A concrete monument with inscription and bronze plaque commemorating Australian soldiers and the help given to them by the local people.

The battles of Gona, Buna and Sanananda were a major part of the Pacific campaign of the Second World War. In November 1942, Australian and United States forces attacked the Japanese occupying strongholds in these areas. American troops were to attack Buna from the south east, the Australian troops were to attack the positions at Gona with combined forces to attack Sanananda. The Allies had grossly underestimated the strength of the Japanese force and overestimated their own capacity to continue fighting. Casualties were high.

On 18 November Australian troops, exhausted from having pushed the Japanese back across the Kokoda Trail, were sent to Gona. The company ran into the Japanese defences, and became involved in an intense battle. Tropical diseases, rain, mud and supply difficulties impaired both sides but the Japanese positions were well-prepared and heavily defended and after several attempts the Australians had made little progress and suffered heavy losses. By 23 November it was obvious that capturing Gona was unlikely due to lack of troops and insufficient tank and artillery support. Forced to retreat and wait for fresh supplies and reinforcements, the Australians finally captured Gona village on 1 December and the Japanese withdrew to Gona Mission. The plan of 1 December was repeated on 6 December, this attack failed, but the fighting had dramatically weakened the Japanese garrison. The decisive attack came on 8 December when the Australians finally cleared the defenders out of Gona. Organised resistance was effectively over, but hand-to-hand fighting continued in Gona until 9 December.

The Australians lost 750 men dead, wounded and missing. It was the single most costly battle for Australians in 'the islands'.

The plaque on the monument was arranged by Dr Ross Bastiaan.

Gona, Papua New Guinea.

Gona is on the east coast, on the Oro Bay Hwy to Holnicote Bay.