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.
