16 September 1942
Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 3:42PM The constant bombardment by the Japanese mountain gun, mortars and heavy machine guns at Iroibaiwa starts to take a mental toll on the Australians and some in the forward positions have to be moved out for a rest. Many seasoned veterans have shattered nerves caused by the unrelenting stress and the mounting casualties around them.
The desperate Japanese attacks on the Australians' flanks increase in intensity during the day and eventually the defenders are forced to withdraw back to Imita Ridge, the next major ridgeline down the Track. There other Australian units have already set up defensive positions.
The 2/14th Battalion, now a shadow of the proud unit that moved up the Track six weeks earlier, is withdrawn from the line and heads back to Uberi.
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