Essence of Kokoda. Patrick Lindsay. 2005.

The battles along the Kokoda Track are themworld War II equivalent of Gallipoli in World War I, with one critical difference - on the Track our Diggers were fighting to defend their homeland.

By early 1942, Japan had conquered Asianand the Pacific and invaded Papua New Guinea. Our most experienced soldiers were away in the Middle East fighting Hitler and his allies. The only troops protecting Australia’s freedom were a handful of ipuntrained, untested militiamen. Yet, against all the odds, these young Diggers held on long enough for our AIF troops from the Middle East to join them to repel an invading force vastly superior in numbers and firepower. 

Featuring stunning images and interviews with survivors - from both sides - Essence of Kokoda is the definitive concise guide to the battles that saved a nation.