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| Location The Kapa Kapa Trail is a walking trail that spans from Kapa Kapa (Gabagaba) on the south coast of New Guinea across the Owen Stanley Range to Jaure. The track runs roughly parallel and roughly thirty miles southeast of the Kokoda Trail. Also known as the Kapa Kapa-Jaure Track. Prewar and during the Pacific War spanned Central District and Northern District in Territory of Papua. Today spans Central Province and Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Wartime History During October to November 1942, the U.S. Army 32nd 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion made an arduous trek across the Kapa Kapa Trail to get to the north coast of New Guinea. An alternate track spanning from Abau-Namudi-Jaure was considered but never utilized. Simultaneously, an Australian Army Infantry Brigade departed Milne Bay along the north coast to Wanigela, then across Cape Nelson to Embogo bound for the Japanese occupied Buna-Gona-Sanananda. While crossing, the Kapa Kapa Trail was rendered useless by the development of several airfields on the northern coast that allowed soldiers and supplies to be air lifted from Port Moresby much close to the battlefield. References HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Victory in Papua page 110-116 Kapa Kapa (Gabagaba) Coastal village southeast of Port Moresby, start of the Kapa Kapa Trail. Karekodobu (Karekodobu, Kalikodobu, Kalamazoo) Known as "Kalamazoo" as the local name was hard to pronounce. Nepeana Located 14 miles from Kapa Kapa. During 1942, this village marked the end of a rough road. During early October 1942, E Company, 126th Infantry Regiment were based here. During the Kapa Kapa Trail trek, American soldiers reached here on the first day. General Harding visited Nepeana to see the troops off and ordered their packs lightened and less ammunition carried. References HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Victory in Papua page 110-112 Arapara Village along the Kapa Kapa Trail. Located roughly 30 miles inland from Kapa Kapa, roughly four days march inland, halfwat to Laruni. During early October 1942, US Army Major Baetcke was tasked with building a forward supply base at Arapara, the most forward location that supplies could be carried. Four days after departing Kapa Kapa, soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment began arriving at Arapara, where their native carriers deserted them, leaving the Americans to carry their own gear. References HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Victory in Papua page 110, 112 Laruni Mountain top village, furthest point where supplies from Karekodobu could reach. Advance U.S. Army troops established an air drop location nearby for resupply. A few days march out of Laruni, 2,000' higher than the gap is more difficult country than the Kokoda Trail, U.S. Army Captain Schultz reported how narrow the trail was in this area, "Even a jack rabbit couldn't leave it." forcing soldiers to march single file. References HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Victory in Papua page 110, 112-113 Mount Obree (Suwemalla Ghost Mountain) Highest elevation in the vicinity and the peak was often covered by clouds. Jaure (Taure, Iaure) Village located at the headwaters of the Kumusi River, the trail splits into two trails: one towards Waropi and the other east towards Buna. Natunga Village northeast of Jaure, leading to the Buna area. Bofu Village north of Natunga and Jaure, used as a dropping ground for C-47 Skytrains. Kovio Used as a U.S. Army base camp and drop zone for supplies air dropped by C-47 Skytrains to support the U.S. Army crossing of the Kapa Kapa Trail. References HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Victory in Papua page 115 Barumbila Village located ten miles south of Wairopi. During early November 1942, used by the U.S. Army as an advance post before to their advance to the Japanese beachhead area. References HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Victory in Papua page 115 Contribute
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