The Kings of Kokoda

On the 29th August 1942 a soldier of the Australian Maroubra Force placed his hand on the bipod of his Bren gun, the barrel was still too hot to hold and loaded a fresh magazine. The enemy, only yards away, were crashing through the jungle towards them. The Australian Force were massively outnumbered, exhausted and disease ridden - they knew they were staring defeat in the face. No Allied army had yet beaten the fearsome Imperial soldiers of the Japanese Army in battle. But that would soon change. The soldier gritted his teeth, grabbed the charging handle and cocked his weapon. As the Japanese ran screaming towards him he charged back at them, firing from the hip...

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Contributors:

Lt. Col. Todd Vail, Australian Army

Kurtis Lowden - Deputy Curator, Australian Armour and Artillery Museum

Dr Chris Mann - Director of The War Studies Department, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Episode Credits-

Written, Researched and Executive Produced by Ed Sayer

Additional Research Charles Phillips

Associate Producer Lois Crompton

Editing, Sound design & 3D mastering by Vaudeville Sound Group

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