My name is Jade Kingsbury and I’m related to Bruce Steel Kingsbury, im 24 years old now which is the same age he was when his bravery earned him the Victoria Cross and cost him his life… This had me in tears… Thank you so much for posting this. Lest we forget…
“You’re okay?”..........”more or less”. That about sums up that generation. I remember blokes like this. Like my grand pop. Quietly spoken. No fan fare. No exaggeration. The greatest men we’ve seen. Once in a lifetime men.
@@trousersnake1841 hahaha that's a bit harsh but dam well true for many. I admit, I'm a pussy compared to my uncles. Uncle Dale was posted in Darwin during the bombing and Uncle Glen served in Milne Bay. Uncle Glen was one of the kindest softly spoken men I ever met. He never mention the war but we know he saw stuff we can't imagine.
There were Australians who refused to fight and also deserted and who cried and had to be led back by the hand. They were human just like every soldier was.
These men were sooooo brave! Their courage is unequaled. As an American, I have always loved the Australian and NZ people. IDK, maybe it was because all the people from there that I met were so damned friendly. Or maybe because I was fascinated with the landscapes and scenery. It makes my heart swell with pride when I think of you people. I almost come to tears. Maybe I'm just a silly old man, but I will never forget what your people have done for the world. You have spunk! If I had enough money, I would be on the first jet to come and visit you. See the smiles on those faces as the men stood at parade rest? They knew they might die yet they were smiling about it. They didn't give a damn if they did die. At least they knew they were going out fighting. What greater sacrifice can any of us make?
No one should forget the fuzzy wuzzy people. Honourable people whose help was of critical importance. Beautiful friends of Australia for all time for what they did.
@@anthonyeaton5153 It's what the soldiers called them and they did so in the most affectionate manner because they knew better than anyone else how vital their help was.
@@rudimunk7030 This muppet has gone to a number of videos on the Australian Military and made disparaging comments on all of them. He seems to be looking for an argument. Maybe an Australian stole his girlfriend because he clearly has an issue with us that causes him to act in an aggressive and obsessive manner. He has some mental and/or emotional issues that he needs to deal with that are not in any way related to the actions of the Australian military, past or present.
Hearing that gentleman speaking about the photograph of the Japanese man's wife and 3 little kids and you can see how much that's torn him up.. that shows true strength that he go through all of that hell and Still have a heart enough to have it broken for orphaning those children and windowing his wife.. he stayed Human and that takes remarkable strength...❤
Mr. Graystone, thank you for making this available here on UA-cam and as an American Marine and Soldier I want to apologize for Mc Arthur as he was not nearly the the soldier he was made out to be. God Bless the foot soldier who must sever under the clueless who use them to build their own glory..
No worries Thomas. No need to apologise mate. That's the way things are. But, more fitting, in the words of your famous ADML 'Bull' Halsey, “There are no extraordinary men, just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.” Cheers mate, Semper Fi!
The firstr i read of the Kokada soildiers was "those Ragged Bloody heroes" and have since read as many books i could find of those magnificent men and I wasz fortunate to live next door to one of those heroes. I cannot even start to explain the love and gratitude of those men.I can only say "THANKYOU" you wonderull coragious young men.I will never forget what you achieved to keep Australia safe
It is a tragedy that only 76k have viewed this video. It should be in the millions. Actually 25 million, the population of Australia. All Aussie’s should watch a salute these incredible young men. No words are a good enough praise.
Why do you use the word tragedy which has connotations of death and destruction. This is the usual Australian hyperbole on stilts. The word you should have used is disappointing.
I heard about this for the 1st time in Meander village hall in Tasmania about 5 yrs ago and was so humbled by the courage of these men and made it my business to find out more - got a fantastic book in sydney which I brought home to UK - lost track of it as everyone who read it passed it on as so impressed - these men were so courageous and I genuinely salute them xxx
Im the Son of a US infantry man...32d 126th Combat Infantry Regiment... fought alongside the Aussies in Papua and Bloody Buna Sanananda was wounded Dec,5 1942 on the Sanananda track. Dad said of the 1100 Officers and enlisted men of that Regiment only 7 would come out unscathed...We hardly ever hear of these Soldiers! PS my Father have highly praised the FUZZY WUZZY ANGELS!
I’m the grandson of an Australian bomb maker/infantry man I don’t know which battalion or regiment he was in but I know he did survive the war although he did lose most of his hearing in his right ear after a bomb he was making went off to quick due to a faulty a fuse
@@lokiwiseyt8608 WHOA! Thanks for sharing that 😊👍...May I suggest you visit Australia at War .com...I have gathered much more on that site...than mostly all here in the States....My Aunt was a welder in the shipyards in Oakland/ San Francisco...So much effort went into that War...it was obviously winner take All...if the Evil axis would have won... They started all that shit .. and our Armies defeated them and then gave it all back! Thanks again for sharing your story...I enjoyed reading that!
Fewer than 500 men fighting and holding 13, 000 Japanese soldiers, for months on end....(!!).... (12:14)...That is absolutely incredible..!!.....The Japanese forces had simply marauded their way in an unstoppable sweep across all terrain and forces in their path, prior to this. What an absolutely incredible group of warriors these soldiers who held that line must have been..(!!) Absolutely incredible!!! Max respect for the Anzacs, who time and again shocked the world with the most astounding feats against the most incredible odds, and in the most difficult of circumstances. What an incredible warrior tradition the men of Australia and New Zealand ( Aeoteroa) have created; these men attained all but impossible victories, time and again, pretty much wherever they were sent, during both world wars. They would turn "suicide missions" into resounding victories.... Truly inspirational; strength beyond strength. Max respect, Australia, New Zealand, and the ANZACS. Legendary.
Steady on with sycophantic praising of all things ANZAC. Some AUSSIEs at Gallipoli refused to get out the trenches when ordered. They were no braver than the British who were there if you did not know. Also Australians were renown for running away at Singapore and casting away their arms then going on a rampage. Inglorious were the Aussies.
@@anthonyeaton5153 Read the newspaper English newspaper report that stated English officers protecting their arse. Totally overblown. There was troops from all the different countries that took off etc. It pays to read the whole story. "The Japanese attacked the weakest part of the island defences and established a beachhead on 8 February. Percival had expected a crossing in the north and failed to reinforce the defenders in time. The main weight of the Japanese force, about 13,000 men, from 16 assault battalions, with five in reserve, attacked the 22nd Australian Brigade.The assault was received by the 2/18th Battalion and the 2/20th Battalion. Each Japanese division had 150 barges and collapsible boats, sufficient for lifts of 4,000. During the first night 13,000 Japanese troops landed and were followed by another 10,000 after first light. The Australians numbered just 3,000 men and lacked any significant reserve. Situated on the north-west coast of the island, the 22nd Brigade was allocated a frontage of 8 miles (13 km) - considerably larger than normal - along a stretch of coast line that was hard to defend due to the tidal flats and islets that punctuated the terrain. When the Japanese assaulted the island on 8 February 1942, the main assault fell on the 22nd Brigade's area, with the 2/20th bearing the brunt of the initial attack. Stretched across a brigade-sized frontage of 7,000 yards (6,400 m), which ran north along the coast from the Serimbun River to the Kranji River, and which included the Namazie Estate, an airfield and the main supply route that ran along the sealed Lim Chu Kang road, the 2/20th Battalion's lines, held by a total of about 750 men, were eventually infiltrated by the assaulting Japanese. After initially inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese the battalion, threatened with encirclement, was forced to withdraw to a new position along Lim Chu Road. Although still intact, it was apparent that this position would shortly be overwhelmed and the battalion was again ordered to move south, during which it became scattered. The initial Japanese assault cost the battalion heavily. Casualties on the first night amounted to 334 killed and 214 wounded." That is just from one battalion of 750 men. The battalion was disbanded later in 1945; having lost 561 men dead and 122 wounded.
These men trekked through some of the most hellish terrain known to man to fight against the most brutal, unforgiving, and arguably most fanatic army in the world at the time. With only one thing in mind they were the only thing that could save Australia from death itself. My absolute respect to these brave men.
Excellent documentary. Really coming from the perspective of the regular soldier. This also makes for an eye into what it's like to be a soldier particularly in jungle fighting, because these guys went through it all. Not a lot of info on logistics, the sequence of events, strategies, the details of engagements, the politics behind the scene, and the military commanders but there are a couple of good documentaries for that stuff. This film is about the men, and while it makes for a modest accounting of the events, you probably won't find another quite like it.
If you want detail, read Peter Brune's books: "Those Ragged Bloody Heroes" ; "The Spell Broken" ; and "Gona's Gone." Well researched and written, and very sobering.
Years ago I had a close friend who was there, and the details of his story still bring me to tears. I wish you could-a met my friend Warren. He and his men were separated and forced to navigate south through the inhospitable terrain; only Warren and one other of about twenty or so made it out; most were killed by the Japanese, others by going over some dangerous waterfalls, two by crocs and several from the elements. There's a lot more to this story, going well beyond the horrors of war, the enemy was also within and had to be dealt with accordingly. Warren's words, not mine. I miss you old buddy.
Well worth the effort to decipher the story for a Texas guy. Knew about the CYA Staff Officers, not much of the soldier's stories. Close Captions actually drag you off-topic, but it's such a great story . . . Dad later served in PNG. Rescued by natives 2 weeks after C47 forcedown by fire.
I have heard bits & pieces of this battle, but nothing as comprehensive as this. What brave and dedicated soldiers on both sides, the infernal jungle, & each other's bullets attempted to destroy. But the human spirit triumphed! I am a veteran of Iraq, and so know something of their combat experiences, but I know nothing of the deprevations they suffered. I respectfully honor them as brothers-in-arms!
My great uncle Lt. George Edward Pearce won the Military cross (I think it's called) in Papua. 2/14th, He guided he's squad/platoon or some amount of people back through enemy lines. He was killed in Papua sometime after
Crypt...The Paupuan Campaign was my Father's first Combat .... Went on to Bloody Buna Sanananda Corrigador Beachheads in the Bismarck Archepelagos and Admiralty's Phillipines all the way to Luzon...Leyte... Subic Bay Battaan Batangas Olangampos....New Guinea was Hell according to Pop...
I served in a regular army.infantry unit for most of the 1970,s no one was regarded as special because of his ethnic background we had soldiers with Dutch German Italian Lebanese Vietnamese yourselves greek Russian backgrounds. They were all children of migrants most were good soldiers the Australian army turns young men from all backgrounds into good citizens.
The horror of war can be seen by the veterans who had to relive there experience. A terrible way to have that memory for life. I knew a Vietnam veteran who told me his experiences when the alcohol 🍺 and it was something hidden for a reason. But it toughening experience and a sad time to see people die for no good reason but to be used, abused and misused by the elites.
@@anthonyeaton5153 as I was saying, these men are he toughest men this country has ever seen. Nothing to do with British or where they were born. They were putting their life on the line to defend Australia in outrageous conditions outnumbered 5 to 1
@@aaronmitchell3252If you read the book by Peter Williams the Kakoda Trail who researched the Japanese archive and found that it was the Japs who were outnumbered and they l defeated the Aussies several times in months June to September and he is Australian. Try to dig a bit deeper in your military history.
I have a knife taken from a Japanese soldier on the Kokoda Track by a man who is and always will be a hero of mine. I have passed it onto my son and it takes pride of place in his bedroom. He knows the story of how it came to be in an Australians hands and I trust he’ll pass it onto his child one day with the story of how it came to be ours.
Great Men of Valor who gave it all!Brothers at arms who saved the great country of Australia!The greatest generation!!😀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Screw the politicians!
As a Yank, I was appalled by reading of our Gen. MacArthur' s disparaging comments on the Australian man's fighting ability. The majority of Americans knew better. Note that among knowledgeable Americans, MacArthur was despised for what he was, and the Australians and New Zealand troops admired. My dad was in the New Guinea theatre, and spoke glowingly of the Australian aviators, Army and civilians, who were wonderful to he and his USN Seabee shipmates.
Not to detract from the courage and humanity of the naive young men who fought there, 'two of my Choco' uncles among them, one killed the other who suffered from an incurable tropical disease all of his remaining life, but time to get rid of the fallacy that Kokoda or any of the battles in the SEA theatre from the Malaya Peninsula fiasco to the fall and surrender of Singapore, criminal abandonment of Lark Force in Rabaul or the many battles in PNG or the Western Desert were about "saving Australia".
I am learning so much about the Papua New Guinea campaign. It is a silent campaign that isn't documented or known in Europe. I love this and a lot of other videos. Plus I will start looking for Memoirs on Kindle. I hope people can guide me to some good books of recounts of this campaign from the soldier on the ground. Thanks.
Mate. If you have documentaries on Aussie troops liberating Borneo(Sarawak,Brunei and Sabah,Kalimantan) please upload them. Seems like the stories of those brave Aussie lads are lost.
An the yanks claim to have been the first to beat the Japanese where it was the aussie lads who bore the brunt in the beginning. They also had to show the yanks how to fight in the jungle. Even career soldiers didnt think much of these lads but they deserve all the praise and can hold their heads up high .
I'd often see my father with a faraway look when I was young & it wasn't until later after watching shows like this that I realized where he was, never trying into any detail when I'd ask he'd just say God bloody awful ,an understatement for sure, this was a great program should be replayed ,Lest We Forget, F.T,Payne 2/16th Battn AIF.
Another great display of Aussie's bravery..look up the charge at Beersheba! It was in WW1...but miraculously took Beersheba from the Turks! Great men fought in both wars for Australia! 👍 💝 🐎
Why do the Aussies keep telling everyone how brave they were. Is it an inferiority complex. You are the only country that does and you did less fighting than many nations in WW2
Let's not forget the men of Timor, 2 40th 2 2 independent company and their credos, some of these men came back from Timor, to join the 2 12 th then back to Ramu valley and Shaggy ridge New Guinea then on to Borneo
Before my grandfather had fought his way through the Greek, Cypriot, and Vichy French campaigns as an AIF volunteer , he was finally, thanks to Prime Minister John Curtins remarkably patriotic insistence, that Australian troops in the Middle East and the Balkans had done all that they could,..and that now it was time to rush to the defence of home itself. Anyone who supposed that having occupied PNG the IJA and IJN would’ve been complacent of simply stupid enough to leave Australia alone to remain as a US continent, so to speak, to prepare for South East Asias liberation is an absolute nutter.
Didn't Australian's also send white feathers to the ANZACs who were fighting in Africa/Europe? I think I remember that when Tobruk was besieged, the Australians received white feathers for not returning home to protect AU, whilst they also received enemy propaganda meant to dishearten them so that they would surrender. It is not hard to guess which one hurt the soldier's the most.
What would my uncle's words be given the real understanding when I'm 15 or 16 year's old during a son's graduation or a daughters marriage celebration!? It was when studying WW2 and my dad and I in conversation was about to ask if he knew anything about "The War"? And as happened often when bringing a subject like war in a family setting was greeted with an inferrance "so what are you learning in school" and laboured at telling of the war and told him that I'm currently studying the Battle of the Bulge and with no hesitation he outed cooly"if your learning of the Battle of the Bulge go back and say your family is written about in those book's! When if asked of first hand account's a war veteran may not be inclined and may shy from discussion satisfied with any experience buried in the back of his mind and not ever again seen in the light of day.
It is on public record that the fuzzy wuzzy angles simply did not come down from there villages and volunteer to carry our injured men out over the Owen Stanley Ranges. The vast majority were press ganged into either carrying supplies or our boys out. Make no mistake this occurred at the end of a bayonet.
that doesn't account for the excellent footage of the australians returning in the '70s and being cheered and welcomed by the fuzzy wuzzy angels !! But hey, nothing like forcing more self guilt on a proud nation, huh !!
considering my dad said they only carried you on their backs if you had a machine gun, in order to shoot the Jps hiding up in the trees, it doesn't sound much like being forced
Bear in mind that I am not sure of the situation regarding the British forces at the time, and to what lengths they may or may not have actually gone to, in regard to assisting in the defence of Australia at and around this particular period of time. It certainly seems that they had shipped a great deal of Australian soldiers across the globe to assist in the defence of England, Africa, and France, etc, but, notwithstanding factors of which I may be unaware of (which, once again, I must add that I am not absolutely certain of the facts thereof, but there just doesnt seem to have been a great deal of aid sent to assist the Australians when the Japanese forces were on their doorstep..... Seems those lads had to hold the line all on their own, and yet vc still became the first nation to inflict defeat on the Japanese forces since the outset of their involvement in WW2, effectively halting their overwhelming sweep across the nations of the South Pacific.
Sean O'Brieon....the did get help from the US half of the 32nd Division was sent there...the 126th Combat Infantry Regiment companies A thru M my Father was in L company....He was wounded Dec 5, 1942 at Bloody Buna Sanananda...Dad said of the 1100 Officers and enlisted men of the 126th only 7 would be left unscathed.. .I buried my Father in 1997 with Shrapnel still in him from that battle...the men I speak of were trained for open Country Warfare but sent to help by Mc Arthur...Cheers mate!
My father SGT George H. Chase fought in New Guinea with the 32nd. He was a combat Engineer in the 114th Engineers, flamethrower till the infantry were trained in place. He was also a Sapper... volunteered to be attached to an Australian unit for 6 months. I know his stories. I have 2 stories on video. Total Badass like the ANZACS. 👍🔥 The 32nd were American National Guardsmen (militia)from Michigan and Wisconsin, called the Red Arrow Division for being the 1st American unit to pierce and break through the Hindenburg line WW1. They were the Iron Brigade, cavalry who fought confederate infantry to secure a Highground at Gettysburg.
@@ericunderwood1482 They fought alone on the Kokoda Track. USAAF and RAAF air cover and supply drops. US and fresh Australian troops were flown to the northern coast once the Aussies had captured/and or had made airstrips. You should look up Buna and see why Macarthur ordered Eichelberger to go there.
Damian Parer died filming the US marines in Peleliu. He was in front of the troops filming them advancing when he was killed by machine gun fire. The US troops with him looted his body, took his camera and exposed his film.
These guys are heroes. If it were not for them we Aussies would be under Japanese rule today. It saddens me a little to think that we are selling iconic Australian industry to the very people these men fought and died to keep out.
Just like Americans selling out to Communist Chinese Whom they fought in Korea. Stupid. The Japanese may not be enemies of Australia anymore, but the Communist Chinese are certainly still enemies of the United States, which makes their foolishness much worse.
My grandfather Served in Kokoda but I don’t know if he is in this video as I never met him nor have I seen a photograph of him as my dad really did not like him and never kept one of him but I will have to check in with some of my other relatives to see if they have a photo of him
I wonder if your grandfather came back from war with post traumatic stress? Perhaps the reason your father ‘didn’t like him’. I’ve read very sad stories of POWs of Japanese returning to life after the war.
Re. Anzac Day, this was one of the most moving documentaries about Australians at war that I have ever seen. It's a 1995 Australian "4-Corners" program by the magnificent journalist Chris Masters, about the Victorian 39th battalion on the Kokoda Track. Masters interviews veterans as they prepare to get together for a ride in an army truck on Anzac Day. All the fellows in it would be long dead by now, sadly. It was called "The Men Who Saved Australia", and is about those who fought so bravely because *they sincerely believed* they were the only thing between the Australian mainland and a Japanese invasion. Of course latter day military history revisionists have contradicted this belief, in my opinion because to do so served a conservative political agenda put about by former conservative Australian Prime Minister John Howard and others of his "King and Empire" persuasion. 1915's Gallipoli was elevated to "premier" status among Australian military expeditions, while the 1941-45 SW Pacific battles, beginning with the actions at Kokoda and Milne Bay were played down as sideshows. Why? In my opinion simply because the defence of New Guinea was a Labor policy. The conservatives promote the myth that "Labor is soft on Defence", when it has always been *Labor* governments that step up to actually defend the homeland, while the conservatives, counterfeit warriors, illegitimately claim the glory. Repatriating the 7th Division, the "Rats Of Tobruk", from Africa to the Pacific in 1942 was also a Labor initiative, as was the US alliance. These went down like lead balloons with Churchill and the gaggle of senior Australian political brown-nosers in his London War Cabinet: Menzies, Casey, Page etc. (Page even advising Churchill to divert the 7th to Burma!). Much muck and embarrassment could be swept under the carpet by Howard's demoting Kokoda and promoting Gallipoli... but I digress... This program is about the men, not the politics.
Despite their two faced, incompetent commanders, those men did what was thought to be impossible. They were the first to defeat the Japanese army in the field. Combined with the battles of Milne Bay and Lau, the fight on the Kokoda Track put an end to the expansion of the Japanese conquest. But, the American news reels showed it as an American victory. MacArthur got all the credit. Secondly, the Japanese were the authors of their own defeat. Had they treated the local population with dignity and respect, they might have had thousands of willing porters for their supplies. But, as usual, they behaved in a barbaric fashion towards these people and totally alienated them. Revenge was had with machetes and spears as the Japanese collapsed in starvation and disease. The locals had no mercy for them, nor was any deserved.
IT is sad to see the green recruits are sent to fight in such harsh terrain against an tenancious, indoctrinated enemy itself must be demoralising at first. greatest respect to these men.
Criticizing men with Enfield's in thick jungle against cannon and bayonet charges for a long duration showed once again MacArthur's lack of understanding which he did often in the Pacific even disregarding intelligence reports getting many men killed needlessly.
@@anthonyeaton5153 There was a problem of the navy man in charge of the campaign disregarding intelligence and not using tactics. Then there's generals being generals. Any excuse works. Better to say he didn't use them because "they won't fight" which is a joke than to say the navy command is stupid always putting landing troops in the open seas against the strongest points. So no way in the world is he going to commit his allies assets to die needlessly ie. they won't fight. Works better than insulting a naval commander that was butt buddies with the president or insulting aussies fighting like fools. When the army plans they take weak spots landing artillery then barrage with artillery. You don't stick your landing force in the open where the most enemy fire can be concentrated and the enemy can reinforce the easiest. Plain stupid.
Why is always someone else's fault when Aussies fail. Gallipoli was someone else's fault, Fromelles was and half a dozen other places. Yet when things go well it's always Aussie guts and no how ignoring there were others there making it a success like 1918 and Alamein. You part of a whole and you your flops as well as victories.
The ‘I was there’ stories are the least reliable. There is the temptation to exaggerate, forget, make it up or down right lie . I have known a few who did.
Nothing is mentioned about the PIB & their contribution in Kokoda Buna Sanananda Wau etc. All mentioned is the fuzzy wuzzy angels ( the war carriers) not of the PIB or Angau.
militia are part timers - they did well. back then militia were kept home for the last line. Now we send them everywhere because we have so few full timers. We no longer have a last line.
Rubbish! So now it’s Kokoda equates to the Battle of Britain, Gallipoli to DDay what other European battle are you going to copy. It shows the deep regret of Australia at not being involved in the land battle against Germany.
@@anthonyeaton5153 With alll due repsect, Sir, I beg to differ in opinion. viz. Germany was stopped at the Battle of Britain " 8,000 japanese soldiers and 3,500 naval troops. ...At their point of farthest advance, the Japanese were less than 35 miles (56 km) from Port Moresby. On September 24 the main body of Japanese withdrew. After more tenacious fighting along the Kokoda Track, the Australians and their New Guinean allies were able to defeat the Japanese and retake Kokoda village ..." "The Kokoda Track marks the course of one of the most important battles for Australians in the Second World War. Between 21 July and 16 November 1942, the Australian Army halted the furthermost southward advance by Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea and then pushed the enemy back across the mountains.Oct 3," source: Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea - DCCEEW DCCEEW www.dcceew.gov.au › heritage › places › kokoda...
Saying they saved Australia is hype on stilts. The nearest Japan got to invading Australia was talking about it. They simply did not have the wherewithal. Logistics was the weakest element of their armed forces throughout the entire war.
My name is Jade Kingsbury and I’m related to Bruce Steel Kingsbury, im 24 years old now which is the same age he was when his bravery earned him the Victoria Cross and cost him his life…
This had me in tears…
Thank you so much for posting this.
Lest we forget…
You must be very proud mate, my grandfather was with the 2/25th up there.
“You’re okay?”..........”more or less”. That about sums up that generation. I remember blokes like this. Like my grand pop. Quietly spoken. No fan fare. No exaggeration. The greatest men we’ve seen. Once in a lifetime men.
Right about that, look at the testosterone depleted manlets we are producing now..
@@trousersnake1841 hahaha that's a bit harsh but dam well true for many. I admit, I'm a pussy compared to my uncles. Uncle Dale was posted in Darwin during the bombing and Uncle Glen served in Milne Bay. Uncle Glen was one of the kindest softly spoken men I ever met. He never mention the war but we know he saw stuff we can't imagine.
There were Australians who refused to fight and also deserted and who cried and had to be led back by the hand. They were human just like every soldier was.
@@anthonyeaton5153 not many by comparison. My uncles number came up and he went.
@@australianmade2659Went where?
These men were sooooo brave! Their courage is unequaled. As an American, I have always loved the Australian and NZ people. IDK, maybe it was because all the people from there that I met were so damned friendly. Or maybe because I was fascinated with the landscapes and scenery. It makes my heart swell with pride when I think of you people. I almost come to tears. Maybe I'm just a silly old man, but I will never forget what your people have done for the world. You have spunk! If I had enough money, I would be on the first jet to come and visit you. See the smiles on those faces as the men stood at parade rest? They knew they might die yet they were smiling about it. They didn't give a damn if they did die. At least they knew they were going out fighting. What greater sacrifice can any of us make?
How can you say unequalled? Millions of men fought in the war on both sides, are you saying the Aussies were §§the bravest. Ridiculous hyperbole.
Very very well said sir!
No one should forget the fuzzy wuzzy people. Honourable people whose help was of critical importance. Beautiful friends of Australia for all time for what they did.
Invade West Papua and Free West Papua from Indonesian murderers.
Why don't you call them by their proper name instead of of insulting them.
@@anthonyeaton5153 It's what the soldiers called them and they did so in the most affectionate manner because they knew better than anyone else how vital their help was.
@@rudimunk7030 Yes they were the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angles and are so proud to be know as such.
@@rudimunk7030 This muppet has gone to a number of videos on the Australian Military and made disparaging comments on all of them. He seems to be looking for an argument. Maybe an Australian stole his girlfriend because he clearly has an issue with us that causes him to act in an aggressive and obsessive manner. He has some mental and/or emotional issues that he needs to deal with that are not in any way related to the actions of the Australian military, past or present.
Hearing that gentleman speaking about the photograph of the Japanese man's wife and 3 little kids and you can see how much that's torn him up.. that shows true strength that he go through all of that hell and Still have a heart enough to have it broken for orphaning those children and windowing his wife.. he stayed Human and that takes remarkable strength...❤
Mr. Graystone, thank you for making this available here on UA-cam and as an American Marine and Soldier I want to apologize for Mc Arthur as he was not nearly the the soldier he was made out to be. God Bless the foot soldier who must sever under the clueless who use them to build their own glory..
No worries Thomas. No need to apologise mate. That's the way things are. But, more fitting, in the words of your famous ADML 'Bull' Halsey, “There are no extraordinary men, just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.” Cheers mate, Semper Fi!
They use the word hero for sports people, those sports people fade into insignificance to these great men.
And the best athletes would agree with that too
The firstr i read of the Kokada soildiers was "those Ragged Bloody heroes" and have since read as many books i could find of those magnificent men and I wasz fortunate to live next door to one of those heroes. I cannot even start to explain the love and gratitude of those men.I can only say "THANKYOU" you wonderull coragious young men.I will never forget what you achieved to keep Australia safe
It is a tragedy that only 76k have viewed this video. It should be in the millions. Actually 25 million, the population of Australia. All Aussie’s should watch a salute these incredible young men. No words are a good enough praise.
Why do you use the word tragedy which has connotations of death and destruction. This is the usual Australian hyperbole on stilts. The word you should have used is disappointing.
@@anthonyeaton5153 yep that would have been a better word. No argument from me mate.
Never forget these heroes.
I heard about this for the 1st time in Meander village hall in Tasmania about 5 yrs ago and was so humbled by the courage of these men and made it my business to find out more - got a fantastic book in sydney which I brought home to UK - lost track of it as everyone who read it passed it on as so impressed - these men were so courageous and I genuinely salute them xxx
KOKODA by Peter Fitzsimons
Brilliant film, thanks to all involved including the Brave Diggers who fought for our country at Kokoda.
Im the Son of a US infantry man...32d 126th Combat Infantry Regiment... fought alongside the Aussies in Papua and Bloody Buna Sanananda was wounded Dec,5 1942 on the Sanananda track. Dad said of the 1100 Officers and enlisted men of that Regiment only 7 would come out unscathed...We hardly ever hear of these Soldiers!
PS my Father have highly praised the FUZZY WUZZY ANGELS!
I’m the grandson of an Australian bomb maker/infantry man I don’t know which battalion or regiment he was in but I know he did survive the war although he did lose most of his hearing in his right ear after a bomb he was making went off to quick due to a faulty a fuse
@@lokiwiseyt8608 WHOA! Thanks for sharing that 😊👍...May I suggest you visit Australia at War .com...I have gathered much more on that site...than mostly all here in the States....My Aunt was a welder in the shipyards in Oakland/ San Francisco...So much effort went into that War...it was obviously winner take All...if the Evil axis would have won... They started all that shit .. and our Armies defeated them and then gave it all back! Thanks again for sharing your story...I enjoyed reading that!
Fewer than 500 men fighting and holding 13, 000 Japanese soldiers, for months on end....(!!)....
(12:14)...That is absolutely incredible..!!.....The Japanese forces had simply marauded their way in an unstoppable sweep across all terrain and forces in their path, prior to this.
What an absolutely incredible group of warriors these soldiers who held that line must have been..(!!)
Absolutely incredible!!!
Max respect for the Anzacs, who time and again shocked the world with the most astounding feats against the most incredible odds, and in the most difficult of circumstances.
What an incredible warrior tradition the men of Australia and New Zealand ( Aeoteroa) have created; these men attained all but impossible victories, time and again, pretty much wherever they were sent, during both world wars.
They would turn "suicide missions" into resounding victories....
Truly inspirational; strength beyond strength.
Max respect, Australia, New Zealand, and the ANZACS.
Legendary.
Steady on with sycophantic praising of all things ANZAC. Some AUSSIEs at Gallipoli refused to get out the trenches when ordered. They were no braver than the British who were there if you did not know. Also Australians were renown for running away at Singapore and casting away their arms then going on a rampage. Inglorious were the Aussies.
@@anthonyeaton5153 What rubbish! Source please??
I do not believe the odds they are bullshit.
@@gmagee5184Read, Singapore the Pregnable Fortress it is all in there laid bare. Read proper military history instead of Aussie military history.
@@anthonyeaton5153
Read the newspaper English newspaper report that stated English officers protecting their arse.
Totally overblown. There was troops from all the different countries that took off etc.
It pays to read the whole story.
"The Japanese attacked the weakest part of the island defences and established a beachhead on 8 February. Percival had expected a crossing in the north and failed to reinforce the defenders in time.
The main weight of the Japanese force, about 13,000 men, from 16 assault battalions, with five in reserve, attacked the 22nd Australian Brigade.The assault was received by the 2/18th Battalion and the 2/20th Battalion. Each Japanese division had 150 barges and collapsible boats, sufficient for lifts of 4,000. During the first night 13,000 Japanese troops landed and were followed by another 10,000 after first light. The Australians numbered just 3,000 men and lacked any significant reserve.
Situated on the north-west coast of the island, the 22nd Brigade was allocated a frontage of 8 miles (13 km) - considerably larger than normal - along a stretch of coast line that was hard to defend due to the tidal flats and islets that punctuated the terrain. When the Japanese assaulted the island on 8 February 1942, the main assault fell on the 22nd Brigade's area, with the 2/20th bearing the brunt of the initial attack. Stretched across a brigade-sized frontage of 7,000 yards (6,400 m), which ran north along the coast from the Serimbun River to the Kranji River, and which included the Namazie Estate, an airfield and the main supply route that ran along the sealed Lim Chu Kang road, the 2/20th Battalion's lines, held by a total of about 750 men, were eventually infiltrated by the assaulting Japanese. After initially inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese the battalion, threatened with encirclement, was forced to withdraw to a new position along Lim Chu Road. Although still intact, it was apparent that this position would shortly be overwhelmed and the battalion was again ordered to move south, during which it became scattered. The initial Japanese assault cost the battalion heavily. Casualties on the first night amounted to 334 killed and 214 wounded."
That is just from one battalion of 750 men.
The battalion was disbanded later in 1945; having lost 561 men dead and 122 wounded.
These men trekked through some of the most hellish terrain known to man to fight against the most brutal, unforgiving, and arguably most fanatic army in the world at the time. With only one thing in mind they were the only thing that could save Australia from death itself. My absolute respect to these brave men.
It was no different for the Americans and no different for the British in Burma.
Looked for this for quite awhile, grandfather is/was one of these men interviewed in this documentary
God Bless these men! Ragged bloody heroes of the free world!
I don't want to subscribe but how can I simply like these tributes to our wonderful predecessors
That old fella at the end, so True and Genuine with integrity.
Only comes from that generation.
great documentary true bravery and heroism ,,,God bless these heroes
Excellent documentary. Really coming from the perspective of the regular soldier. This also makes for an eye into what it's like to be a soldier particularly in jungle fighting, because these guys went through it all. Not a lot of info on logistics, the sequence of events, strategies, the details of engagements, the politics behind the scene, and the military commanders but there are a couple of good documentaries for that stuff. This film is about the men, and while it makes for a modest accounting of the events, you probably won't find another quite like it.
If you want detail, read Peter Brune's books: "Those Ragged Bloody Heroes" ; "The Spell Broken" ; and "Gona's Gone." Well researched and written, and very sobering.
I don't have to read any books my father was there in the 2nd 16th.
Years ago I had a close friend who was there, and the details of his story still bring me to tears. I wish you could-a met my friend Warren. He and his men were separated and forced to navigate south through the inhospitable terrain; only Warren and one other of about twenty or so made it out; most were killed by the Japanese, others by going over some dangerous waterfalls, two by crocs and several from the elements. There's a lot more to this story, going well beyond the horrors of war, the enemy was also within and had to be dealt with accordingly. Warren's words, not mine. I miss you old buddy.
We will remember them..!
Excellent documentary about heroic men. Thanks for posting.
Well worth the effort to decipher the story for a Texas guy. Knew about the CYA Staff Officers, not much of the soldier's stories. Close Captions actually drag you off-topic, but it's such a great story . . . Dad later served in PNG. Rescued by natives 2 weeks after C47 forcedown by fire.
I have heard bits & pieces of this battle, but nothing as comprehensive as this. What brave and dedicated soldiers on both sides, the infernal jungle, & each other's bullets attempted to destroy. But the human spirit triumphed! I am a veteran of Iraq, and so know something of their combat experiences, but I know nothing of the deprevations they suffered. I respectfully honor them as brothers-in-arms!
Outstanding documentary
Yes, you've got it right, this is the best documentary on Kokoda,EVER !!
Brilliant doco. Thanks for sharing
My great uncle Lt. George Edward Pearce won the Military cross (I think it's called) in Papua. 2/14th, He guided he's squad/platoon or some amount of people back through enemy lines. He was killed in Papua sometime after
Crypt...The Paupuan Campaign was my Father's first Combat .... Went on to Bloody Buna Sanananda Corrigador Beachheads in the Bismarck Archepelagos and Admiralty's Phillipines all the way to Luzon...Leyte... Subic Bay Battaan Batangas Olangampos....New Guinea was Hell according to Pop...
Dear Lord, I'm glad I didn't have to go through what these blokes did.
I served in a regular army.infantry unit for most of the 1970,s no one was regarded as special because of his ethnic background we had soldiers with Dutch German Italian Lebanese Vietnamese yourselves greek Russian backgrounds. They were all children of migrants most were good soldiers the Australian army turns young men from all backgrounds into good citizens.
I love them all too mate,...how could you not.
The horror of war can be seen by the veterans who had to relive there experience. A terrible way to have that memory for life. I knew a Vietnam veteran who told me his experiences when the alcohol 🍺 and it was something hidden for a reason. But it toughening experience and a sad time to see people die for no good reason but to be used, abused and misused by the elites.
The toughest men this nation has ever seen and ever will see along with the Gallipoli anzacs.
And the British were also Gallipoli or the Dardenelles to give it its proper name.. A quarter of the Aussies were British born right through the war.
@@anthonyeaton5153 as I was saying, these men are he toughest men this country has ever seen. Nothing to do with British or where they were born. They were putting their life on the line to defend Australia in outrageous conditions outnumbered 5 to 1
@@aaronmitchell3252If you read the book by Peter Williams the Kakoda Trail who researched the Japanese archive and found that it was the Japs who were outnumbered and they l defeated the Aussies several times in months June to September and he is Australian. Try to dig a bit deeper in your military history.
@@aaronmitchell3252yes absolutely with all this nationalism the fact that it was an integrated effort that won’t the war is being lost.
Cheers from the Snow.....Great story of a Great nation.
I have a knife taken from a Japanese soldier on the Kokoda Track by a man who is and always will be a hero of mine. I have passed it onto my son and it takes pride of place in his bedroom. He knows the story of how it came to be in an Australians hands and I trust he’ll pass it onto his child one day with the story of how it came to be ours.
incredible...best film i found on Kokoda fighting
Even if half of it wasn’t true.
Great Men of Valor who gave it all!Brothers at arms who saved the great country of Australia!The greatest generation!!😀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Screw the politicians!
As a Yank, I was appalled by reading of our Gen. MacArthur' s disparaging comments on the Australian man's fighting ability. The majority of Americans knew better. Note that among knowledgeable Americans, MacArthur was despised for what he was, and the Australians and New Zealand troops admired. My dad was in the New Guinea theatre, and spoke glowingly of the Australian aviators, Army and civilians, who were wonderful to he and his USN Seabee shipmates.
Lest we forget.
Lest we Forget.
Not to detract from the courage and humanity of the naive young men who fought there, 'two of my Choco' uncles among them, one killed the other who suffered from an incurable tropical disease all of his remaining life, but time to get rid of the fallacy that Kokoda or any of the battles in the SEA theatre from the Malaya Peninsula fiasco to the fall and surrender of Singapore, criminal abandonment of Lark Force in Rabaul or the many battles in PNG or the Western Desert were about "saving Australia".
I am learning so much about the Papua New Guinea campaign. It is a silent campaign that isn't documented or known in Europe. I love this and a lot of other videos. Plus I will start looking for Memoirs on Kindle. I hope people can guide me to some good books of recounts of this campaign from the soldier on the ground.
Thanks.
Not arguably. It is. On VHS tape from many moons ago. The Master Chris master. Some might not agree but this is powerful.
Mate. If you have documentaries on Aussie troops liberating Borneo(Sarawak,Brunei and Sabah,Kalimantan) please upload them. Seems like the stories of those brave Aussie lads are lost.
Truly brilliant silent Man Of AUSTRALIAN
18:34 absolute mad lad in his shorts chucking a grenade
An the yanks claim to have been the first to beat the Japanese where it was the aussie lads who bore the brunt in the beginning. They also had to show the yanks how to fight in the jungle. Even career soldiers didnt think much of these lads but they deserve all the praise and can hold their heads up high .
I'd often see my father with a faraway look when I was young & it wasn't until later after watching shows like this that I realized where he was, never trying into any detail when I'd ask he'd just say God bloody awful ,an understatement for sure, this was a great program should be replayed ,Lest We Forget, F.T,Payne 2/16th Battn AIF.
Another great display of Aussie's bravery..look up the charge at Beersheba! It was in WW1...but miraculously took Beersheba from the Turks! Great men fought in both wars for Australia! 👍 💝 🐎
Why do the Aussies keep telling everyone how brave they were. Is it an inferiority complex. You are the only country that does and you did less fighting than many nations in WW2
Incredible.
Australia's Battle of Thermopylae. Heroes every one of them.
Thanks.
Let's not forget the men of Timor, 2 40th 2 2 independent company and their credos, some of these men came back from Timor, to join the 2 12 th then back to Ramu valley and Shaggy ridge New Guinea then on to Borneo
'Blamey's telegram: "Keep up the good work. Tired Australians fight best". That produced a reaction.' No shit!! Amazing...
Heroes
26:11 those men were nicknamed fuzzie wuzzie angles
(please forgive me if I spelt their nickname wrong).
Australia had great special forces!
What wonderful men
Notice how PTSD continues to ruin the living.
Mc carther hated Australian troops. Boy soldiers my shiny white ass, my dad was 40 years old when he crossed the Owen Stanleys.
The Australian general in charge of the Australian forces in New Guinea, General Blamey, called them cowards. Lest we forget!
Blamey was a disgraceful general.
That kid at the start "this is my second time"
Before my grandfather had fought his way through the Greek, Cypriot, and Vichy French campaigns as an AIF volunteer , he was finally, thanks to Prime Minister John Curtins remarkably patriotic insistence, that Australian troops in the Middle East and the Balkans had done all that they could,..and that now it was time to rush to the defence of home itself. Anyone who supposed that having occupied PNG the IJA and IJN would’ve been complacent of simply stupid enough to leave Australia alone to remain as a US continent, so to speak, to prepare for South East Asias liberation is an absolute nutter.
Didn't Australian's also send white feathers to the ANZACs who were fighting in Africa/Europe? I think I remember that when Tobruk was besieged, the Australians received white feathers for not returning home to protect AU, whilst they also received enemy propaganda meant to dishearten them so that they would surrender. It is not hard to guess which one hurt the soldier's the most.
What would my uncle's words be given the real understanding when I'm 15 or 16 year's old during a son's graduation or a daughters marriage celebration!? It was when studying WW2 and my dad and I in conversation was about to ask if he knew anything about "The War"? And as happened often when bringing a subject like war in a family setting was greeted with an inferrance "so what are you learning in school" and laboured at telling of the war and told him that I'm currently studying the Battle of the Bulge and with no hesitation he outed cooly"if your learning of the Battle of the Bulge go back and say your family is written about in those book's! When if asked of first hand account's a war veteran may not be inclined and may shy from discussion satisfied with any experience buried in the back of his mind and not ever again seen in the light of day.
It is on public record that the fuzzy wuzzy angles simply did not come down from there villages and volunteer to carry our injured men out over the Owen Stanley Ranges. The vast majority were press ganged into either carrying supplies or our boys out. Make no mistake this occurred at the end of a bayonet.
that doesn't account for the excellent footage of the australians returning in the '70s and being cheered and welcomed by the fuzzy wuzzy angels !! But hey, nothing like forcing more self guilt on a proud nation, huh !!
considering my dad said they only carried you on their backs if you had a machine gun, in order to shoot the Jps hiding up in the trees, it doesn't sound much like being forced
where can i find the bone man of kokoda ?
All the information was sensed in the same way that the public were not told about Darwin and the bombing
Bear in mind that I am not sure of the situation regarding the British forces at the time, and to what lengths they may or may not have actually gone to, in regard to assisting in the defence of Australia at and around this particular period of time. It certainly seems that they had shipped a great deal of Australian soldiers across the globe to assist in the defence of England, Africa, and France, etc, but, notwithstanding factors of which I may be unaware of (which, once again, I must add that I am not absolutely certain of the facts thereof, but there just doesnt seem to have been a great deal of aid sent to assist the Australians when the Japanese forces were on their doorstep.....
Seems those lads had to hold the line all on their own, and yet vc still became the first nation to inflict defeat on the Japanese forces since the outset of their involvement in WW2, effectively halting their overwhelming sweep across the nations of the South Pacific.
Sean O'Brieon....the did get help from the US half of the 32nd Division was sent there...the 126th Combat Infantry Regiment companies A thru M my Father was in L company....He was wounded Dec 5, 1942 at Bloody Buna Sanananda...Dad said of the 1100 Officers and enlisted men of the 126th only 7 would be left unscathed.. .I buried my Father in 1997 with Shrapnel still in him from that battle...the men I speak of were trained for open Country Warfare but sent to help by Mc Arthur...Cheers mate!
My father SGT George H. Chase fought in New Guinea with the 32nd. He was a combat Engineer in the 114th Engineers, flamethrower till the infantry were trained in place. He was also a Sapper... volunteered to be attached to an Australian unit for 6 months. I know his stories. I have 2 stories on video. Total Badass like the ANZACS. 👍🔥
The 32nd were American National Guardsmen (militia)from Michigan and Wisconsin, called the Red Arrow Division for being the 1st American unit to pierce and break through the Hindenburg line WW1. They were the Iron Brigade, cavalry who fought confederate infantry to secure a Highground at Gettysburg.
@@ericunderwood1482
They fought alone on the Kokoda Track.
USAAF and RAAF air cover and supply drops.
US and fresh Australian troops were flown to the northern coast once the Aussies had captured/and or had made airstrips.
You should look up Buna and see why Macarthur ordered Eichelberger to go there.
They forgot to mention they lifted the prohibition on head taking when it came to the Japanese. Many heads were taken...LOL
Damian Parer died filming the US marines in Peleliu. He was in front of the troops filming them advancing when he was killed by machine gun fire. The US troops with him looted his body, took his camera and exposed his film.
Exactly.
Making out that the cowardly MacArthur and Blamey were heroes ruined the whole account.
It's weird there's practically nothing known or discussed about this campaign
Nah, mate its in ACT war memorial museum
The leader of the Australians were were the best of experienced officers from WWI.
And their tactical actions proved it.
Such as General Gordon Bennet? And General Blamey?😆
Really enjoying the video it's just sad I'm getting childish ads every 2 minutes from UA-cam
These guys are heroes. If it were not for them we Aussies would be under Japanese rule today. It saddens me a little to think that we are selling iconic Australian industry to the very people these men fought and died to keep out.
Just like Americans selling out to Communist Chinese Whom they fought in Korea. Stupid.
The Japanese may not be enemies of Australia anymore, but the Communist Chinese are certainly still enemies of the United States, which makes their foolishness much worse.
My uncle Bernard killgarriff served with the 2/16 battalion in New guinea on kokoda campaignin papua New guinea
My grandfather Served in Kokoda but I don’t know if he is in this video as I never met him nor have I seen a photograph of him as my dad really did not like him and never kept one of him but I will have to check in with some of my other relatives to see if they have a photo of him
If you search his name at the national records website you’ll be able to get his service record.
@@XxBloggs ok will try that
I wonder if your grandfather came back from war with post traumatic stress? Perhaps the reason your father ‘didn’t like him’. I’ve read very sad stories of POWs of Japanese returning to life after the war.
The greatest generation
Re. Anzac Day, this was one of the most moving documentaries about Australians at war that I have ever seen.
It's a 1995 Australian "4-Corners" program by the magnificent journalist Chris Masters, about the Victorian 39th battalion on the Kokoda Track. Masters interviews veterans as they prepare to get together for a ride in an army truck on Anzac Day. All the fellows in it would be long dead by now, sadly.
It was called "The Men Who Saved Australia", and is about those who fought so bravely because *they sincerely believed* they were the only thing between the Australian mainland and a Japanese invasion.
Of course latter day military history revisionists have contradicted this belief, in my opinion because to do so served a conservative political agenda put about by former conservative Australian Prime Minister John Howard and others of his "King and Empire" persuasion. 1915's Gallipoli was elevated to "premier" status among Australian military expeditions, while the 1941-45 SW Pacific battles, beginning with the actions at Kokoda and Milne Bay were played down as sideshows. Why? In my opinion simply because the defence of New Guinea was a Labor policy. The conservatives promote the myth that "Labor is soft on Defence", when it has always been *Labor* governments that step up to actually defend the homeland, while the conservatives, counterfeit warriors, illegitimately claim the glory.
Repatriating the 7th Division, the "Rats Of Tobruk", from Africa to the Pacific in 1942 was also a Labor initiative, as was the US alliance. These went down like lead balloons with Churchill and the gaggle of senior Australian political brown-nosers in his London War Cabinet: Menzies, Casey, Page etc. (Page even advising Churchill to divert the 7th to Burma!).
Much muck and embarrassment could be swept under the carpet by Howard's demoting Kokoda and promoting Gallipoli... but I digress... This program is about the men, not the politics.
Despite their two faced, incompetent commanders, those men did what was thought to be impossible. They were the first to defeat the Japanese army in the field. Combined with the battles of Milne Bay and Lau, the fight on the Kokoda Track put an end to the expansion of the Japanese conquest. But, the American news reels showed it as an American victory. MacArthur got all the credit. Secondly, the Japanese were the authors of their own defeat. Had they treated the local population with dignity and respect, they might have had thousands of willing porters for their supplies. But, as usual, they behaved in a barbaric fashion towards these people and totally alienated them. Revenge was had with machetes and spears as the Japanese collapsed in starvation and disease. The locals had no mercy for them, nor was any deserved.
IT is sad to see the green recruits are sent to fight in such harsh terrain against an tenancious, indoctrinated enemy itself must be demoralising at first. greatest respect to these men.
Criticizing men with Enfield's in thick jungle against cannon and bayonet charges for a long duration showed once again MacArthur's lack of understanding which he did often in the Pacific even disregarding intelligence reports getting many men killed needlessly.
Have you ever thought why McArthur didn’t have Australians on his islands campaign. He said they won’t fight.
@@anthonyeaton5153 There was a problem of the navy man in charge of the campaign disregarding intelligence and not using tactics. Then there's generals being generals. Any excuse works. Better to say he didn't use them because "they won't fight" which is a joke than to say the navy command is stupid always putting landing troops in the open seas against the strongest points. So no way in the world is he going to commit his allies assets to die needlessly ie. they won't fight. Works better than insulting a naval commander that was butt buddies with the president or insulting aussies fighting like fools. When the army plans they take weak spots landing artillery then barrage with artillery. You don't stick your landing force in the open where the most enemy fire can be concentrated and the enemy can reinforce the easiest. Plain stupid.
Why is always someone else's fault when Aussies fail. Gallipoli was someone else's fault, Fromelles was and half a dozen other places. Yet when things go well it's always Aussie guts and no how ignoring there were others there making it a success like 1918 and Alamein. You part of a whole and you your flops as well as victories.
The ‘I was there’ stories are the least reliable. There is the temptation to exaggerate, forget, make it up or down right lie . I have known a few who did.
anyone 2020
PNG the Shadow fighters pull them(Aussies ) through,,,,.
Australia has never really adequately compensated the people of PNG for their help in WW2. It remains a stain on our Nations page in history.
@@1mmickk yeah we did we mapped the whole PnG nearly our government let them down selling off to indo
Nothing is mentioned about the PIB & their contribution in Kokoda Buna Sanananda Wau etc. All mentioned is the fuzzy wuzzy angels ( the war carriers) not of the PIB or Angau.
militia are part timers - they did well.
back then militia were kept home for the last line.
Now we send them everywhere because we have so few full timers.
We no longer have a last line.
Most of the Aussie army was ensconced in Australia by 1944 over officered and bored .
how did the 39th do it
Parers luck ran out later when he was cut in half by Japanese machine gun when he was filming on a Beach
Great Australians.
MacArthur says this ''' The Australian'i know know how to fight in the jungle"".plus lack of supply paradrop from his decision.
Charlie and Sam (Joe) Pyke 39th Battalion
500 Aussies militia vs 13,000 Japanese crack troops---
The Australian Battle of Thermopylae!
Wow!
Those figures are preposterous and impossible. Aussie hype. Check your source
McArthur and Blamey a bit like Abbot and Costello of Hollywood fame.
Kokoda ranks with the Battle of Britain
Rubbish! So now it’s Kokoda equates to the Battle of Britain, Gallipoli to DDay what other European battle are you going to copy. It shows the deep regret of Australia at not being involved in the land battle against Germany.
@@anthonyeaton5153 With alll due repsect, Sir, I beg to differ in opinion.
viz.
Germany was stopped at the Battle of Britain
" 8,000 japanese soldiers and 3,500 naval troops. ...At their point of farthest advance, the Japanese were less than 35 miles
(56 km) from Port Moresby. On September 24 the main body of Japanese withdrew. After more tenacious fighting along the Kokoda Track, the Australians and their New Guinean allies were able to defeat the Japanese and retake Kokoda village ..."
"The Kokoda Track marks the course of one of the most important battles for Australians in the Second World War. Between 21 July and 16 November 1942, the Australian Army halted the furthermost southward advance by Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea and then pushed the enemy back across the mountains.Oct 3,"
source: Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea - DCCEEW
DCCEEW
www.dcceew.gov.au › heritage › places › kokoda...
Saying they saved Australia is hype on stilts. The nearest Japan got to invading Australia was talking about it. They simply did not have the wherewithal. Logistics was the weakest element of their armed forces throughout the entire war.
Great men those diggers
Not more than children" My dad was 38.hardly a child.
God bless the Diggers.