|
Post by okla on Aug 18, 2012 22:25:09 GMT 8
Hey EXO....Thanks for posting. As you know I have been "beating" the drum about how the Kokoda Trail/Pass actions have been given so little attention by Military Historians over the years. This little known victory by the Aussies was KEY in those dismal days in mid 1942. Had the Emperor's Legions prevailed and captured Port Moresby, the whole Allied timetable would have been shot to Hell for several months. Sure, the "Good Guys" would have prevailed eventually, but months would have elapsed, men and material (both in short supply)expended before we had regained the upper hand and begun the long march back up the coast of New Guinea toward the PI. It amazes me that most folks (at least here in the US) don't know the difference between Kokoda and Kokomo. Cheers. Postscript...Another thanks for posting the Map. It beats anything that I currently have in all my junk.
|
|
|
Post by fireball on Aug 19, 2012 4:22:34 GMT 8
When you see a memorial like the one in Manus that was built during the war by those who fought in it the meaning of that memorial is so much stronger and more personal. This was not someone else's fight but their own, as this small scrawl on the side shows: Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by okla on Aug 19, 2012 5:02:01 GMT 8
Hey Fireball....The guy who owned/managed the "Teen Town" hangout for the local High Schoolers when I was of that age, it seems ten thousand years ago, was a proud member of the 5th Regiment of what he called the "First Horse" (1st Cav Div). He was with them all the way from stateside to the liberation of Santo Tomas in Manila in early 1945. I wish he was alive to see this photo. Hell, he might have been the guy who helped mix the cement. He was certainly proud of his service and his outfit, and rightly so. Postscript...I still remember his tales of the brawls he and his 5th Regiment buddies had with guys from "Custer's 7th" Regiment. He always maintained that there would have been more "last stands" by the 7th had it not been for the 5th "bailing" them out. Thanks for posting this excellent stuff.
|
|
|
Post by buka on Aug 28, 2012 23:52:41 GMT 8
Paga hill is destined to be developed, be interesting to see if the bunkers and caves are incorporated as wine cellars like in other cities, or demolished. Before the squatters get pushed too far, there are three more sites like Paga. One at Idlers bay, one at Bootless Bay and one between KilaKila and the army barracks.
|
|
|
Post by fireball on Sept 25, 2012 17:50:29 GMT 8
A few late replies:
Okla - The Manus memorial really feels authentic rather than the produce of a committee some years after the war. I felt bad over its decay and with the digging out of the shell casings it is not a good sign for its preservation. I did email the 1st Cav Association but never received a reply - maybe I am classified as spam. With the reopening of the Australian Immigration Detention Camp nearby it is possible that some of the Australian staff (many of whom may have a military background) will help towards its preservation.
Buka - If the plans for the development are anything to go on I doubt much will be saved. Most (but not all) of the fortifications were not built to a great standard and so some are already decaying away. Having seen how the developer treated the houses of the living I would not be holding out much hope for anything other than a token piece of WW2 building to be saved. But, at present it is all before the Courts.
While the Bootless Bay battery moved before its final permanent 'home' it is probable that when you refer to "one at Bootless Bay and one between KilaKila and the army barracks" it is the same Bootless Bay battery. Apart from Paga Hill & Idlers Bay the other batteries are at Boera and, as an outpost of Paga, on Gemo Island.
I was going to post a picture of the infamous Torokina bulldozer but somehow my internet does not allow it.
Yours, Bored in Moresby
|
|
|
Post by fireball on Oct 12, 2012 5:57:41 GMT 8
|
|
|
Post by okla on Oct 12, 2012 8:41:21 GMT 8
Hey Fireball...Thanks so much for posting this pertinent poop. I say again, Kokoda has been TOO long overlooked in the writing of the History of WW2 in the Pacific. This fight was key and deserves to be listed right there with the 'canal, Solomons,etc in our initial efforts to climb back up the "ladder" to the Philippines. Methinks, Buna-Gona should receive a bit more "ink" also. After all, that nasty little fight consolidated our position in that part of New Guinea and set the stage for the move Northwest. Thanks again for this excellent article. Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by fireball on Jul 31, 2013 12:25:06 GMT 8
From Post Courier newspaper 31 July 2013: Gold handled dagger 'worth millions' .... Just hope it does not bring the treasure hunters out. The area is slatted for a major oil palm development (an activity which often seems like a disguise for some serious logging) and so much of the WW2 remains may destroyed or lost. To get an idea of the huge areas such developments cover look at Popondetta (ivo Girua Airport) and Alotau (ivo Gurney Airport) on Google Earth.
|
|
|
Post by okla on Aug 2, 2013 6:17:19 GMT 8
Hey Fireball....Do you suppose that "gold handled" trench knife is brass, rather than gold??? Just wondering???
|
|
|
Post by fireball on Aug 2, 2013 17:05:25 GMT 8
You must be a mind reader ! Who knows but whatever the metal I think millions is pushing the value . When I get a chance I will post some pics of Torikina - apparently last year one if the landing craft crew returned for a visit
|
|