Japanese OOB and Orders Pitoki 30th July 1942

Background Information

Following the defeat of the Australian forces at Kokoda on the 29^th July, the remaining Australian forces have scrambled back towards their rear area lines at Deniki.

Your troops, the Yokoyama Advance Force has been congratulated by Imperial Headquarters at Rabaul and ordered to make ready for the main fighting elements of the South Seas Force that is due to be landed in the coming days.

The Local area commander Lt – Colonel Yokoyama has ordered the reinforced 1^st Company, 1^st Battalion, 144^th regiment to maintain contact with the withdrawing Australians while also establishing a forward patrol base close enough to continue operations against the believed reorganised Australian forces at Deniki.

The rest of the regiment has been ordered to various locations back down the track to continue the work that will make ready for the increasing Japanese forces that will begin the drive on Port Moresby.

At Kokoda After a period of time all 1^st Battalion commanders are assigned their new orders, troops are rested and some reorganisation is undertaken, the first company is now sent towards Deniki

At 7.00am 30^th July 1942, your forces approach a previously unknown village midway along the track between Kokoda and Deniki. This Village because of its locality will make an excellent forward patrol base. The 1^st company commander orders his troops to take Pitoki.

OOB Japanese Forces

The force commander is 2^nd Lieutenant Onogowa commander of the 1^st Company, 1/144^th Bn

1^st Company, I Battalion, 144^th Infantry Regiment (Type B)

1^st Company, I Battalion, 144^th Infantry Regiment HQ - 7 men Veteran/Spirited Reactions

1^st Company, I Battalion, 144^th - Infantry Regiment Snipers x 3 Veteran

1^st Rifle Platoon, 1/I/144^th 52 men + 2 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

2^nd Rifle Platoon, 1/I/144^th 52 men + 2 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

3^rd Rifle Platoon, 1/I/144^th 52 men + 2 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

Each rifle platoon consisting - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

3 x Section of 1 x LMG, 2 x NCO, 8 x Soldiers

1 x Section of three Knee Mortars, 2 x NCO, 6 x loaders/riflemen

Support Elements I/144^th Regiment

1 x Observer team attached to 2 x 81mm Mortars located at Kokoda

3 x HMG from I/144^th Battalion HMG Company

Support Elements A Section 55^th Mountain battery

1 x Observer team attached to 2  x75mm Mountain Howitzers located at Kokoda

Battle field Conditions

The Pitoki attack occurs at 7.00am in the morning the weather conditions are fine, there is no mist, no rain.

Your Forces orders are

1st Company 1/144th: Establishment of a forward Patrol base (FPB) with forward patrols to maintain contact with Australian forces. Company HQ and HMGs established at camp. Snipers attached to each platoon: platoon patrol Schedule: (summary, 1 platoon at base, 1 platoon on patrol and 1 platoon on ambush during day and night)

FPB to consist of 1 Platoon, CHQ, 3x HMG and the FOOs for the 75mm mountain guns at all times

Mortar Company: 2x 81MM Mortar and crew deployed at Kokoda, 2x 81mm Mortar’s