Second Battle of Eora Creek–Templeton's Crossing
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The Second Battle of Eora Creek–Templeton's Crossing was fought from 11 to 28 October 1942. Forming part of the Kokoda Track campaign of the Second World War, the battle involved military forces from Australia, supported by the United States, fighting against Japanese troops from Major General Tomitaro Horii's South Seas Detachment who had landed in Papua in mid-1942, with the intent of capturing Port Moresby.
Second Battle of Eora Creek–Templeton's Crossing | |||||||
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Part of the Second World War, Pacific War | |||||||
Eora Creek valley | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Australia | Japan | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Arthur Allen John Edward Lloyd Kenneth Eather |
Tomitaro Horii Masao Kusunose | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Strength | |||||||
1,882–2,100 | 986–1,075 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
412 killed or wounded | 244 killed or wounded |
It formed part of the Australian pursuit of the Japanese towards the beachheads around Buna and Gona, following the abandonment of plans to capture Port Moresby. The Australians took heavy casualties as part of efforts to advance north to re-take Kokoda and then push on towards Oivi and Gorari in November. Eora Creek village and Templeton's Crossing had also been the site of a battle from August to September 1942, as the Australian forces were forced to retire toward Port Moresby by the advancing Japanese.