16 October 1942

At the Battle of Templeton’s Crossing, fresh Australian troops now probing around Japanese positions. Both sides suffering because of the terrain and the many illnesses the jungle conceals.

Captured enemy documents reveal Japs suffered around 1000 casualties during their advance to Ioirbaiwa. The Australian advance is already showing signs of the devastating impact of illness. To date they have lost 24 officers and 706 other ranks to sickness.

General ‘Tubby’ Allen is convinced his commander General Blamey doesn't understand the problems faced by the Diggers as they try to push the enemy back along the Track. He tells Blamey “this country is much tougher than any other previous theatre”.