Many Australians feared that an Imperial Japanese invasion was imminent as Japan focused their forces further south towards Singapore. With the Australians not having confidence in their defense, Australians willfully requested for a commander in southeast Pacific from either Great Britain or America and it was not until the Americans lost the Philippians to the Axis that Australia had a strategic importance. The Americans set their base in Australia, under the command of an American general Douglas MacArthur. Once the Australians had lost important strategic locations MacArthur announced "The Australians have proven themselves unable to match the enemy in jungle fighting. Aggressive leadership is lacking." (MacArthur, 1942) and deployed the
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The Japanese knew it will be too costly for another naval campaign and on July 21 landed with an infantry size of 20,000, in New Guinea at Gona. The Australian 39th battalion encountered the Japanese on July 23 at Alawa, ending with the 39th battalions withdraw, destroying the bridge that crossed the Kumusi River. the Kokoda campaign was treacherous as there were steep slopes, few tracks, and thick jungle, with both sides using camouflage and scouts to determine enemy location. With the supplies not coming through for the Australians and the 6000 Japanese advancing to Port Moresby against the 250 in the 39th division, local men from New Guinea called 'Fuzzy Wuzzy angels' or just 'Fuzzy Wuzzy,' helped the Australians by carrying fallen soldiers, equipment and assisting the Australians with geographic locations. However just like those from the 39th division, many local men assisting the Australians were forced labor, yet many of the 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' were rewarded the medal of honor and proclaimed as heroes. With the Japanese closer than 40km away from Port Moresby Australians finally managed to set up an artillery up on a steep mountain that would now bombard enemy
The Japanese knew it will be too costly for another naval campaign and on July 21 landed with an infantry size of 20,000, in New Guinea at Gona. The Australian 39th battalion encountered the Japanese on July 23 at Alawa, ending with the 39th battalions withdraw, destroying the bridge that crossed the Kumusi River. the Kokoda campaign was treacherous as there were steep slopes, few tracks, and thick jungle, with both sides using camouflage and scouts to determine enemy location. With the supplies not coming through for the Australians and the 6000 Japanese advancing to Port Moresby against the 250 in the 39th division, local men from New Guinea called 'Fuzzy Wuzzy angels' or just 'Fuzzy Wuzzy,' helped the Australians by carrying fallen soldiers, equipment and assisting the Australians with geographic locations. However just like those from the 39th division, many local men assisting the Australians were forced labor, yet many of the 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' were rewarded the medal of honor and proclaimed as heroes. With the Japanese closer than 40km away from Port Moresby Australians finally managed to set up an artillery up on a steep mountain that would now bombard enemy