A Bastard of a Place Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Chalk

Lieutenant John Chalk commanded a rifle platoon of the Papuan Infantry Battalion. His unit ambushed Japanese forces on the night of 22nd July, 1942, a day after the landing, before retreating to fight another day.

Answer: Awala

The platoon was sent by B Company's CO, Captain Sam Templeton, to reinforce a unit of the Papuan battalion that was under fire from the Japanese.

Answer: He went missing in action

On 26th July, Templeton left his company to deliver a message to reinforcements warning them they might encounter Japanese troops. He was never seen by his troops again. He is assumed to have been captured, interrogated then killed by Japanese troops. A Japanese survivor of the campaign claimed to have buried Templeton.

Answer: Lewis Gun

The Lewis Gun was used as a light machine gun in World War One. Although largely superseded by the Bren in WWII, it still found service in the war as an infantry weapon, including on Kokoda.

Answer: 1,200 men

The militia had put up so much resistance that, when they took Kokoda, they believed they had faced 1,200 men. In reality, they battled only 77.

Answer: True

On August 8th, 1942 three companies of the 39th counterattacked the village. C and D Company were pinned down by the Japanese, but Noel Symington's A Company actually retook Kokoda. However, they were forced to withdraw on the 9th.

Answer: They found a dry lake bed and used it as a drop location

Lieutenant Bert Kienzle discovered a dry lake bed on 3rd August. He named it Myola, after the wife of his CO.

Answer: Italian

Then a Company Commander in the 2/11th, Honner's unit first went into battle against the Italian army in North Africa.

Answer: Bruce Kingsbury

Private Bruce Kingsbury of the 2/14th battalion joined a counterattack at Isurava. His withering Bren gun fire was said to be a decisive factor in the enemy retreat. He was killed by a sniper and honored posthumously.

John Edmondson was decorated for action at Tobruk, Jack French at Milne Bay and Edward Kenna at Wewak, New Guinea.

Answer: Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC has passed into military legend. Isurava, where the 39th held off vastly superior Japanese numbers until AIF reinforcements arrived, has drawn comparisons to the famous fighting.

Interestingly, Australian and New Zealand troops in Greece actually took part in defending the real Thermopylae against German troops.

Answer: 53rd Battalion

The 53rd was sent to protect the right flank. Facing a Japanese force, they were infiltrated and a number of senior officers killed, causing the 53rd to retreat. Although the hole was plugged before the Japanese took advantage of it, the 53rd were sent back in disgrace.

Answer: True

MacArthur told General George Marshall that "the Australians have proven themselves unable to match the enemy in jungle fighting. Aggressive leadership is lacking". This was after they retreated from Brigade Hill. This judgement remained a sore spot with many Australians.

Answer: They could see the lights of the city and the Coral Sea

From Ioribaiwa, they could see the lights of Moresby and the Coral Sea. However, due to the poor condition of the Japanese and their supply lines, shortly afterwards they were ordered to withdraw.

Answer: False

The 32nd Division was sent to outflank the Japanese. However, the route chosen for the march was impractical and the 32nd never engaged a single Japanese soldier. Their ranks had been decimated and they earned the nickname "The Ghost Soldiers". The 32nd wouldn't go into action until the battle of Buna-Gona.

Answer: They fought Japanese delaying actions until finally reaching Kokoda village

The Japanese used delaying actions with as much determination as the Australians. This slowed down the Australians and this resulted in the relief of their commander, "Tubby" Allen. His dismissal became a sore point to the Australian soldiers. Kokoda was retaken on 2nd November 1942.

Answer: True

During a visit to the Kokoda veterans, Blamey told the Australians that they had been beaten by inferior forces, and "it's the rabbit who runs who gets shot, not the man holding the gun." This did not make him popular amongst the veterans, and some said he was lucky to escape with his life. Blamey was frustrated because he felt the fighting withdrawal was not as glamorous or as quick as his superiors, including MacArthur, would have liked.

But it probably saved Port Moresby.

Answer: He drowned during the retreat

Horii was killed in November 1942 during the Japanese retreat. His raft capsized and he drowned whilst crossing the Kumusi river.

Answer: All of these

Dead Australian and Japanese soldiers were eaten by desperate Japanese. Prisoners were also said to be tortured, and two female missionaries were killed by the Kempeitai (Japanese secret police).

Answer: 2008

Unfortunately, they were not recognized for their bravery until 2008. It is believed that they saved many lives by carrying wounded Australians. Not a single injured soldier was abandoned by the "Angels".

Answer: Buna-Gona

The 39th Battalion were part of the American-Australian force that fought on Buna-Gona from November to January. The 39th returned to Australia and was disbanded after the battle. The men were sent either to other militia units or the regular AIF.