Kokoda is a 2010 ABC documentary about the Kokoda 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.
The following weapons were used in the documentary Kokoda:
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.
Arisaka Type 38
The Imperial Japanese Army soldiers in the documentary use the Arisaka Type 38.
Submachine Guns
M1928A1 Thompson
Several Militiamen can be seen carrying and firing the M1928A1 Thompson during the Kokoda Track Campaign.
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M1A1 Thompson
This is not an M1A1 Thompson. I think that is what it is suppossed to be, but the forestock is wrong (it is rounded at the front, possibly damage), the front sight post is too high, the rear sight is just wrong, the bolt handle is that from an M1921/M1928 and not that from an M1 series Thompson. Additionally, the standard M1A1 could not accept drum magazines. I know that there were many different cost cutting measures taken during the production run of the Thompson, and that as a result there were a number of very different but not differently designated Thompsons that were produced, but I do not think that this is the case here. I think that this is a parts gun, and a very bad one at that. It does look basically like a Thompson, but not at all like one if it is examined. Actually, I just looked at it again, it looks like a resin gun, and not a firearm at all.SAWGunner89 18:03, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
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.
Owen Submachine Gun
39th Battalion Militiamen and AIF soldiers carry Owen Submachine Gun's during the Australian counterattack and the battles at the Buna-Gona beachfront.
Machine Guns
Bren Gun
Soldiers from both the 39th Militia Battalion and the AIF carry and operate Bren Gun's on a regular basis during the campaign.
Lewis Gun
Several 39th Battalion soldiers carry a 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 99 Light Machine Gun
Several IJA soldiers, including Corporal Michiharu Wake, carry and operate the Type 99 Light Machine Gun.
Sidearms
Webley Mk VI
A Webley Mk VI is used by Brigadier General Arnold Potts when his HQ is ambushed by Japanese soldiers.
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.