Conditions in the Jungle- Kokoda Track
The main Australian base in Papua New Guinea was Port Moresby, the Japanese invaded in Gona on the 21st July 1942, with the objective of catching Port Moresby. The most direct way across theses rugged mountains from Gona to Port Moresby was by a jungle pathway known as the Kokoda Track. Australians fought in appalling conditions over the next 4 months.
Terrain and Weather Conditions
The Kokoda Track was characterised by a tropical jungle, with thick foliage. It was mountainous with frequent mist and heavy rain. This meant the soldier's had very poor visibility. Thus, they were unable to see enemies and at times their own company. This made it harder for soldier's to direct their fire at their enemy. They were also unable to identify where the enemy's fire was coming from in the jungle. Due to the climate in the jungle, it meant all movement was slow. The vast jungle made it difficult to locate enemy locations and camps and often patrols returned with no sign of the enemy. For instance the 2/1 Pioneer Battalion in the last two weeks of September made contact with the Japanese only twice.
Equipment
As there was lots of foliage in the jungle, the soldier's had very poor visibility. To make it harder for the enemies to locate them, soldier's wore camouflaged clothing. The soldier's were unable to use weapons such as tanks and machine guns as they could not easily see their target. Smaller weapons were easier to use in this terrain as they could only see the enemy from 20 metres away.
Physical Health
Living in the climate of Papua New Guinea exposed solider's to extreme health conditions. One common health condition in this terrain is Malaria, which was contracted by mosquito bites. The wet, tropical environment made it a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Many soldiers suffered from this life- threatening disease. Both the Japanese and Australian forces lost more men from illness than in battle. Poor sanitation and the lack of clean water also had an impact on the soldiers health. If they were injured, it was common for the wound to become infected. Due to poor sanitation, soldiers were affected by diseases like dysentery, which was potentially deadly.
The Kokoda Track was characterised by a tropical jungle, with thick foliage. It was mountainous with frequent mist and heavy rain. This meant the soldier's had very poor visibility. Thus, they were unable to see enemies and at times their own company. This made it harder for soldier's to direct their fire at their enemy. They were also unable to identify where the enemy's fire was coming from in the jungle. Due to the climate in the jungle, it meant all movement was slow. The vast jungle made it difficult to locate enemy locations and camps and often patrols returned with no sign of the enemy. For instance the 2/1 Pioneer Battalion in the last two weeks of September made contact with the Japanese only twice.
Equipment
As there was lots of foliage in the jungle, the soldier's had very poor visibility. To make it harder for the enemies to locate them, soldier's wore camouflaged clothing. The soldier's were unable to use weapons such as tanks and machine guns as they could not easily see their target. Smaller weapons were easier to use in this terrain as they could only see the enemy from 20 metres away.
Physical Health
Living in the climate of Papua New Guinea exposed solider's to extreme health conditions. One common health condition in this terrain is Malaria, which was contracted by mosquito bites. The wet, tropical environment made it a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Many soldiers suffered from this life- threatening disease. Both the Japanese and Australian forces lost more men from illness than in battle. Poor sanitation and the lack of clean water also had an impact on the soldiers health. If they were injured, it was common for the wound to become infected. Due to poor sanitation, soldiers were affected by diseases like dysentery, which was potentially deadly.