21 January 1943

16 Diggers killed in action on what is the effectively the last day of the Sanananda battle. CO of the Aust 2/12 Bn Lt Col Arthur Arnold says: “the whole area, swamps and rivers included, is covered with enemy dead and the stench from which is overpowering. It is definitely the filfthiest area I have ever set eyes upon. In a great many cases the Japanese bodies are fly-blown and others have been reduced to almost skeletons.”

Even, when starving and facing disaster, Pte Kiyoshi Wada is able to write in his diary today: "Dp not lose hope. Do not forget to be grateful. The foundation for all is based upon military spirit. Loyalty is judged by this."