An amphibious landing by Japanese forces to capture Port Moresby was postponed indefinitely after the
Battle of Midway. The Japanese command believed there to be a road leading through the Owen-Stanleys from Kokoda to the south coast. An invasion force was landed on the north coast near
Buna and
Gona from 21 July 1942. Two battles were fought in and around the village during the opening stages of the Kokoda Track campaign. Kokoda was reoccupied by Australian forces on 2 November 1942, following the Japanese withdrawal back to the north coast. The station is linked by a rough road and a two-hour journey to the provincial capital of
Popondetta. In August 2009
Kokoda airstrip was the destination for
Airlines PNG Flight CG4684 that crashed whilst attempting to land. All 13 people on board were killed in the crash, including nine Australian passengers who were due to trek the Kokoda Track, a Japanese passenger, and three Papua New Guineans, including the two pilots. ==Climate==