hope PNG embarked on a search for land and an alternate site for St Peter's Literacy School.
Over a year later, in January 2008, an agreement was reached with lease holders of a block of land at Laloki, about 10 minutes drive outside of Port Moresby.
Transfer of land was formalised and preparatory work commenced immediately.
All work was progressing with the building of a storage shed and positioning of building materials on site.
All that hard work and vision, however, came to an abrupt end overnight with the senseless violence at Laloki,
“Light of Hope PNG had just raised funds from its first corporate fundraising event in May 2008 and purchased materials to rebuild the school when this happened,” Mr Duma recalls of the Laloki tragedy.
“So this was a major set back and the school could not be rebuilt whilst peace and reconcilitation processes took place under police supervision and appeals from both MP Andrew Mald and Governor Powes Parkop.”
After more than a year, peace and normalcy has finally been restored at Laloki, and on August 1, Light of Hope (PNG) is hosting its second corporate fundraising event, supported by Pro-Ma Systems, at Crowne Plaza in Port Moresby,
“This is to raise additional funds for completion of the project to make up for losses suffered in June 2008,” Mr Duma explains.
“As chairman of the fundraising committee, I am appealing for support from business houses, many of whom have workers and staff residing in settlements in and around Eight-Mile and Laloki areas, whose children would benefit from this effort during 2009 when literacy programmes commence from St. Peters' Literacy School.
“Also, I am appealing to political leaders and parliamentary representatives of various ethnic groups residing in settlements around Laloki area to support by donating funds or sponsor corporate tables.
“Plans are well in place for building works to commence in August and official opening in November by founders of Pro-Ma Systems and Light of Hope (PNG) Inc Mr Val Fittler and Mrs Sandra Fittler, coinciding with Pro-Ma Systems annual national conference.
“The entire Pro-Ma distributor network throughout PNG is also called upon to share in the vision of the founders towards a brighter future for underprivileged children in PNG and continue supporting by engaging in Pro-Ma business activities, from which funds have gone towards Light of Hope work since 2000.”
Light of Hope, a non-profit organisation registered in Australia, is administered by Pro-Ma Systems with every dollar given to this worthy cause forwarded to those with real needs.
Light of Hope delivers food, clothing, shelter and clean water to the needy, such as those at Laloki.
Beyond this obvious front line attack, the organisation is also investing heavily into the development of local leaders.
Imparting skills and life building education, helpless communities are being transformed as a ray of hope pierces the night.
Light of Hope provides aid to children of all nationalities without partiality to creed or race, equipping, training and empowering children to become leaders who can positively impact future generations.
For more information, contact Mr Duma on telephone 323 1393, mobile 72009901 or email aduma@pro-masystems.com.pg
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The significance of Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea
A soldier of the Papua Infantry Battalion in January 1941. It was a patrol of the PIB that on July 23 1942, at Awala, first encountered the Japanese advancing from the north Papuan coast up the Kokoda Track. Picture by AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
Papua New Guinea carriers on the Kokoda Track in August 1942. Captain GH ‘Doc’ Vernon, the medical officer for the carriers on Kokoda wrote: “…the immediate prospect before them was grim, a meal that consisted only of rice and none too much of that, and a night of shivering discomfort for most as there was only enough blankets to issue on to every man.” (Vernon, quoted by Victor Austin, To Kokoda and Beyond: The Story of the 39th Battalion, 1941-1943). Picture by AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
Papua New Guinean stretcher bearers tending Private A Baldwin 2/33rd Battalion, on the Kokoda Track, October 1942. Of the care of the bearers, Captain Henry ‘Blue’ Steward, Regimental Medical Officer, 2/16th Battalion, wrote: “With four men each side of a stretcher, they took it in turns to sleep and to watch, giving each wounded man whatever food, drink or comfort there might be. “ (HD Steward, Recollections of a Regimental Medical Officer). Picture by AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel statue at the war museum at KokodaRemembrance Day falls today but surprisingly few Papua New Guineans continue to know the significance of the day.
Thousands of young people do not seem to know the sacrifices of their grandfathers during World War 11 and ensuing conflicts such as the recently-ended one on Bougainville.
Remembrance Day is held on July 23 in recognition of the first engagement between PNG troops of the native Papua Infantry Battalion and Japanese troops on that day in 1942 at Awala near Kokoda.
The PIB fought in Buna, Gona, Sanananda and Kumusi in the Northern Province alongside Australian soldiers.
Today marks the 67th anniversary of the first engagement by PNG and Australian forces against the invading Japanese in WWII.
Out of the chaos and death that followed came the enduring heroism of the Kokoda Trail, and the special relationship that has bound PNG and Australia ever since.
It was on this day, in 1942, that Japanese troops landed on the northern coast of New Guinea and unexpectedly began to march over the Owen Stanley Ranges with the intent of capturing Port Moresby.
Had they succeeded, the mainland of Australia would have come under dire threat.
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the first engagement between the opposing troops, and from that engagement, as the Australian force was progressively outnumbered, began the long fighting withdrawal over the Owen Stanley Range.
The 21st Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Potts DSO MC, was rushed to New Guinea and within days, its 1, 500 men were closing in on the precarious Owen Stanley Ranges in an attempt to position themselves to stop the advance of the Japanese forces - now building up to over 10, 000 men.
The brigade also engaged the ill-trained but gallant militia 39th Battalion at Isurava in the foothills on the far side of the range.
In 1942, a seldom-used track climbed from the small village of Buna on the north coast of Papua, over the Owen Stanley Ranges and on to Port Moresby.
The track was fairly easy up the slopes through Gorari and Oivi to the village of Kokoda, which stood on a small plateau 400 metres above sea level, flanked by mountains rising to over 2000 metres.
It then climbed over steep ridges and through deep valleys to Deniki, Isurava, Kagi, Ioribaiwa, Ilolo and, at Owers’ Corner, linked with a vehicle road leading from plantations in the hills above Port Moresby down to the coastal plains.
Between Kokoda and Ilolo, the track often climbed up gradients so steep that it was heartbreaking labor for burdened men to climb even a few hundred yards.
Much of the track was through dense rainforest, which enclosed the narrow passage between walls of thick bush.
At higher levels the terrain became moss and stunted trees, which were often covered in mist.
From July to November 1942, this was the setting for a bitter campaign to prevent the fall of Port Moresby.
On January 23, 1942, the Japanese landed at Kavieng on New Ireland and at Rabaul on New Britain where they quickly overcame the Australian defenders.
On March 8, the Japanese established themselves firmly at Lae and Salamaua in Morobe.
But the famous Battle of the Coral Sea from May 5 to 8 averted a Japanese sea-borne invasion of Port Moresby.
The American success at the Battle of Midway in June not only destroyed Japan's capacity for undertaking long range offensives but also provided the Americans with the opportunity to move from the defensive to the offensive.
The Japanese, who were regularly bombing Port Moresby with 20 to 30 bombers with fighter escort, decided on the overland attack across the Owen Stanley Ranges.
On the Kododa Trail the Australian 7th Division resisted the Japanese General Horii's overland attempt to capture Port Moresby, and the advance was halted within 30 miles of the city.
A small force of Australians known as ‘Maroubra Force’ arrived at Buna on July 21, 1942, as the first Japanese force of 15, 00 men landed at Gona, eight miles to the west.
The first engagement between the opposing troops was on July 23, 1942, and from that engagement, as the Australian force was progressively outnumbered, began the long fighting withdrawal over the Owen Stanley Range.
Kokoda is a small plateau on the north-east slopes of the Owen Stanley Range and possessed a small airstrip the retention of which, for at least as long as it would take Australia to fly in supplies and reinforcements, was of great importance.
However, the remnants of Maroubra Force, exhausted by a month's constant fighting, were unable to achieve this.
Valiant though their effort was, even recapturing the plateau after being driven out, the Japanese need was of equal importance.
They needed a forward base at Kokoda for their drive over the ranges along the Kokoda Trail to Port Moresby and they struck before the Australians were able to muster sufficient strength.
The initiative now remained with the Japanese and Australian withdrawal began again -through Isurava, Alola, Templeton's Crossing, Myola, Efogi, Menari and Nauro until at Ioribaiwa Ridge, beyond which the Japanese could not be permitted to penetrate, a final stand was made.
From August 26 to September 16 in 1942, Brigadier Potts's Maroubra Force, consisting of the 2/16th Battalion, together with the 2/14th, the 2/27th and the militia 39th and scattered elements of the ill-trained 53rd Battalion - outnumbered and outgunned by an estimated five to one - fought the Japanese to an eventual standstill on the ridges overlooking Port Moresby.
Two main battles were fought during that period (Isurava August 26 to 29 and Brigade ‘Butchers' Hill from September 6 to 8).
In general, the desperately tired but determined force kept themselves between the Japanese Major General Horri's South Sea Force and Port Moresby - defending, retreating and then counter-attacking in a masterly display of strategic defence.
Conditions were almost indescribable.
It rained for most of the time, the weary men endured some of the most difficult terrain in the world and they were racked by malaria and dysentery.
But they kept on fighting, making the enemy pay dearly for every yard of ground.
They bought time for those being prepared to come up from Port Moresby to relieve them.
The Australians, however, had a surprise in store for the enemy.
This was in the form of 25-pounder guns brought from Moresby to the road head at Owers’ Corner and then laboriously dragged into position at Imita Ridge, opening up on the enemy's barricades.
It was now the turn of the Japanese to suffer what the Australians had suffered in the preceding two months.
Australian shelling smashed Japanese defences and aggressive patrols inflicted severe losses.
On the morning of September 28 the Australians were closing in and it became evident then the Japanese were withdrawing.
The chase, with the Australians the pursuers, was now on.
The Japanese, despite sickness and hunger, were still formidable and tenaciously defended all the places in their withdrawal as the Australians had in their retreat some weeks earlier.
Kokoda was entered on November 2 and this was the beginning of the end of Japanese hopes in Papua.
The campaign now entered a phase known as ‘The Battle of the Beaches’.
The Japanese were bottled up in the area from where they had begun their drive against Port Moresby some months previously - Buna and Gona.
This final campaign began on November 19, 1942, and ended on January 22, 1943, when all organised resistance by the Japanese in Papua ended.
Lt Col Honner DSO MC, who commanded the gallant 39th in the campaign, later wrote of these men in the foreword to Peter Brune's book 'Those Rugged Bloody Heroes': "They have joined the immortals."
Of those that did not survive, he wrote: "Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free."
Thousands of young people do not seem to know the sacrifices of their grandfathers during World War 11 and ensuing conflicts such as the recently-ended one on Bougainville.
Remembrance Day is held on July 23 in recognition of the first engagement between PNG troops of the native Papua Infantry Battalion and Japanese troops on that day in 1942 at Awala near Kokoda.
The PIB fought in Buna, Gona, Sanananda and Kumusi in the Northern Province alongside Australian soldiers.
Today marks the 67th anniversary of the first engagement by PNG and Australian forces against the invading Japanese in WWII.
Out of the chaos and death that followed came the enduring heroism of the Kokoda Trail, and the special relationship that has bound PNG and Australia ever since.
It was on this day, in 1942, that Japanese troops landed on the northern coast of New Guinea and unexpectedly began to march over the Owen Stanley Ranges with the intent of capturing Port Moresby.
Had they succeeded, the mainland of Australia would have come under dire threat.
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the first engagement between the opposing troops, and from that engagement, as the Australian force was progressively outnumbered, began the long fighting withdrawal over the Owen Stanley Range.
The 21st Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Potts DSO MC, was rushed to New Guinea and within days, its 1, 500 men were closing in on the precarious Owen Stanley Ranges in an attempt to position themselves to stop the advance of the Japanese forces - now building up to over 10, 000 men.
The brigade also engaged the ill-trained but gallant militia 39th Battalion at Isurava in the foothills on the far side of the range.
In 1942, a seldom-used track climbed from the small village of Buna on the north coast of Papua, over the Owen Stanley Ranges and on to Port Moresby.
The track was fairly easy up the slopes through Gorari and Oivi to the village of Kokoda, which stood on a small plateau 400 metres above sea level, flanked by mountains rising to over 2000 metres.
It then climbed over steep ridges and through deep valleys to Deniki, Isurava, Kagi, Ioribaiwa, Ilolo and, at Owers’ Corner, linked with a vehicle road leading from plantations in the hills above Port Moresby down to the coastal plains.
Between Kokoda and Ilolo, the track often climbed up gradients so steep that it was heartbreaking labor for burdened men to climb even a few hundred yards.
Much of the track was through dense rainforest, which enclosed the narrow passage between walls of thick bush.
At higher levels the terrain became moss and stunted trees, which were often covered in mist.
From July to November 1942, this was the setting for a bitter campaign to prevent the fall of Port Moresby.
On January 23, 1942, the Japanese landed at Kavieng on New Ireland and at Rabaul on New Britain where they quickly overcame the Australian defenders.
On March 8, the Japanese established themselves firmly at Lae and Salamaua in Morobe.
But the famous Battle of the Coral Sea from May 5 to 8 averted a Japanese sea-borne invasion of Port Moresby.
The American success at the Battle of Midway in June not only destroyed Japan's capacity for undertaking long range offensives but also provided the Americans with the opportunity to move from the defensive to the offensive.
The Japanese, who were regularly bombing Port Moresby with 20 to 30 bombers with fighter escort, decided on the overland attack across the Owen Stanley Ranges.
On the Kododa Trail the Australian 7th Division resisted the Japanese General Horii's overland attempt to capture Port Moresby, and the advance was halted within 30 miles of the city.
A small force of Australians known as ‘Maroubra Force’ arrived at Buna on July 21, 1942, as the first Japanese force of 15, 00 men landed at Gona, eight miles to the west.
The first engagement between the opposing troops was on July 23, 1942, and from that engagement, as the Australian force was progressively outnumbered, began the long fighting withdrawal over the Owen Stanley Range.
Kokoda is a small plateau on the north-east slopes of the Owen Stanley Range and possessed a small airstrip the retention of which, for at least as long as it would take Australia to fly in supplies and reinforcements, was of great importance.
However, the remnants of Maroubra Force, exhausted by a month's constant fighting, were unable to achieve this.
Valiant though their effort was, even recapturing the plateau after being driven out, the Japanese need was of equal importance.
They needed a forward base at Kokoda for their drive over the ranges along the Kokoda Trail to Port Moresby and they struck before the Australians were able to muster sufficient strength.
The initiative now remained with the Japanese and Australian withdrawal began again -through Isurava, Alola, Templeton's Crossing, Myola, Efogi, Menari and Nauro until at Ioribaiwa Ridge, beyond which the Japanese could not be permitted to penetrate, a final stand was made.
From August 26 to September 16 in 1942, Brigadier Potts's Maroubra Force, consisting of the 2/16th Battalion, together with the 2/14th, the 2/27th and the militia 39th and scattered elements of the ill-trained 53rd Battalion - outnumbered and outgunned by an estimated five to one - fought the Japanese to an eventual standstill on the ridges overlooking Port Moresby.
Two main battles were fought during that period (Isurava August 26 to 29 and Brigade ‘Butchers' Hill from September 6 to 8).
In general, the desperately tired but determined force kept themselves between the Japanese Major General Horri's South Sea Force and Port Moresby - defending, retreating and then counter-attacking in a masterly display of strategic defence.
Conditions were almost indescribable.
It rained for most of the time, the weary men endured some of the most difficult terrain in the world and they were racked by malaria and dysentery.
But they kept on fighting, making the enemy pay dearly for every yard of ground.
They bought time for those being prepared to come up from Port Moresby to relieve them.
The Australians, however, had a surprise in store for the enemy.
This was in the form of 25-pounder guns brought from Moresby to the road head at Owers’ Corner and then laboriously dragged into position at Imita Ridge, opening up on the enemy's barricades.
It was now the turn of the Japanese to suffer what the Australians had suffered in the preceding two months.
Australian shelling smashed Japanese defences and aggressive patrols inflicted severe losses.
On the morning of September 28 the Australians were closing in and it became evident then the Japanese were withdrawing.
The chase, with the Australians the pursuers, was now on.
The Japanese, despite sickness and hunger, were still formidable and tenaciously defended all the places in their withdrawal as the Australians had in their retreat some weeks earlier.
Kokoda was entered on November 2 and this was the beginning of the end of Japanese hopes in Papua.
The campaign now entered a phase known as ‘The Battle of the Beaches’.
The Japanese were bottled up in the area from where they had begun their drive against Port Moresby some months previously - Buna and Gona.
This final campaign began on November 19, 1942, and ended on January 22, 1943, when all organised resistance by the Japanese in Papua ended.
Lt Col Honner DSO MC, who commanded the gallant 39th in the campaign, later wrote of these men in the foreword to Peter Brune's book 'Those Rugged Bloody Heroes': "They have joined the immortals."
Of those that did not survive, he wrote: "Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free."
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