13 August 1942

While the 39th Battalion makes a fighting withdrawal from Deniki to Isurava village further back down the Track, 2/14^th Battalion troops camp at Itiki at the southern end of the Kokoda Track, waiting to start up the Track to reinforce them.

The 2/14^th & 2/16^th Battalions arrived in Moresby the previous day. They are fit and rested after training on the Queensland Sunshine Coast following their service in the Middle East. Many spend the time waiting by sharpening their bayonets to a razor’s edge.