Saturday
Jul282012

28 July 1942

When Lt Co Bill Owen finds the Japanese had not reached Kokoda, he orders his men to re-occupy it, leaving a small rearguard at Deniki.

Medic Jack Wilkinson notes in his diary at Kokoda: “We have 77 men all battle weary and suffering from exposure. Have had no sleep for three nights and fell rotten.” Lt Col Bill Owen sets his men in defensive positions around the Kokoda plateau.

Friday
Jul272012

27 July 1942

Young Diggers under siege at Oivi almost exhausted, some falling asleep over their weapons.

Overwhelmed by superior enemy numbers they withdraw at night during heavy rain, led by remarkable Lance Corporal Sanopa, a Papuan policeman, via back tracks to Deniki, south of Kokoda, where the main body of 39th regathered at a supply dump.

Lt Col Bill Owen orders all stores at Kokoda to be burnt to stop them falling into enemy hands before falling back to Deniki.

Band Sgt Les Simmons described Sanopa: “Over 6 feet tall, he was an impressive figure in his black skirt-tunic edged with red braid, with his rifle swinging in one hand, a grenade in the other and, in his hair, the leaves he used for camouflage. He inspired our every confidence.”

Diggers withdraw to Deniki but 6 men are left behind at Oivi during the confusion of the withdrawal. They remain in their defensive positions until almost midnight when they realise all their mates have left. 

Thursday
Jul262012

26 July 2012

Japanese surround Templeton’s Diggers at Oivi, forcing them into a tight perimeter of about 50 metres. Worried that his reinforcements may blunder into the position, Capt Sam Templeton moves back to warn them. His troops hear gunfire and he does not return. His body cannot be found.

Yesterday 39th Bn CO Bill Owen requested Moresby send him two companies by air (about 220 men). Only one platoon (about 30 men) arrives today. So ill-prepared were they that they unpacked their Bren machine guns from their transport boxes and cleaned the packing grease off them during the flight to Kokoda.

As soon as they land, they are met by CO Owen who sends them rushing off to Oivi to join Templeton’s B Company there.

The official history says: “About 5 o’clock Templeton went to examine the rear defences and to warn the second half of McLean’s platoon, under Morrison, whom he thought to be about to arrive. There was a burst of fire from the gloomy forest. Templeton did not return.”

Wednesday
Jul252012

25 July 1942

Sam Templeton’s Diggers now at Gorari, about 20km from Kokoda. Their CO Lt Col Bill Owen meets them there at 2am.

Around noon the Diggers ambush the Japanese advance troops, killing 15 of them, before withdrawing to Oivi.

Owen signals to Moresby saying he needs more troops urgently by air to Kokoda otherwise there will be no defenders between him at oivi and the rest of his battalion, now three days out of Owers' Corner and making their way up the Track.

Tuesday
Jul242012

24 July 1942

 

11 Platoon 39th Bn destroys the wire bridge over the Kumusi River at Wairopi and takes position west of the river, preparing to meet the advancing Japanese.

Capt Sam Templeton sends them a message: "Reported on radio broadcast that 1500-2000 Japs landed at Gona Mission Station. I think that is near to correct and in view of the numbers I recommend that your action be contact and rearguard only - no do-or-die stunts. Close back on Kokoda."

At 5pm 39th CO, Lt Col Bill Owen lands at Kokoda airstrip.