|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| Location Lat 9° 1' 0S Long 147° 43' 60E Etoa is a location at an elevation of approximately 6,502' / 1,982m roughly 1 km west and 450m above Eora Creek village in the Owen Stanley Range of New Guinea. To the west is the Kokoda Trail and Eora Creek. In the vicinity is a source of fresh water. A walking trail to the southeast connects to the Kokoda Trail to the north of Eora Creek village. Another trail to the south connected to the Kokoda Trail to the south of Eora Creek village. Today located in Kokoda Rural LLG, Sohe District of Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). After rediscovery in 2010, dubbed the "Lost Battlefield" or "Japanese Forest Fort". Wartime History Following the Japanese withdrawal northward, this area was developed with defenses against the advancing Australians. To defend the Eora Creek area, the Japanese established strong defensive positions at Etoa on a ridge overlooking the area supported by machine guns and rifle pits. Nearby they emplaced heavy weapons including a single mountain gun and two mortars with access to a supply of fresh water. During the Battle of Eora Creek between October 22-29, 1942 Etoa was the primary Japanese defensive position. On October 22, 1942 at 10:30am the first elements of the 2/3rd reached Eora Creek village and were fired on by Japanese positions from higher elevation at Etoa. Other Australians to the south of Eora were observed by Japanese spotters and targeted with mortar fire. During the night they crossed northward until detected until detected and fired on and suffered 35 killed. During the night of October 23-24, 1942 was a stalemate with the 2/1st and 2/2nd to the south still waiting to advance. For the next two days, the Australians attempted to outflank the Japanese but made little progress and heavy rainfall causing Eora Creek to flood. By October 27, 1942 the Japanese tightened their perimeter. Meanwhile, most of the Australians had crossed Eora Creek but were facing difficultly being resupplied and the evacuation of wounded due to combat and rainfall that washed away one of the log bridges over Eora Creek. On October 28, 1942 the 2/1st began advancing uphill making frontal attacks with limited visibility and sustained heavy casualties. Meanwhile, the 2/3rd Battalion had been attempting to flank the Japanese discovered high ground the enemy had neglected to defend and then attacked downhill on the Japanese positions causing the surviving defenders to flee. On October 29, 1942 the Australians began advancing northward in pursuit of the retreating Japanese. Today This area is part of their hunting grounds owned by the Baige people who are the traditional landowners reside in Alolo (Alola). Since the war, they have traditionally was avoided the battlefield area out of respect for the spirits of the war dead and protected the site from outsiders or disturbance. On April 23, 2010 Australian Brian Freeman rediscovered the Etoa area dubbed the "Lost Battlefield". During their discovery, the they located the remains of three Japanese soldiers. The battlefield area was largely untouched with remains, helmets, weapons and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the area. The area where the Japanese mountain gun was emplaced is also known as the "Japanese Forest Fort". At this location ammunition for 70mm Battalion Gun Type 92 and 75mm Mountain gun Type 94 was discovered. The battlefield is managed by the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG). After rediscovery, the "Lost Battlefield Trust" was established and several Australian television programs aired on Channel 7 about the discovery and battlefield including interviews with Brian Freeman and Australian veterans from the battle. Today, the battlefield located within the Kokoda Interim Protection Zone (IPZ) and is under the Kokoda Military Heritage Management Plan (KMHMP). During 2011-2012, the Kokoda Initiative (KI) funded two archaeological investigations. Until the site is properly surveyed and all human remains recovered, the area is off limits to trekkers walking the Kokoda Trail. In the future, there are plans to make the site accessible to visitors. During the middle of February 2019, a joint team from the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) with the Japan Association for Recovery and Repatriation of War Casualties (JARRWC) visited the Etoa Battlefield and cleared 34 pits. Another visit to the site is planned for later in 2019. The NMAG effort was supported by the Australian Government through the Kokoda Initiative. References The Japan Times "Lost Battlefield of WWII found" by Kede Lawson June 11, 2010 "Known as the “Lost Battlefield,” the site was hidden on a remote plateau, 1 km west and 450 meters above the village of Eora Creek, in the Owen Stanley Ranges." Field Guide to the Kokoda Track by Bill James (2006) pages 303 (map Battle of Eora Creek October 27-28, 1942) The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda: The extraordinary discovery of a forgotten World War 2 battlefield by Brian Freeman (2012) YouTube "Kokoda War Graves - The Lost Battlefield" June 7, 2010 YouTube "The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda - Australian Soldier" February 20, 2013 YouTube "Channel 7: The Lost Battlefield - Kokoda Campaign, PNG" June 10, 2013 YouTube "The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda" September 17, 2013 YouTube "Channel 7: Lost Battlefield Kokoda Book by Brian Freeman" 2015 Archaeology "World War II-Era Secret Road Found in Papua New Guinea" July 21, 2017 Back Track Adventures "The Lost Battlefield at Eora Creek" March 26, 2016 Academia "Lost Battlefield, Eora Creek Initial Survey" by Matthew Kelly April 2011 [PDF] Academia "Lost Battlefield, Eora Creek, Stage 2 Survey" by Matthew Kelly February 2012 [PDF] YouTube "Conflict Archaeology and Local Communities - Dr Matthew Kelly" August 27, 2015 Extent "The Archaeology of WW2 in PNG – Dr Matthew Kelly" via Wayback Machine February 20, 2017 National Museum & Art Gallery (NMAG) "Joint Effort to repatriate war remains from Kokoda Track" March 8, 2019 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map Oct 27-28, 1942 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
