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STATION 3
OWERS' CORNER
The end of the Jeep Track
Late in August 1942, Lieutenant N.Owers, with a small survey
party, was looking for an alternative route forward of Ilolo
by which the troops on the Kokoda Track might more easily
be supplied. The jeep track only ever reached as far as the
point which became known as Owers' Corner, and then gave way
to a foot track which wound down a steep slope towards Uberi.
During the month of September 1942 two 25 pounder field
guns of the 14th Australian Field Regiment were brought forward
to Owers' Corner, where they were manhandled into firing positions.
This was the only allied Field Artillery used during the Kokoda
Track campaign to support the out gunned and greatly out numbered
Infantry. This action assisted in halting the Japanese advance
just 48 kilometres from Port Moresby; so began the Japanese
retreat. The terrain was almost impassable for Infantry let
alone Artillery. A third 25 pounder field gun was dismantled
and manhandled to Peg 66 beyond Uberi. The Regiment was assisted
in reaching their firing position by a Platoon of the 2/1st
Pioneer Battalion. However, by then the Japanese had withdrawn
beyond the range of the gun.
Following the action at Owers' Corner from 22 to 28 September
1942, the Commander Royal Artillery 7th Division, Brigadier
L.S. Barker despatched the following:
"The ejection of the enemy from Ioribaiwa Ridge indicates
a turning point in the battle for Port Moresby. The success
of our forces was due in no small part to the action of
53rd Field Battery, 14th Field Regiment in bringing fire
to bear on the enemy position which they had every reason
to consider was safe from artillery fire.
The manner in which difficulties were overcome in bringing
guns into action at Owers' Corner and later in taking guns
forward to Uberi is another example of the aptness of the
gunner motto, "UBIQUE".
The accuracy of the fire brought down at extreme range
indicates that the personnel who served the guns are maintaining
that standard of efficiency which is recognised as inherent
in gunner units.
Special mention must be made of the early reconnaissance
of the area and the accurate observation of fire by the
Troop Commander, Captain J.P. Cullen who has been mention
in despatches.
The action of the unit in taking a gun to pieces to manhandle
it up and down he steep hillsides of Uberi indicates that
the Militia soldier is fully alive to the resourcefulness
expected from gunners. The task of getting this gun forward
was facilitated by the good work of 5 Platoon 2/1st Pioneer
Battalion who improved and prepared the track.
The CRA desires to congratulate the officers and men who
took part in the actual action, on their fine achievement
and that he feels confident of the good work which will
be carried out in future by the 14th Field Regiment and
wishes them every success in the campaign ahead.
(Sqd) L.S.BARKER, Brigadier
CRA 7 Australian Division.
All units which participated in the Owen Stanley Campaign
between McDonald's Corner and Kokoda, passed through Owers'
Corner.
Later as the counter offensive was under way, on 3 October,
Generals MacArthur, Blamey, Herring and Kenney accompanied
by the Minister for the Army, Mr F.M.Forde, visited Owers'
Corner as the 16th Brigade began their move towards the objective,
Kokoda. General MacArthur told Brigadier J.E. Lloyd the commander,
"Lloyd, by some act of God, your Brigade has been chosen for
this job. The eyes of the Western world are upon you. I have
every confidence in you and your men, good luck, don't stop."
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