German ranks

[wulfir]

Here's an interesting piece regarding the initial fighting between the Japanese and Australians along the Kokoda track:

"The Japanese were easily able to push the Australians back: their numbers were far superior, as was their drill.

They would often send a scout forward and be prepared to lose him, which would be followed by an almost immediate strong frontal attack, in which quick casualties were often accepted. But the speed with which they then outflanked and encircled and destroyed the enemy reflected their light equipment, their excellent camouflage and, above all, their tremendous and almost silent deployment."

from A Bastard of a Place: The Australians in Papua, p 100.