Kokoda Day celebrated in Australia and Papua New Guinea
Kokoda Day, known officially in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day’, is celebrated annually on 3 November to honour the brave and selfless Papua New Guinean locals who assisted Australian troops during the Kokoda Campaign in the Second World War.
Those civilians provided medical care to the wounded, evacuated the sick, helped build bases and airstrips and carried supplies. They became known as angels, and the assistance they provided helped hundreds of Australians.
The Battle of Kokoda was fought between July and November 1942. From September, Australians forced the Japanese troops slowly back along the track and by 2 November 1942 the Australians had retaken Kokoda. The following day, now commemorated as Kokoda Day, the Australian flag was raised at Kokoda.
On Kokoda Day we remember all Papua New Guineans who came to the aid of so many Australians in 1942 and those who lost their lives, including those who served in uniform alongside Australians. We also honour the more than 600 Australians killed during the campaign, and the more than 1,600 who were wounded.
This year on Kokoda Day, please take a moment to acknowledge the strong bond between Australia and Papua New Guinea that was formed during the Kokoda Campaign.
Bomana War Cemetery, near Port Moresby, PNG