Mountain trail that streaches from Kapa Kapa village on the south coast of New Guinea, across the Owen Stanley Range. Also known as the Kapa Kap - Jaure Track.  This track was parallel, but thirty miles southeast of the Kokoda Trail.

An alternate route from Abau - Namudi - Jaure was considered but never used. Another arm of advance was by the Australian Infantry Brigade, fresh from victory at Milne Bay, would sweep the north coast of the island and meet the U.S. 128th Infantry, airlifted from Port Moresby, at Wanigela. The two units would then cross Cape Nelson and stage at Embogo for the assault on enemy lines less than ten miles away.

Kapa Kapa (Gabagaba)
Coastal village south-east of Port Moresby.  Start of the Kapa Kapa Trail used by the US Army. Kapa Kapa could be supplied by road and coastal steamers. A jeep track extended 14 miles inland at this location. The 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion departed from Port Moresby and began from Kapa Kapa on October 6, 1942. They were expected to march two miles per day.

Karekodobu (Karekodobu, Kalikodobu)
Kalikodobu was the wartime spelling. Known as 'Kalamazoo' by Americans as the local name was hard to pronounce. The trail from Kapa Kapa lead by a rough road to this location. US Army Major Baetcke commanded at this location. The 32nd Division CP was established at this location in early October.

From this location, on October 14, 900 troops of the 126th Inf Reg, 114th engineer battalion and 19th portable hospital began walking the trail commanded by Lt. Col. Henry A Geerds, assisted by several hundered natives. These forces would be the only Americans to cross the Owen Stanley Mountains by foot.

Nepeana
End of the rough road, roughly 14 miles from Kapa Kapa. 126th Infantry, E Company was based here in early October, 1942. Troops marching the trail reached here on the first day. General Harding reached Nepeana to see them off, and ordered packs lightened and less ammunition carried.

Arapara
US Army supply dump, 30 miles from 'Kalamazoo' for the Kapa Kapa trail, four days march away. Native carries deserted, leaving the troops to carry their own gear.

Laruni
Mountain top village, furthest point where supplies from Karekodobu would reach. Advance American forces established an air dropping ground at this location.

Mount Suwemalla "Ghost Mountain"
A few days march out of Laruni, 2,000' higher than the gap, more difficult country than the Kokoda trail, US Army Captain Schultz reported how narrow the trail was: "Even a jack rabbit couldn't leave it.", forcing troops to march single file.

Jaure (Taure, Iaure)
9° 16' 60S 148° 9' 0E (Oro Province)

US Army forces reached this village between October 20-28th. Lt. Col. Henry A Geerds sufffered a heart attack on the trail and was evacuated to Port Moresby. Major Herbert Smith (supply liason officer) took over as Battalion commander.

Here, the trail crossed the headwaters of the Kumusi River at Jaure and then split into two trails: one across the Japanese supply lines at Waropi and the other further east towards Buna. US Army Captain Boice reached this village on October 4, 1942. Later, the 126 Infantry Regiment arrived after a difficult walk on October 20th.

Natunga
Northeast of Jaure, leading to the Buna area.

Bufo
Northeast of Jaure, leading to the Buna area.

Kovio
Dropping ground

Barumbila
Advance post, ten miles south of Wairopi.