The original Isurava village located near here,
was defended by 50 Papuans and 1,000 Australians against 6,000 Japanese.
The Japanese who had just captured Kokoda village, attacked Isurava from
three directions; the high ground to the west, directly along the Kokoda
trail and 3 kilometres to the east on the other side of Eora Creek (660
metre below here). The thin Australian line held on all fronts despite
continual attack between 26 to 30 August 1942. Australia's first
Victoria Cross of the South-West Pacific was won here by Private Bruce
Bingsbury on the 29 August.
Eventually the overwhelming Japanese numbers, especially in the West
forced the Australians to withdraw towards Alolo, the battle of Isurava
lost the Japanese four valuable days and a great number of casualties.
Both these factors ultimately contributed to their retreat on the hills
above Port Moresby.
