The village of Efogi and its postwar airstrip
are an important centre on the Kokoda trail. People live here in peace
now but during September 1942 this area was the focus of a great battle
between the Japanese and Australian armies.
From 6 to 9 September 1942 at Brigade Hill (which overlooks Efogi from
the south) 1 000 Australian troops halted the relentless advance of the
Japanese army. The Australians who were outnumbered 6 to 1, held their
front across the Kokoda Trail. However in a coordinated move another
Japanese force passed undetected around the West side of Brigade Hill
and fell upon unsuspecting Australian headquarters and rear positions.
Desperate, bloody fighting ensued. just sufficient time was allowed for
the Australians to withdraw into the jungle they avoided Menari as it
was Japanese occupied and reformed beyond Ioribaiwa the most southerly
point reached by the Japanese.
Much later in the subsequent Japanese retreat Efogi was abandoned and
Brigade Hill with it's dead became a lasting memorial to the courage of
the fighting men.
The battles of Brigade Hill and Isurava were the most lengthy and
important on the Kokoda trail. Both slowed the Japanese advance
inflicting heavy casualties and denying anticipated captured of
Australian food supplies. These were two factors significant in the
final Japanese retreat.
