26 September 1942

Patrols from the 2/31^st Battalion begin recconnoitreing a path so the battalion can attack the enemy’s right flank at Ioribaiwa the following day.

25 September 1942

Australian patrols fail to find any enemy around the flanks of Ioribaiwa but hear sporadic mortar and automatic weapon fire in the vicinity.

24 September 1942

The Australians begin aggressive patrolling from Imita Ridge, clashing with the 3^rd Battalion of the Japanese 144^th Regiment, who, unknown to the Diggers, are protecting the Japanese withdrawal.

23 September 1942

Maroubra Force, opposing the Japanese on the Track, now comprises the fresh 25^th Brigade, wearing ‘jungle green’ shirts and pants and US gaiters. They are now stronger in numbers and better equipped than any time during the campaign.

22 September 1942

The Japanese position throughout the Pacific is beginning to turn against them: the fighting at Guadalcanal is taking a deadly toll; the Australian defeat of their amphibious landing at Milne Bay ends their plans for an overland advance on Moresby; and the beachheads are under increasing attack from Allied bombers.