The Allies decided to build up forces in New Guinea around the main Japanese base at Raubaul, but aware that the enemy could head to Buna to threaten Kokoda and Port Moresby, forces were also put up at Kokoda and along the trail as well as the airstrip area.

In July1942 the Japanese first landed around the Buna area on the north-east coast of Papua. The Kokoda track is a jungle pathway over mountains that could only be traveled on foot, meaning all supplies and equipment had to be transported with the troops as they trekked. The Japanese were slowing pushing the Australian troops backwards, towards Port Moresby. This is because the conditions in the jungle caused diseases, like malaria, and resources were running low for the Australians, so they couldn't fight to the best of their ability. The wounded had to be stretchered to safety, but many had to walk because there were only a limited amount of stretchers. Luckily the indigenous Papuan people offered to care for the wounded Australian troops, who named them "fuzzy-wuzzy angels".

The Battle

By September the Japanese were in close range of Port Moresby, however they were struggling because they were now very far from their supply base on the north coast and were facing the issues the Australians previously faced-hunger and illness. The American forces decided to occupy one of the Solomon Islands as a base to attack the Japanese ships from and this was meant to weaken them more. The Japanese Commander changed course and ordered the troops to head for the Solomon Island where the Americans were, but the Australians followed them along the track to their base on the coast and defeated them there. The battle lasted for 4 months, ending in November.