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| Location Lat 9° 7' 53S Long 147° 40' 22E Templeton's Crossing No. 2 is located along the Kokoda Trail and Eora Creek (Iora Creek) in the Owen Stanley Range in New Guinea. Also known as No. 2 Dump. This area has the steepest and highest elevation of the trail. To the south is Templeton's Crossing No. 1 (No. 1 Dump). To the north is Eora Creek village. Today located in Oro Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prewar At what became Templeton's Crossing No. 2) was native village with a dozen huts roughly 200' to 300' above a stream on a the ridge line of a spur was located at this location later known as Templeton's Crossing No. 2. Prewar, a track used as a mail route diverged near the Kokoda Gap northward and rejoined the Kokoda Trail at this location. Wartime History During the Kokoda campaign, the stretch of the Kokoda Trail near this area was regarded as "an abomination" due to the terrible condition. This area was named "Templeton's Crossing" by Bert Kienzle in honor of Australian Army Captain Samuel "Sam" Templeton who was killed July 26, 1942. In early September 1942 surveyed by the 2/6th Field Company Engineers that regarded this location as "very bad track... track in bad condition, sideling [sic sliding] out and covered in 6" mud". This area was a dump for rations and ammunition. Due to the poor terrain, Brigadier Potts elected not to defend the area and instead withdraw to Myola. On September 3, 1942 in the morning, the Australian Army 2/14th Battalion withdrew past Templeton's Crossing No. 2 to the south. After the Japanese defeat and withdrawal northward, the Japanese established defensive positions to the south. By October 15, 1942 the Australian Army 2/33rd Battalion reached Templeton's Crossing No. 1 and after crossing the Eora Creek were subjected to Japanese ambushes and took three days to clear northward to Templeton's Crossing No. 2. Meanwhile, the 2/25th Battalion advanced along the old mail route to attack the flank of Templeton's Crossing No. 2. By October 22, 1942 the area was secured at the cost of 46 killed at both Templeton's Crossing No. 1 and Templeton's Crossing No. 2. By late October 1942 Templeton's Crossing No. 2 became a dump area known as "No. 2 Dump" for supplies air dropped or landed at Myola or being carried over the Kokoda Trail to this location. References WW2 Nominal Roll - Samuel Victor Templeton, V50190 Field Guide to the Kokoda Track by Bill James (2006) pages 279 (Myola track report 9/42), 280 (map Myola to Templeton's Crossing No. 2), 281 (map profile Myola to Templeton's Crossing No. 2), 383-384 (Templeton's Crossing No. 2), 284 (Templeton's Crossing No. 1), 285 (map Templeton's Crossing 10/42), 286 (Templeton's Crossing KIA 9/4/42), 286-290 (Templeton's Crossing No. 2), 291-292 (casualty list Templeton's Crossing No. 1 and No. 2), 294 (map Templeton's Crossing No. 2 to Eora Creek village), 295 (map profile Templeton's Crossing No. 2 to Eora Creek village) Contribute
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