'Beyond the Battlefield' military history talk: 'Aitape-Wewak campaign'
Join us for a dive into military history at our 'Beyond the Battlefield' talks where we explore untold or little-known stories.
Welcome to our August Friends of Kokoda (FoK) 'Beyond the Battlefield' military history talk event.
Join us on Saturday 8 August 2026 at 10:30 AM at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway's Ralph Honner Education Centre, where our speakers discuss military history topics, both on and beyond the battlefield.
Our August talk will see author and former academic Dr Jan McLeod present another fascinating WWII talk '"What doors of indiscipline might be opened?" Casualties and controversies of the Aitape-Wewak campaign 1944-45'.
In late 1944, soldiers from 6 Division AIF relieved troops of the American 6th Army in the
Aitape – Wewak area of northern New Guinea. The Australians were initially tasked with undertaking a limited operation centred on ‘clearing’ the remaining Japanese troops from this sector. The resultant campaign continued until the end of the war.
With more than 1,500 Australians killed, wounded or missing in battle and almost 20,000 suffering from illness and disease, some questioned the necessity of Aitape – Wewak. Examining medical issues associated with the campaign lends context and perspective.
Why did so many young Australian soldiers pay such a high price at this late stage of the Pacific War? What lessons from the hard fighting in Papua and New Guinea were heeded, forgotten, or disregarded?
This will be Dr McLeod's third talk at the Walkway. She has written books on medical services in Papua during WWII, as well as a personal story of her great-uncle who served in the Middle East and Papua during the war.
Admission for members of the FoK program is free; others can pay a small donation of $5.00 on the day (or through our website).
Connect with fellow military history enthusiasts at the Walkway and don't miss out on this unique experience!
Join us for a dive into military history at our 'Beyond the Battlefield' talks where we explore untold or little-known stories.
Welcome to our August Friends of Kokoda (FoK) 'Beyond the Battlefield' military history talk event.
Join us on Saturday 8 August 2026 at 10:30 AM at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway's Ralph Honner Education Centre, where our speakers discuss military history topics, both on and beyond the battlefield.
Our August talk will see author and former academic Dr Jan McLeod present another fascinating WWII talk '"What doors of indiscipline might be opened?" Casualties and controversies of the Aitape-Wewak campaign 1944-45'.
In late 1944, soldiers from 6 Division AIF relieved troops of the American 6th Army in the
Aitape – Wewak area of northern New Guinea. The Australians were initially tasked with undertaking a limited operation centred on ‘clearing’ the remaining Japanese troops from this sector. The resultant campaign continued until the end of the war.
With more than 1,500 Australians killed, wounded or missing in battle and almost 20,000 suffering from illness and disease, some questioned the necessity of Aitape – Wewak. Examining medical issues associated with the campaign lends context and perspective.
Why did so many young Australian soldiers pay such a high price at this late stage of the Pacific War? What lessons from the hard fighting in Papua and New Guinea were heeded, forgotten, or disregarded?
This will be Dr McLeod's third talk at the Walkway. She has written books on medical services in Papua during WWII, as well as a personal story of her great-uncle who served in the Middle East and Papua during the war.
Admission for members of the FoK program is free; others can pay a small donation of $5.00 on the day (or through our website).
Connect with fellow military history enthusiasts at the Walkway and don't miss out on this unique experience!
Good to know
Highlights
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- In person
Location
Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway
Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway
Killoola Street, Rhodes Park Concord West, NSW 2138
How do you want to get there?
