3 July 1942

Capt Sam Templeton, commander of B Coy 39^th, starts a recce of the first stage of the Track to Uberi, checking the condition of the Track and planning staging positions for their march to Kokoda.

His troops remain at McDonald's Corner at the start of the Track, waiting for their supplies to reach them so they can head up the Track to Kokoda to protect the airfield there.

Meanwhile, the Japanese15th Independent Engineer Regiment arrives at Rabaul to join the Nankai Shitai (The South Seas Force) to prepare for their invasion of New Guinea.

2 July 1942

Capt Bert Kienzle begins creation of 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' carrier system along Kokoda Track. He's surprised to find Sam Templeton and his Diggers at the start of the Kokoda Track, still waiting for their supplies.

He's confronted with about 600 natives, living in miserable conditions, with many already sick and bewildered at their fate. He combines with the legendary 'Doc" Vernon, a WWI Medical Officer and they begin organising them and reassuring their charges.

1 July 1942

Former planter Bert Keinzle given command of native carriers and stretcher bearers under ANGAU control. The official birth of famous ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’.

30 June 1942

Sam Templeton's young Diggers spend their 6^th day stuck at the start of the Track, waiting for their supplies.

Meanwhile, many of the original Militia battalion officers are found to be unfit for tropical service and being 'boarded' back to Australia, their places taken by AIF officers back from the Middle East.

29 June 1942

New AIF officers posted to the Militia battalions in Moresby start training their new charges, prompting initial resentment and revealing the rift between the two sides of the Army, which had its genesis as far back as the conscription issue in WWI.

The new officers are instructed to request their troops to join the AIF but receive a muted response. Unknown to them, many militia troops had previously been knocked back when they had earlier applied to join the AIF, at a time when the AIF had no need of further numbers.

The AIF-Militia resentment would continue until both sides fought side by side in action later in the campaign.