SH11 SURGERY DURING WORLD WAR II IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA – THE KOKODA AND BUNA‐GONA CAMPAIGNS JULY 1942 TO JANUARY 1943

The Japanese took Rabaul in January 1942 and established large naval base operations within the South Pacific. After their naval setbacks in the battle of the Coral Sea (May 1942) and at Midway (June 1942) they planned to capture Port Moresby to control sea routes to Australia. During the months February to July Australian troops were being brought into Port Moresby but there was a lack of medical officers and specialists to service the battalions. The Japanese landed at Buna and Gona on 21st July and pressed on to Kokoda where the defending 39th battalion was without a medical officer. The aged WWI veteran, Dr GH Vernon, who had refused to be evacuated, provided care for the mortally wounded Captain Owen on July 23rd. The Australians were forced to retreat down the Kokoda track until the Japanese advance was halted by disease and lack of supplies in September. Then they were able to advance. During this campaign Douglas R Leslie, not then qualified as a surgeon, operated on the wounded at Myola. Once Kokoda was retaken casualties could be evacuated to the Australian General Hospital in Port Moresby by air. Portable Hospitals were introduced by the Americans for the Buna Gona Campaign. The presentation covers the Japanese campaign, their retreat and resort to cannibalism. It also reviews some of challenges presented by the injuries managed by surgeons DR Leslie, TH Ackland, JM Yeates and Major William L. Garlick of the US 3rd Port Hospital. The casualty evacuation arrangement for each of the 3 forces is discussed.