One Australian trekker made international news when he came across something from World War II no one ever laid eyes on. He was hiking through the jungles of Papua New Guinea and found the unthinkable. To everyone’s surprise, the WWII remains from almost 70 years ago were still there! Well, what exactly did he find and how did this happen?
Kododa Trail
If you’re Australian, you know all about the Kokoda Trail. Located in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, the single-file footpath winds through the Owen Stanley mountain range. This 98 km or about 60 miles has become a pilgrimage track to honor men that died fighting the advancing Japanese during World War II.
Kododa Trail
Honoring Their Ancestors
Each year, thousands of Australians embark on the trek through the beautiful but rough jungle path. The pilgrimage is meant to honor all of their fathers and grandfathers. One such trekker is Brian Freeman. He mistakenly thought he found an important battle-site, “I used to stand at the site where we thought the battle was fought and brief the trekkers about it – but things didn’t add up. It was too small, it wasn’t in a good defensive position. I mentioned this to a villager one day and he pointed up the hill and said: ‘That’s our village secret up there’.” Things were about to come together.
Honoring Their Ancestors
Historical Trail
For years this trail has seen many Australians trek through. It’s a crucial part of Australian history. However, the trek is very difficult and only for those who are physically fit enough. Everyone had heard about this important battle that happened along the trail somewhere, but the exact spot was still a mystery…until Brian Freeman made a remarkable discovery.
Historical Trail
Brian Freeman’s Experiences
At age 49, Brian Freeman already hiked the trail dozens of times. Through the years, he had befriended some of the local villagers. This former Specialist Forces soldier spent 20 years in the Australian Army, but now runs a battlefield tour company. Many say he knows the Kokoda Trail better than any Australian. He even set records running the trek for his travel company. However, he never even suspected that the villagers of Alola were harboring such a huge secret.
Brian Freeman’s Experiences
Secret Site
As Brian tells it, the villagers of Alola told him something very special one day back in 2009. They revealed there was a secret battle site a few hours hike from their village. However, Brian said, “I doubted it existed. Luckily though they were used to me and trusted me enough to guide me there.” It took years of friendship with them, for Brian to earn their trust.
Secret Site
Hours Later
Hours after Brian Freeman embarked on his search in the steaming Papua New Guinea jungle, he arrived at the site. Almost like the scene out of a film, he entered a large clearing through a cloud of rising mist.
Hours Later
Unbelievable Discovery
As he and his companions left the jungle and stepped into the clearing, he could not believe his eyes. He told Anne Barrowclough from The Times, “It was like walking into a living museum.”
Unbelievable Discovery
From Generation To Generation
Ever since 1942, the villagers kept this special war secret from generation to generation. The special secret of a lost World War II battlefield where Australian and Japanese soldiers met in one of the bloodiest battles the Australians faced in their campaign against Japanese forces. However, the jungle reclaimed this piece of history. Luckily, Brian Freeman discovered the lost battlefield of Eora Creek.
From Generation To Generation
Untouched Battlefield
What’s so remarkable is that this battlefield was totally intact. It was discovered only after 68 years by Brian Freeman! It was previously known as the “Lost Battlefield.” Its location is 1 kilometer west and 450 meters above the village of Eora Creek which is in the Owen Stanley Ranges.
Untouched Battlefield
Most Significant WW2 Discovery Of The Century
The site has been regarded as the “most significant WWII discovery in the 21st century!” Freeman stated in a recent interview, “Significantly, the discovery of the Lost Battlefield will enable Australian and Japanese Veterans’ services to begin the process of identification and repatriation of dozens of lost soldiers.”
Most Significant WW2 Discovery Of The Century
How Did He Do It?
Freeman couldn’t believe it! He had spent years and years researching battle maps and soldiers’ personal diaries in an attempt to discover the site. He also owed a great part of his success to the local Alola people who live close to the battlefield. He developed a relationship with them that would not only lead him to the site, but to also uncover disturbing evidence of what actually happened at this battle site.
How Did He Do It?
Number of Casualties
Australian and Japanese forces began to fight on October 22, 1942. The battle lasted all of four days and four nights. On the first day it is believed that about 79 Australians and 69 Japanese soldiers were killed in the jungle-covered mountains. Because the site was lost for so many years, its rediscovery was incredibly important. But there were still so many mysterious details lurking beneath the jungle floor.
Number Of Casualties
As If Time Stood Still
When Freeman found the trek for the first time, he said, “On our inaugural trek, we were hoping to find the remnants of a make-shift Japanese hospital and, potentially, relics of guns and ammunition. I never anticipated that we would find war dead.” He said, “It was as if time has stood still. We found ammunition running out in a line from the rifle that was dropped as the Japanese advanced to the rear.”
As If Time Stood Still
The Discovery Allowed Them To Really See What Happened
An Australian general named Peter Cosgrave also visited the site stated, “Our metal detectors picked up rifles, ammunition, and helmets of Australian and Japanese soldiers, all illustrating that this location was a significant Japanese defensive position.” He continued, “You can see the positions held on both sides. You can see where they treated their wounded. You can see the Australian advance and ultimately the casualties.”
The Discovery Allowed Them To Really See What Happened
Village Superstition
Over the years, the army uniforms rotted away, but things like their belts, leather boots, and even gun holters were still very much visible. Although villagers knew about this battlefield for years, their superstitions kept them from exploring or touching anything. They feared the ghosts of the battle still haunted the land. Brian Freeman guessed he was the first white person to see the battlefield since 1942.
Village Superstition
Battle of Eora Creek
Brian had finally found the lost site where the Battle of Eora Creek took place. Back in 1942, the battle began on October 22nd and only ended seven days later after much bloodshed. The Australian soldiers, known as Diggers, from the 16th Brigade hacked through the jungle on the Kokoda Trail. Japanese forces had been advancing and planning to use this region to launch an attack on mainland Australia.
Battle Of Erora Creek
Conditions
The famous Kokoda Trail runs 60 miles long! The trek is not easy either. As the Diggers discovered, it’s humid and hot in the jungle, but also freezing at night. Not to mention, malaria was widespread at the time. Once they stumbled upon what was a Japanese field hospital turned defensive stronghold, the battle broke out. Sadly, the Japanese who held the high ground were able to attack the Diggers with machine guns, but not without a fight.
Conditions
The Battle
That plateau just above Eora Creek had been a medical center for Japanese soldiers while they advanced on the Kokoda Track. This was during the beginning stages of the Pacific War. Just months later, the clash took place there, while the Japanese were in their tactical retreat, or as they referred to it, an “advance to the rear.” Thus, the armies met in battle in late October 1942, with the Japanese suffering a tremendous loss of hundreds of casualties. This battle stopped Japanese forces from getting to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea’s capital, which would have put the Japanese within striking distance of Australia. The Japanese were forced to flee the jungle.
The Battle
Japanese Retreat
Due to the positioning of bodies across the field, Brian Freeman was able to distinguish between the Japanese and Australian soldiers. In addition, he used the weaponry to tell them apart. At least 70 Australians died there, but hundreds more were wounded. Yet, the Diggers were able to drive the Japanese to retreat. Then they buried some of the Imperial soldiers in what became a mass grave there. However, lots of the soldiers were simply left where they died.
Japanese Retreat
Unique Site
This site is incredibly unique, as it’s the only known battlefield where both the deceased and weapons lie in the same place they fell from the battle. Safely hidden under the canopy of the jungle, it stayed untouched for almost 70 years. Only the Alolo village knew about it because they hunt on the surrounding plateau. They called it their village secret, avoiding it out of respect for the spirits.
Unique Site
Speculation Of A Medical Facility
Freeman speculated that there was a Japanese medical facility in the area, but there was no evidence or statement from local people validating his prediction until something amazing happened.
Speculation Of A Medical Facility
What Was This Evidence?
Using battle maps and diaries, the team was able to locate kidney-shapes medical dishes at the site. This proved there was indeed a Japanese hospital on site.
What Was This Evidence@
Hoping For A Hospital
Freeman explained, “The very first thing I saw was a Japanese soldier who still had his helmet on. We went on to find the bones of another three Japanese soldiers. I had never expected to find war dead. It’s one thing going into a place like that and finding weapons or artifacts – it’s quite another finding soldiers who died as they fought. I was a soldier for 20 years and I was shocked at the sight…On our inaugural trek, we were hoping to find the remnants of a make-shift Japanese hospital and, potentially, relics of guns and ammunition.”
Hoping For A Hospital
Honoring The Fallen
What he did come across was completely unexpected. He admitted, “I never anticipated that we would find war dead.” However, once they found the dead soldiers he changed his priorities. Freeman said, “As soon as we realized that Japanese and, potentially, Australian soldiers were buried at the site, we discussed with the villagers the need for those men to be identified and returned home.”
Honoring The Fallen
Extensive Research
It was his extensive research that led Freeman to the conclusion that the Japanese had a medical facility somewhere in that area of the jungle. He read old diaries and battle maps, studying everything he could about the area and war. Thus, he had his suspicions that the Japanese had some sort of medical facility during their advance. However, the location of the said facility remained a complete mystery until then!
Extensive Research
Confirmation
What confirmed Freeman’s theory was when they came across some very interesting evidence. Thus, he could properly conclude that there had been a Japanese hospital there in September 1942.
Confirmation
Human Story
Yet, more importantly, Freeman remarked, “However, it was the discovery of a Japanese soldier sitting up against a tree, only centimeters from the surface still in his helmet, with his boots nearby that began to tell the human story.”
Defensive
More Bodies Were Found
Freeman not only found the skeleton of one Japanese soldier sitting against a tree with his helmet on, but other adventurers also found the remains of an additional 3 Japanese soldiers. How incredible!
More Bodies Were Found
Number Of Casualties Is Uncertain
The total number of people involved in the battle and the casualty numbers are still being debated, Freeman and his group said 79 Australian soldiers died and 145 were wounded in battle. However, the Australian War Memorial website claims 99 were killed and 192 wounded.
Number Of Casualties Is Uncertain
Defensive
There were also big rectangular pits. They call them rifle pits. Their presence proved that this was indeed an important Japanese defensive hold.
Defense Evidence RIfle Pits
Reviewing The Damage
An Australian general named Peter Cosgrave was also on the site. He said, “Our metal detectors picked up rifles, ammunition and helmets of Australian and Japanese soldiers, all illustrating that this location was a significant Japanese defensive position.”
Reviewing The Damage
Priority Was Set
Freeman then began to think what the most important thing to do with this amazing discovery could be. He now found a battlefield, had evidence of the hospital, details of the war, and an estimate of the people involved. He said at the time “Our priority is to identify and repatriate the fallen soldiers and to honor their memory by ensuring all other elements remain intact and untouched.”
Priority Was Set
Working With The Best Estimates They Have
So, over the four days and nights of fighting, it’s estimated that about 69 Japanese soldiers died along with the 79 Australians. Brian Freeman stated, “The bodies of five Australians and dozens of Japanese soldiers were never found and are currently listed as missing presumed killed in action.”
Working With The Best Estimates They Have
Proper Burials At Last
He added, “Our hope is that we have found those fallen soldiers, that they can be identified and returned to their families for appropriate burial.”
Proper Burials At Last
Records
So, now there was more evidence and a clear goal: to return the bodies to their families in hopes of having a proper burial after all these years.
Records
Seeing It All
As Cosgrave said, everything is there, revealing what went down. Cosgrave said, “You can see the positions held on both sides. You can see where they treated their wounded. You can see the Australian advance and ultimately the casualties.”
Seeing It All
Restoration
After this huge discovery, they reached out to the professionals about the next steps. Besides identifying the bodies, there was another big goal: to fully restore the battlefield and the Japanese hospital to the condition they were in 68 years ago.
Restoration
Restoring The Site To The Best Condition Possible
So, how would they do it? Freeman stated, “From here, we will continue to work with Alola village and the respective governments to preserve the site in its current pristine condition.”
Restoring The Site To The Best Condition Possible
Eerie Place
While being interviewed with his fellow trekker, Freeman explained the vibes, saying, “This is a battlefield which is not a memorial but a battle site where you can walk in and experience it. It’s a very eerie place.”
Eerie Place
Preserving The Site
One spokesman for the Australian Defense Force confirmed, that the bodies of Australian soldiers were to be buried in Port Moresby, the location of the closest Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery. In addition, Freeman said they were working with both the Japanese and Australian governments to repatriate the deceased soldiers while preserving the site in what they found to be its “current pristine condition.”
Preserving The Site
Freeman’s Book
Unsurprisingly, Brian Freeman wrote a book about this amazing discovery and the history behind it. Come on, how could he not write about the lost battlefield in the jungles of Papua New Guinea? His book is called The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda.
Freeman’s Book
Returning
Even years after finding it, Brian Freeman continues to return to that very site. He has documented much of what they found.
Returning
No False Expectations
Also, as we mentioned there has been archaeological digs to identify the bodies. Freeman explained, “We don’t want to create any false expectations for the relatives, but I would like to see the bodies repatriated to Australia. The Japanese are undecided whether to bring their dead home or build a memorial at Eora Creek.”
No False Expectations
Incredible Piece Of History
Freeman spoke about the unbelievable experience saying, “I feel privileged to have been trusted by the villagers at Alola, because the site of the battle mystified so many people for so long. There are a lot of Australians who would like to visit the battlefield, but I think it will be at least another four years before all the remains have been identified. I’ve written a book about my experiences: The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda is only available in Australia at present but writing it was a cathartic experience in the circumstances. I think it’s incredible that such an important battlefield was forgotten but equally amazing how it was found again.”
Incredible Piece Of History
Support From All The Locals?
While some locals helped Freeman identify the site and the bodies, some of them were very happy with his work, but others were not. Some of his local supporters were glad he made the discovery, is restoring the site, and returning the remains of the existing bodies. Many local villagers actually believed the site was haunted by the spirits of the dead, and now they had some answers to the mystery.
Support From All The Locals@
Opposition Of Locals Formed Just This Year
With that being said, Freeman and his entire group also faced some surprising opposition. Just this year, a group of landowners led a blockade which closed off areas of the Kokoda track to protest the new management of the historical site.
Opposition Of Locals Formed Just This Year
Kokoda Track Landowners Task Force
In fact, the opposition formed their own group called the Kokoda Track Landowners Task Force. They have been making statements in the media recently to voice their opposition.
Kokoda Track Landowners Task Force
Temporary Blockade
The landowners behind the blockade stated they are tired of being “economically suppressed, oppressed and exploited” for the past 10 years.
Temporary Blockade
Where Are The Benefits They Were Promised?
The Landowners Task Force committee’s complained about not receiving promised health and education benefits and about $2 million of payment owed to the landowners from the PNG Government. They never received any of what was promised to them. Moreover, they stated there has been “a lack of consultation and accountability in relation to funding provided to the authorities by the Australian Government.”
Where Are The Benefits They Were Promised@
Managing The Funding
The group is targeting the PNG and Austrailian government to do a better job tracking and managing the Kokoda Initiative. They are urging both governments to get involved more and more closely monitor funding, and how it is being used.
Managing The Funding
Urging Action
In one press release the committee stated, “Since the establishment of the Kokoda Initiative Program, there has been nil general public Kokoda Track Community forum workshops from the CEPA (PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority).” The statement continued to explain, “There is no detailed reporting in terms of funding expenditure which provides some area of concern in terms of their expenditures that require detailed explanation for general public comprehension at present.”
Urging Action
Where Is The Money?
Part of their complaints stems from the fact that they believe they are owed over $1.5 million dollars by PNG’s government. There also was supposed to be funding for them and the site from the Australian government.
Where Is The Money@
Kokoda Task Force Committee
The release had signatures of 19 landowners of the village including James Enage. He acts as the chairman of the “Kokoda Task Force Committee.” It included a series of recommendations including restructuring the management and investigating the finances. Enage stated, “I’ve been warning of something like this for years. It’s compromising the integrity of our most important World War II icon.” He continued, “We are very confident with the approach that through the review [the demands] will be considered.”
Kokoda Task Force Committee
The Blockade Ended
And he was right. The blockade lasted three weeks and was threatening to delay the official start of the trekking last March. The PNG Government ended up agreeing with the group’s main demand and the track was reopened.
The Blockade Ended
Robert Agarobe
The Provincial Governor Robert Agarobe also helped convince the landowners to end the protest. He said to them, “Let’s open the track, we got trekkers, trekking companies out there who want to finalise and book their trekkers to come for this trekking season.”
Robert Agarobe
What About The Sites Reputation & Tourism?
Even Papua New Guinea’s Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive Jerry Agus got involved. He said the closure would damage the reputation of the site and tourism. He stated in an interview, “The word closure of Kokoda Track definitely has negative implications on the tourism industry in this country because you don’t only have Kokoda Track in the entire world, there are other alternative tracks that people can go to.” The Kokoda Tour Operators Association President Sue Fitcher said because the blockade ended so soon, it wouldn’t disrupt tourism. She did state, however, “If we are going to entice more Australians to trek Kokoda, we need to have confidence that the track will remain open, that it’s business as usual, so this kind of disruption does have the potential to be damaging, [however] I don’t think it has been so on this occasion, to any extent.”
What About The Sites Reputation Tourism@
Excitement Was Growing
Brian Freeman compared it to walking onto a film set. Adding, “I was excited that I’d been taken to such an important historical site but emotionally disturbed by seeing the remains of so many dead soldiers, from both sides.” They had found a Japanese soldiers remains, still with his helmet on, propped up against a tree, right where he fell in battle around 70 years before. His boots were close by, as were loads of ammunition, Japanese shells, Australian machine guns and hand grenades. In the foliage of the clearing were helmets boots, bones and water bottles galore.
Excitement Was Growing
Unexpected
As Brian Freeman told The Times, “I thought we might just a find a couple of old weapons but there were guns, mines, helmets, water bottles. It was incredibly emotional knowing that you were looking at items that had been dropped as those Japanese and Australian soldiers lost their lives. And the dead lay just where they had fallen or were laid by their comrades…It was as if the battle had just happened.”
Unexpected
All Is Well That Ends Well
So, all is well that ends well. There have been no further issues or complaints about the track or the site since then. In the end, this was an absolutely amazing discovery that not only completed a very interesting part of history but also allowed many families of war veterans to finally have closure.
All Is Well That Ends Well