Kokoda Track and the war

When we lived in Port Moresby in the sixties, one of our favourite places to visit was the Bomana War Cemetery. Strange, isn't it? But Bomana is serenely peaceful - yet it is a vivid reminder of the thousands of our Australian soldiers who fought and died in Papua New Guinea and especially, along the Kokoda Track.
Tim & Heather both looked forward to visiting this extraordinary place and they both expressed their feelings that to them, this was their Gallipolli, realising that along the Kokoda Track Australian territory was defended and the Japanese lost their first World War II encounter. Reading about it and seeing films about the Kokoda Track story was one thing, but to actually be there was entirely another experience.The above pic is of what is known as Ower's Corner and is the start of the track that finally finishes at Kokoda. Looking at the scene it all looks so tranquil but has stunning scenery:In the visible distance, you can see Imita Ridge. That is the Australian frontline and looks across the valley to Iowarabi, the Japanese frontline. It is just so close to Port Moresby and if the Japs had conquered that city, it would have been their platform for an attack on Australia.

I am sure that our soldiers in 1942 had no eye for the scenery and were more concerned in fighting the impossible odds. These scenes are what they experienced:Both Tim and Heather, plus some of the Bible Society staff (most of whom had never been there before) chose to walk down the track for a while and see what it was like. Heather was quick to decide that this was not for the faint-hearted - and she is pretty fit and does a lot of bush walking.Kalo and his daughter went along and I just wonder what went through their minds, especially about the contribution by those Papuans who were affectionately known as the 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels'.Equally, these Bible Society friends were contemplative as they touched base with the reality of 1942 and what it did to their people.The Bible Society Staff who came along with us:Bomana......a sacred place where those who gave their lives were laid to rest and are remembered:For Tim & Heather, this was also a new experience and they commented on how well these memorial gardens are kept.Even those remains that could not be identified were reverently interred, 'Known only to God'There were many soldiers who died, but whose remains were never found. Their names are recorded in this Rotunda:It was a memorable visit that left us thinking about the claims of the cross; of Jesus Christ who invites us to accept His sacrifice in order that we may live to eternal life. Hallelujah!