The battles along the Kokoda Track are the World War II equivalent of Gallipoli in World War I, with one critical difference - on the Track our Diggers were fighting to defend their homeland.
By early 1942, Japan had conquered Asia and the Pacific and invaded Papua New Guinea. Our most experienced soldiers were away in the Middle East fighting Hitler and his allies. The only troops protecting Australia's freedom were a handful of untrained, untested militiamen. Yet, against all the odds, these young Diggers held on long enough for our AIF troops from the Middle East to join them to repel an invading force vastly superior in numbers and firepower.
Divided into ten chapters, and featuring an introduction and a bibliography, this remarkable new account from bestselling author Patrick Lindsay captures the essential spirit of the Diggers of Kokoda. Featuring stunning images and interviews with survivors - from both sides - 'The Essence of Kokoda' is the definitive concise guide to the battles that saved a nation.
