Myola is a locality on the

Kokoda Track The Kokoda Track or Trail is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs overland – in a straight line – through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The track was the location of the 1942 World War II battle between Japanese ...

in the Territory of Papua and the modern state of New Guinea. It is one of two closely located dry lake beds located near where the Kokoda Track crosses the crest of the

Owen Stanley Range Owen Stanley Range is the south-eastern part of the central mountain-chain in Papua New Guinea. Its highest point is Mount Victoria at , while its most prominent peak is Mount Suckling. History Owen Stanley Range was seen in 1849 by Captain Owe ...

– also known as "the Gap" or "the Kokoda Gap". Myola, the smaller of the two lake beds, was located and named by Lieutenant Bert Kienzle on 3 August 1943. It became a major resupply point and drop zone for Australian forces during the Kokoda Track campaign. Kienzle then cut a track toward Eora Creek which rejoined the original track at

Templeton's Crossing Templeton's Crossing is a locality on the Kokoda Track in New Guinea. The original track, at the start of the Kokoda Track campaign, proceeded north from Kagi and crossed over the Drainage divide, watershed of the Owen Stanley Range as it passe ...

, which he also named. Myola was named (there being no local name) for the wife of his friend and commanding officer, Major Sydney Elliot-Smith. Myola is an Australian aboriginal word meaning "dawn of day". The second, larger lake bed to the immediate north is referred to as Myola 2, with the smaller lake bed being sometimes known as Myola 1. Myola 2 was developed as the major resupply point as the Australian forces advanced, following the Japanese forces as they withdrew from Ioribaiwa Ridge back toward Kokoda. A strip was developed at Myola 2, being a larger area but it was considered too risky for general use. Major General George Vasey landed at Myola 2 when he relieved Major General Arthur Allen on 28 October 1942.

References

;Notes ;Citations ;Bibliography * * * * * * * {{cite book, last=McCarthy, first=Dudley, title=South-West Pacific Area – First Year, series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army, volume=5, publisher=Australian War Memorial, location=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, year=1959, url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070204/, oclc=3134247 Territory of Papua