But it gave us time to consider action, gave us options. After this you will be transported back to the hotel for breakfast and then we will head to the Port Moresby Yacht club for traditional two up, BBQ and watch the Anzac Day march on the big screen. Nevertheless, Owen deployed his men around the Kokoda plateau and prepared to hold it against the invaders. Ready to test your knowledge of some English expressions. Push (ST) back – resist ST; fight against ST. 7 hours trekkingToday we trek over the Maguli Range, down to and across Ofi creek and then up the Ioribaiwa ridge, scene of more vicious fighting. The 3rd Battalion led the way back up the Kokoda Track. Some positions rebuffed as many as ten human-wave assaults in a day. Overnight camping at Templeton’s 1. 6 hours trekkingAfter numerous river crossings we trek the long steep climb up Imita Ridge and then down the golden stairs to the Goldie River where we cool off with a swim. Moreover, the Australian build-up, while still relatively modest, proved impossible to sustain via the only supply line stretching over the mountains, which depended on native carriers to manhandle rations and ammunition forward, and to evacuate the sick and wounded to the rear. After this we climb a steep hill to our final destination, Owers Corner, where we walk shoulder to shoulder together under the famous Kokoda arch. They would have come through and it would have been a domino effect. The Japanese purpose was to but time for the bulk of their men to escape back to the north coast. Charlie was recommended for the Victoria Cross – a recommendation endorsed by brigade and division commanders – but it was inexplicably downgraded to the second-highest award for gallantry, the Distinguished Service Medal. Then the post would be outflanked and overrun with Brens, Tommy guns, and grenades, but each night the attacking parties had to withdraw to defensive positions and in the darkness the Japanese would re-establish the posts or put out others. (The 2/14th and 2/16th). The Japanese had now inherited all the difficulties of an extended supply line. Over four arduous months, the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels helped secure an Australian victory by forming a human supply chain along the Kokoda Track, moving food, ammunition and wounded soldiers to and from the front line. Their only food was dehydrated emergency ration, eaten dry and cold. Here, as a result of their mauling down the Track and their rapidly deteriorating supply situation, they were forced to reconsider their position. The Japanese supply lines were in chaos, and the surviving Japanese troops were starving and exhausted. It was a phase in the fighting which reached its triumphant culmination on 2 November, with the re-occupation of Kokoda. Enjoy the spectacular views over the Kokoda valley where you spend your first night on the track. Ninety-nine Australians were killed in the battle of Eora Creek and another 192 were wounded. On the evening of 25 September 1942, Horii was ordered to withdraw his battered army to the Japanese beachheads at Gona-Buna. Even after the reinforcements arrived, the 39th remained with them and continued to fight against the growing number of Japanese throwing themselves at the Isurava perimeter. We have lunch in view of the Kunai grass area which was the southernmost point of the Japanese advance on the Kokoda track. On the afternoon of 8 September the 2/14th tried to break out through the Japanese positions to get back down the track. Kagi to Menari - approx. From Menari the Australians withdrew back to Ioribaiwa where the battalions of the fresh 25th Brigade – 2/25th, 2/31st and 2/33rd – along with the 3rd Battalion took over the defence. The 2/25th Battalion, advancing on the Templeton’s Crossing area along a subsidiary track, had also encountered Japanese positions and had likewise been unable to force its way through. At Templeton’s Crossing (12-17 October), Eora Creek (21-29 October) and Oivi-Goiari (5-11 November), Japanese rearguards mounted stubborn delaying defences.