Kokoda is a 2010 ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) documentary about the 1942 Kokoda Track campaign. Using a mixture of archival footage, interviews, and dramatic reconstructions, it tells the story of the fierce and bitter campaign, from the fighting on the ground to the politics behind the battle. It is noteworthy for the impressive effort put into obtaining historically accurate firearms for the productions.
Admin note: Normally documentaries are not allowed on IMFDB, however this miniseries (there were only two episodes) utilized major re-enactments of the events, using actors dressed in period correct uniforms and period correct weapons. This qualifies this title for inclusion into IMFDB.
The following weapons were used in the miniseries Kokoda (2010):
Handguns
Webley Mk IV
A Webley Mk IV is used by Brigadier General Arnold Potts when his HQ is ambushed by Japanese soldiers.
Brigadier General Arnold Potts draws his Webley Mk VI when Japanese soldiers open fire.
Potts cocks the hammer on his Webley.
Submachine Guns
M1928A1 Thompson
Several Militiamen can be seen carrying and firing the M1928A1 Thompson during the Kokoda Track Campaign.
M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACP
A Militiaman fires his M1928A1 Thompson.
A Militiaman firing his Thompson.
A Militiaman carrying a Thompson.
A Militiaman opens up with his Thompson.
M1A1 Thompson (Replica)
Captain Sam Templeton uses an M1A1 Thompson during the initial skirmish at Deniki. Interestingly enough, an AIF soldier can at one point be seen using an M1A1 Thompson with a 50-round drum magazine.
The M1A1s used in the series have numerous differences from the real thing, such as unusually tall front iron sights, short, squat barrel and handguard, non-standard charging handle, redesigned rear sights, and the ability to accept a drum magazine, something not possible on the actual M1A1 Thompson. These characteristics, coupled with its generally non-metallic appearance, indicates these Thompsons are likely resin replicas.
The use of the M1A1 Thompson during the Kokoda Track campaign is also historically implausible, as the M1A1 was introduced in October 1942, at the tail end of the campaign. Furthermore, the Australian Army's M1928A1 Thompson submachine guns during WWII were replaced by the Owen Submachine Gun and Sten variants.
M1A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP
Captain Sam Templeton aims his M1A1 Thompson during a skirmish at Deniki.
Captain Templeton with his M1A1.
An AIF soldier prepares to ambush a small Japanese unit with his M1A1 Thompson; note the 50-round drum magazine.
Close-up of the iron sights. The sights here are an odd, wide opening rather than a circular peep sight with an upper notch for longer range shooting. Also note the charging handle, which appears to have been taken from an M1928 Thompson.
Owen Submachine Gun
39th Battalion Militiamen and AIF soldiers carry Owen Submachine Guns during the Australian counterattack and the battles at the Buna-Gona beachfront.
Owen Mk I Submachine Gun - 9x19mm
An AIF scout carries an Owen Submachine Gun.
A Militiaman runs into battle with his Owen Gun.
Rifles
Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III*
The main weapon of both the 39th Battalion Militiamen and the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in the documentary is the Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III*, in particular by Captain Basil Catterns and Pte. Laurie 'Smoky' Hausen.
Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* - .303 British
A member of the 39th Militia Battalion conducting a bayonet drill with his Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*.
Several Lee-Enfield rifles sit stacked against one another.
A Militiaman fires his Lee-Enfield during the initial skirmishes at Deniki.
Several Militiamen fix bayonets to their Lee-Enfield rifles in preparation for a Japanese attack.
Pte. Laurie 'Smoky' Howsen fires his Lee-Enfield at attacking Japanese soldiers.
A Militiaman fires his Lee-Enfield.
A Militiaman with his Lee-Enfield shortly before realizing that he is out of ammunition.
An AIF soldier carries his Lee-Enfield around his shoulder.
'Smoky' Howson and an AIF soldier await a Japanese attack in their foxhole.
Captain Basil Catterns with his Lee-Enfield during the Battle of Eora Creek. His actions during this battle would lead to him being awarded a Military Cross, the third highest military decoration of the British Empire.
Arisaka Type 38
The Imperial Japanese Army soldiers in the documentary use the Arisaka Type 38.
Arisaka Type 38 Carbine - 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Numerous Japanese soldiers wading ashore at New Guinea carry Arisaka Type 38 rifles.
Close-up of an Arisaka rifle barrel; the shape easily distinguishes it as a Type 38 rather then the
Type 99.
Japanese soldiers fire Arisaka rifles at Australian defenses.
A Japanese soldier works the bolt on his Arisaka.
A Japanese soldier fires his bayonet-fitted Arisaka.
A Japanese sniper firing his Arisaka.
A Japanese soldier running into battle with his Arisaka.
A Japanese soldier chambers another round into his Arisaka.
Machine Guns
Bren Mk1
Soldiers from both the 39th Militia Battalion and the AIF carry and operate the Bren Mk1 on a regular basis during the campaign.
A Militiaman in a foxhole prepares to operate his Bren Gun.
A Militiaman carrying a Bren Gun.
A Militiaman pours down fire with his Bren.
Several AIF soldiers standing around an unloaded Bren Gun.
An AIF soldier aims his Bren.
Another AIF soldier lugging his Bren.
Lewis Gun
Several 39th Battalion soldiers carry a Lewis Gun.
A Militiaman fires his Lewis Gun during a skirmish at Deniki.
A Militiaman lugs his Lewis Gun.
A Lewis Gun resting against a tree.
A Militiaman hunched over his Lewis Gun.
Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun
Several Japanese soldiers use the Type 92 heavy machine gun, noticeably the soldiers who bypass and ambush Brigadier General Arnold Potts' headquarters at Isurava.
Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun - 7.7x58mm SR
A Japanese machine gun crew set up a Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun on a tripod.
Another gun crew carry a Type 92 during the bypassing of Potts HQ.
The Japanese gunners open fire on the HQ.
Close-up of the ammunition belt on a Type 92.
Type 99 Light Machine Gun
Several IJA soldiers, including Corporal Michiharu Wake, carry and operate the Type 99 Light Machine Gun.
Type 99 Light Machine Gun - 7.7x58mm Arisaka
A Japanese machine gunner fires his Type 99 Light Machine Gun from a camouflaged defensive position.
Corporal Michiharu Wake fires his Type 99 into the air in an attempt to spook the Australian defenders.
Corporal Wake firing his Type 99.
Corporal Wake in action with the Type 99.
Close-up of the rear gun barrel.
Corporal Wake firing the Type 99.
Grenades
Mills Bomb
A wounded Pte. Laurie 'Smoky' Howson almost wipes out a Red Cross HQ with a Mills Bomb when he mistakes the flag for a Japanese one.
A wounded and exhausted Pte. Laurie 'Smoky' Howson carries two Mills Bombs on his jacket.
'Smoky' Howson pulls the pin from a Mills Bomb.
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