15 June 1942

The commander of the Australian forces in Papua, Gen Basil Morris, sets the stage for the creation of the beloved ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ native carrier system when he invokes the National Security (Emergency Control) Regulations to terminate all existing contracts of service in Papua and New Guinea and allow the conscription of native labour for the armed services.

This subsequently enables former a planter from Yodda, near Kokoda, Bert Keinzle, now a captain with the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) to organise the carrier system, gathering thousands of natives to form a human lifeline to and from the frontline along the Kokoda Track, taking in supplies and ammunition and bringing back wounded Diggers. Without the Fuzzy Wuzzies, the Australians could not have prevailed in the kokoda campaign.