Kokoda and Beyond: Papua and New Guinea 1942-1945

In early 1942 the Japanese set their sights on capturing Papua & New Guinea.

A series of defensive battles at Milne Bay and along the Kokoda Track, as well as the naval victories in the Coral Sea and at Midway Island put the Japanese on the back foot.

Then followed a series of Allied offensive operations that drove the Japanese back and provided the springboard for General Douglas MacArthur’s successful advance into the Netherlands East Indies and the Philippines.

This one day conference examines this critical period of Australia’s military history. This conference will include fresh analysis and insights from a highly informed and relevant range of historians and veterans.

Dr Adrian Thelfall, author of Jungle Warriors: From Tobruk to Kokoda and beyond, how the Australian Army became the world’s most deadly jungle fighting force is the keynote speaker.

Dr Ian Pfennigwerth will examine the naval aspects of the campaign, James Bowen the land aspects and Dr Mark Johnson the air force aspects.

Neil Sharkey and David Howell will consider how the campaign is remembered and interpreted.

And most significantly, a panel of veterans from these battles will relate their experiences and perspectives.

The conference, convened by Military History and Heritage Victoria Inc., will be held at the Pompey Elliot Memorial Hall at the Camberwell RSL on Saturday 16 April 2016.

The full conference program is attached. Entry fee $50 for MHHV members and concession, $75 for General Admission. The price includes morning and afternoon tea and light lunch.

The full conference program is available here.

Entry fee $50 for MHHV members and concession, $75 for General Admission.

The price includes morning and afternoon tea and light lunch.

Register here

Proudly Sponsored by

And supported by