21 February 1942

Amazingly, now 125 men from 53^rd Battalion being used for labouring and picquet duties in Moresby, seriously damaging the unit’s morale.

Both other militia garrison units, 39^th and 49^th Battalions, are also being used for building defences, especially around the town’s airstrip. Moresby’s High Command is fixated in their view that Moresby will be the direct target of any invasion.