The Military History Society of NSW

At the battles of Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill, 7-8 September 1942, in the legendary Kokoda Trail Campaign, three sister battalions of the AIF, 2/14 th from Victoria, 2/16 th from Western Australia and 2/27 th from South Australia were together for the first time. Attacked on the upper slope of Mission Ridge, the 2/27 th resisted fiercely, leading to a Japanese flanking move which cut the 2/14 th and 2/16 th off from Brigade Headquarters. The Japanese couldn’t be dislodged from the track, so the order to withdraw was given. But the 2/27 th hadn’t yielded and launched several bayonet charges to give other units the opportunity to withdraw. Because of this delaying action, they themselves were forced to withdraw by cutting a parallel track and carry stretcher cases from the other units with them. They succeeded in this backbreaking task under the sterling leadership of Captain Harry Katekar (pictured), who was awarded the Militar...

The Military History Society of New South Wales Since 1968 Sydney's and NSW's leading forum for the discussion of all eras of Australian and world military history, sites and heritage, and related books, magazines, films and television programs. Monthly lectures Reconnaissance Magazine Website and social media Excursions to sites Become a member Gallipoli, Fromelles, Pozieres, Somme,  Beersheba, Monash, Tobruk, Kokoda, Long Tan, Napoleon, Nelson, Trafalgar, Waterloo, Gettysburg, Grant, Alamein,  Rommel, Stalingrad, Midway, D-Day etc   Are you interested in New South Wales, Australian and world military history and heritage? All are welcome to join. For just $40 a year , membership of the Society provides access to: A website, blog and social media accounts , Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, keeping you abreast of latest opinions, books, articles, events, ceremonies, commemorations Monthly lectures by leading writers, academics, historians, b...