14 February 1942

Great activity as civilians are evacuated from Kokoda and the northern areas of Papua by air from Kokoda airstrip as Moresby receives official reports that Singapore has fallen.

A huge pall falls over the garrison troops as they realize thousands of their comrades from the AIF’s 8^th Division are now dead or prisoners of war.

The Diggers in Moresby are informed that the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) is being formed from local police and patrol officers to assist in the defence of the country.