July 7 / 1942- 39th Battalion walks past Mc Donald’s Corner on route to Kokoda, led by Captain Sam Templeton and guided by Bert Kienzle.
July 15 / 39th Battalion arrive in Kokoda
July 21 / Japanese land in Buna
July 23 / 39th Battalion engages Japanese in fight at Awala north of Kokoda.
July 24 / Australian withdraw to Kokoda
July 29 / first battle of Kokoda is lost, Australians withdraw to Deniki. Lt Col Owen Killed.
August 8 / Australians retake Kokoda unopposed.
August 10 / Japanese retake Kokoda and withdraw to Deniki and onto Isurava.
August 16 / Lt Col Ralph Honner arrives in Isurava to replace Owen’s
August 26 / Forward elements of 21st Brigade led by 2/14 battalion arrive at Isurava
August 26 / Battle of Isurava commences.
August 29 / Bruce Kingsbury wins VC, Charlie McCallum holds off Japanese and kills 20 plus Japanese firing Bren gun and Tommy gun alternatively from hip while wounded three times, while his mates withdraw. Awarded DSM.
August 29 / Battle of Isurava ends with withdrawal back through Alola.
August 30-September 2 / Withdrawal to Eora creek. Eora creek defence.
September 2-3 / Templeton’s crossing defence
September 5 / Withdrawal to Efogi
September 6-8 / Battle of Mission Ridge/Brigade Hill
September 17 / Australians dig in at Iorabaiwa
September 17 / Australians withdraw to Imita Ridge.
September 21 / 53rd Battery of the 14th Australian Field Regiment fire first rounds on Japanese at Iorabaiwa from Ower’s Corner. From Ower’s Corner to Iorabaiwa Ridge is 10km. It takes 25 seconds for rounds to hit their mark. Over the next few days 700 high explosive rounds are fired.
September 24 / Japanese begin their withdrawal. Japanese have no word for retreats so are ordered to advance to the rear.
September 28 / Australian troops attack Iorabaiwa, but find Japanese have already withdrawn.
October 12-17 / Japanese dig in at Templeton’s crossing.
October 21-29 / Japanese dig in at Eora Creek
November 2 / Kokoda recaptured unopposed
November 5-11 / Oivi-Goiari Battle
November 17, 16th and 25th / Brigades cross the Kumusi River. The battle of Kokoda is over.
