Monday, October 1, 2012 at 1:21PM The tide has turned against the Japanese. Now they are under artillery fire at Ioribaiwa, from the 25 pounders of the 14th Regiment stationed at Owers’ Corner. They begin the take a steady toll on the Japanese as they cling to their positions on Ioribaiwa Ridge.
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 1:19PM The Japanese logistics problems reach crisis point. The Allied air forces operating out of Moresby now concentrate on disrupting or destroying the Japanese supply lines from the beachheads.
One of their key targets is the suspension bridge over the Kumusi River at Wairopi, which is constantly attacked. Each time it is destroyed, Japanese engineers quickly rebuild it.
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 1:19PM The Japanese logistics problems had reached crisis point. The Allied air forces operating out of Moresby now concentrate on disrupting or destroying the Japanese supply lines.
One of the key targets is the suspension bridge over the Kumusi River at Wairopi, which is constantly attacked. Each time it is destroyed, Japanese engineers quickly rebuild it.
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 1:18PM The severely-depleted 39th Battalion receives reinforcements in Moresby, many from NSW and Queensland, diluting the proud Victorian unit’s original heritage.
The battalion is ordered to Base Area and fully equipped and armed once again. It is placed under the command of the 7th Division and ordered to patrol areas to the north of Moresby to prevent any enemy infiltration.
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 1:17PM As the Diggers prepare to make last stand at Imita Ridge, the Japanese, now taking up positions opposite them on Ioribaiwa Ridge, receive orders to withdraw. Having no word in their army lexicon for retreat, they are ordered to “advance to the rear!”
It was a shattering disappointment to the Japanese soldiers, who, at night, could see the lights of Moresby, about five days march away.
The Japanese had suffered at least 1000 casualties, including battle deaths and sickness and many of the remaining troops were close to starvation and exhausted as their supply lines had broken.