30 November 1942

Another difficult day at Gona as the Diggers press their attacks from the west against the Jap defences. The 2/27^th Bn launches an assault at first light but their advance is checked by withering fire 80 metres short of the target.

2/14^th is also heavily engaged, led from the front by Capt Stan Bisset, and makes contact with 2/16^th and 2/27^th from the creek side.

The 3^rd and 2/33^rd Battalions also attack from the north on both sides of the main track and breach the Jap defences before falling back to the edge of the jungle.

The Australians lose another 13 kia and 32 seriously wounded during the attacks.

29 November 1942

A disastrous day for the Australians attacking at Gona as the 2/14^th Battalion and 2/27^th take the brunt of the casualties in vicious close-quarter fighting along the beach area.

Under orders from HQ to start the attacks, even before the arrival all the 21^st Brigade battalions, the Diggers are forced to expose themselves to fire from hidden Japanese bunkers as they assault them. Enemy machine gunners take a heavy toll on the attackers with 37 Diggers killed in action on the day and any more wounded.

Among the dead is the 2/14^th’s beloved Capt Maurice ‘Mocca” Treacy, one of the heroes of the battalion’s Middle East and Papuan campaigns.

28 November 1942

Fighting flares again at Gona as Australian reinforcements arrive from 21^st Brigade - the men who had first opposed the Japanese advance in July.

In confused actions the Australians attack, following inaccurate reports that the approaches were clear. A patrol from 2/14 Bn, led by Lt Bob Dougherty, advanced through waist-deep fetid swamp. Another led by Capt Alan McGavin stumbled on to heavily camouflaged and fortified Jap bunkers.

McGavin was killed by a sniper. Sgt Jim Coy killed the sniper and then, under heavy fire, crawled forward and silenced two machine gun posts with grenades. He was later awarded the Military Medal for bravery. Pte Bill Gaskell also later won the MM for his brave rescue of many wounded.

Fourteen Australians die on the day.

27 November 1942

A relatively quiet day at the battle for Gona as both sides lick their wounds. The Australians await the arrival of the remainder of the 21^st Brigade as reinforcements, while the Japanese desperately shore up their fortifications.

Despite the cessation in hostilities, five Diggers are killed in action and two more die of wounds during the day.

26 November 1942

Begins as a quiet day as each side at Gona consolidates. The remainder of the Australian 21^st Brigade are travelling from Moresby and are expected to arrive within a few days.

As the 2/33^rd Battalion awaits the arrival of the reinforcements, they are surprised by a bayonet attack at dusk by an aggressive Jap patrol who pushes out 500 metres on the west side of their position aiming to disrupt the Australian attack.

The attack only leaves light casualties but shakes the Australians sense of security.