World War II Trek Reenactment (Kokoda Track)

On the 7th of July, 1942, B Company of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion (a ragtag militia unit made up of mostly young men), set out from McDonald's Corner near Port Moresby, across the Kokoda Track to intercept the advancing and thus far unstoppable Imperial Japanese Army. Dressed in desert khaki uniforms, B Company; led by Sam Templeton and guided by Bert Kienzle; crossed the Owen Stanley Ranges in just over a week, reaching the sleepy village of Kokoda on the 15th of July. This march represented the first time the Australian Army had crossed the Kokoda Track.

A secret diary penned by Corporal Jack Wilkinson, tells us exactly where B Company stayed and the terrain they walked through.

On July 7, 2017, we will be reenacting this historic trek in full replica military uniform, right down to the boots, carrying reproduction pay books and dogs tags along with camping at the same locations and even eating similar rations (not all Bulli Beef and Biscuits!).

As we follow in the footsteps 75 years later, the story of the Kokoda Campaign will be brought to life by historian and trek leader David Howell. David’s master story telling combined with the participants wearing the same clothing and equipment as the 39th did will certainly add a new dimension to trekking Kokoda.

As the group makes its' way over the Track they will open reproduction letters (taken from the originals) sent from the troops and received by the troops. They will wear ‘dog tags’ and carry with them a replica pay book in the name of one of the soldiers who made the journey 75 years ago. 

This is a truly unique trek undertaken last time 75 years ago as the Japanese advanced towards Australia's shores.

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Expedition Date : 6-17 July, 2017

Run by No Roads Expeditions and Kokoda Historical

Website Link http://www.75kokoda.com.au/39th-march-to-kokoda.html