16 September 1942

The constant bombardment by the Japanese mountain gun, mortars and heavy machine guns at Iroibaiwa starts to take a mental toll on the Australians and some in the forward positions have to be moved out for a rest. Many seasoned veterans have shattered nerves caused by the unrelenting stress and the mounting casualties around them.

The desperate Japanese attacks on the Australians' flanks increase in intensity during the day and eventually the defenders are forced to withdraw back to Imita Ridge, the next major ridgeline down the Track. There other Australian units have already set up defensive positions.

The 2/14th Battalion, now a shadow of the proud unit that moved up the Track six weeks earlier, is withdrawn from the line and heads back to Uberi.

15 September 1942

Australians now holding Ioribaiwa for fifth day as Jap numbers build up and they redouble their efforts to find the Diggers' flanks and try their normal tactic of encircling them.

The invaders added mortars and heavy machine guns to their mountain artiller piece and the Australians suffer significant casualies. The 2/14th Battalion's HQ comes under consistent fire and the unit loses seven dead and 19 wounded, with an additional 17 evacuated due to illness.

Australian patrolling keeps Japs off balance and denies them access to the Australian flanks.

14 September 1942

Many Australian wounded still adrift in jungle after Brigade Hill battle. Some being brought into Australian lines by Fuzzy Wuzzy stretcher bearers, Others lie unattended until they can be rescued by the Australians once they begin their advance agains the Japanese some weeks ahead.

One of the heroes of Isurava, Teddy Bear, wounded in the battle there and only able to walk backwards, moves back down the Track in a bizarre dance with a mate who can only walk when supported. They 'waltz' ino the Ausralian lines after more than 10 days struggling down the Track.

13 Sepember 1942

Australians reinforced at Ioribaiwa and keep Japanese guessing by patrolling heavily. Australian patrols take heavy toll of Japanese, who, by now, are in weakened state because of lack of food supplies. Japs also struggling to move forward ammunition and are hampered by their wounded, which they have brought forward with them in anticipation of treating them in Moresby once they have reached their goal.

12 September 1942

At Ioribaiwa Ridge Diggers again come under Jap mountain gun fire on exposed position and suffer consistent casualies.

Australians keep the Japs guessing by patrolling heavily. One patrol of 2/14 Bn springs ambush and inflicts 30 casualties without loss. Japs probing to find the extent of the Australian position, aiming to outflank and encircle. But they misjudge the width of the Australian defences.

The 3rd Battalion moves forward to join the Australians. It will go on to spend more time on the Track than any other Australian unit.