The key to Japan's internally disputed, over-ambitious plan to invade Australia was to isolate us from the United States and help prevent its advance through the South West Pacific. But after Japanese defeats in the battles for the Coral Sea and Midway, their diminished capacity saw them focus on Australia to help hamper the Allied advance. The Kokoda Campaign prevented them taking Port Moresby, turning the tide of the war in the region. Of the many engagements involving Australian forces, The Battle of Shaggy Ridge was one of the toughest. Taking place in the rugged Finisterre Range, it effectively cut off the then-retreating but strongly resisting Japanese. The fiercest of many battles was fought on Shaggy Ridge itself, part of the area called the ‘Pimple’, because of its many rocky outcrops across near-vertical slopes. The mammoth task of dealing with the enemy was complicated by the terrain, which was lethal in itself with its perilous footway just wide enough for one soldier at a time, at supreme risk of a precipitous fall before even encountering the foe. Despite these onerous conditions, Aussie troops displayed their characteristic courage, fortitude and larrikin mateship through prolonged hand-to-hand combat and eventually prevailed over the fanatical, proficient Japanese. These heroic qualities overcame their inexperience and hurried training, making the Battle of Shaggy Ridge instrumental in defeating the Axis. The capture of Shaggy Ridge cost the 18th Brigade 46 lives and 147 wounded while inflicting some 500 casualties on the Japanese, including 244 confirmed deaths. The Bradford Mint is especially proud to commemorate the Battle of Shaggy Ridge in the 80th anniversary of this landmark battle for our nation's freedom with this exclusive proof quality coin. Exquisitely crafted to the highest numismatic standards, it shows Aussie troops engaging the enemy on the treacherous terrain, during Operation Cutthroat (the Battle's code-name). A quotation from Sergeant Geoffrey Love says it all: "Tobruk was a picnic when compared with the battalion's experience at Shaggy Ridge." Long may we revere and remember them. BATTLE OF SHAGGY RIDGE SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN Call one of our Senior Executives now on +612 9841 3324