About this episode

The episode discusses the crucial role of Doc Vernon in supporting the native carriers during the Kokoda Campaign.

One of the defining features of the Kokoda Campaign was undoubtedly the native carriers who carried supplies forward and wounded men back. Much is made of their contribution, and rightly so, but without the efforts of Doc Vernon to improve conditions and care of the carrier force it is debatable whether they could or would have carried on their efforts. Not only did Doc take care of the carriers, but when he became aware that the 39th Militia Battalion would be facing the Japanese onslaught at Kokoda Village, he immediately went forward and offered his services to the Commander of the 39th, a man he would soon be operating on under lamplight while under Japanese fire. https://www.australianmilitaryhistorypodcast.com/ https://www.patreon.com/c/u46029761?view_as=patron&vanity=u46029761 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Warwick O'Neill

Topics covered

• Kokoda Campaign
• military history
• medical care
• native carriers
• World War II

Keywords

• Doc Vernon
• Kokoda Campaign
• 39th Militia Battalion
• native carriers
• medical care

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: 39th Militia Battalion

Places: Kokoda Village

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