Kokoda 12 Hour Challenge - AAR

Peter Lander (CO Plan) ran the Japanese team, and Peter Macaroni (Major Block) handled the Australians.  Click here to read the after action review of the 12 hour Kokoda Challenge.
 

The Japanese quickly moved down the track as ordered at double time until ambushed near Gorari. They then deployed for battle and drove back the Australians (enemy) leaving 7 dead Australian soldiers before the enemy broke contact.
Just past Gorari the Australians were found to have established a new ambush site, the japanese were somewhat alert now, however the Australians put up a much stronger fight slowiing the advance down for around a hour. The enemy finally withdraw to a strong hill position over looking the track at Oivi. The Japs quickly occupied Oivi but came under increasing accurate fire from the Australian positions. Elements of the Japanese force flank to the west of the Australian threatening to cut them off from the line of supply to Kokoda. Fortunately for the Australians a Papuan guide Lance Corporal Sanora helped then find a way through avoiding most Japanese patrols leading to a successful breaking of contact and retreat to Deniki.

Kokoda village was next, this was on high ground with some stout buildings for defence. The enemy established a regimental aid post in the main building. It took constant assaults from different angles and a threatening of supply lines to ultimately force the Australians to retreat.

The Japanese then advanced on Deniki but encoutnered an Australian patrol coming up the track in the other direction. A large firefight ensued with heavy casaulties on both sides until eventually the enemy withdraw.
A Pirvi village the troops establised a defensive position and managed to ambush the Australians. The Australians appear to have lost 2-3 platoons in the action.

A reinforcing engineering unit was ambushed on the track behind Kokoda. The Japanese attack from both ends in wave and wave to reopen the supplies lines. Eventually the Australians withdraw but friendly casaulties were very high with more than 90 sons of Japan dead.

After capturing Kokoda the Japanese under the cover of darkness approach Isurava flanking it from west through heavy woodland as well as driving up the track itself. The japanese advance soon bogged down until heavy enemy fire making advance very difficult and expensive in terms of lives lost. Finally with the position about to be surrounded the Australians withdrew again to Isurava rest house with the Japanese in hot pursuit. Captain Natakupa was determined to ensure the enemy lines of retreat were cut prevent escape from the rest house area so they flank through the eastern woods. Firing mostly at muzzle flashes and numerous advances the Australians finally did attempt to withdraw but were mostly wiped out in the process.

Finally on the Abauri side track the 53rd Battalion and the 2/144 Japanese encountered each under during a night advance near the village of Abauri. The Australians finally took the village after a hours intense fighting.

The Japanese won with 774 points, the Australians had 690 points.

Any battlefield that would like to try to run the Kokoda event please email plan for the write up.