11 September 1942

Diggers now back at Ioribaiwa Ridge, setting up defensive positions on the forward slope, preparing for a final stand about 60km out from Port Moresby.

In a superhuman effort the Japanese invaders have broken down their mountain artillery into man-sized pieces and carried them with them down the Track. They assemble them at Ioribaiwa Ridge and start firing on the Australians across the valley.

With almost every shot the Australians suffer casualties.

But the Japanese are becoming increasingly desperate as casualties and illness deplete their numbers, they run short of food and ammunition and their supply lines are stretched to breaking point.

10 September 1942

The Diggers start arriving at Naoro Village on the way to Ioribaiwa after the vicious battle of Brigade Hill.

Many Diggers remain adrift in the jungle and the wounded are either struggling back down the Track on foot or being carried by the remarkable Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, usually six to eight for each stretcher case.

One 2/16^th Digger, shot in the thigh at Brigade Hill and unable to walk, is left with four other wounded in a hidden clearing well off the Track as his fit mates are forced to return to the fighting. It will take 30 days – without any medication and almost no food – before he reaches hospital in Moresby.

9 September 1942

After Brigade Hill the Diggers set up a series of ambushes as they withdraw down Track. They maintain their discipline and spring the ambushes as the Jap troops pursue them with each ambush setting up a killing ground, springing the trap and taking a havy toll on the invaders, then dropping back through the next pre-set ambush site.

The ambushes deny the Japs access to the Track as the Australians continue to keep themselves between the invaders and Port Moresby.

The Australians lose 87 killed and 77 wounded during Battle for Brigade Hill. Many wounded Diggers have to be left in jungle as their mates can’t carry them and fight.

8 September 1942

The Battle for Brigade Hill is raging. During the night the Japanese edged around the Australian positions via a steep river valley and suddenly drove a wedge cutting off the Australian Brigade HQ from the three forward battalions.

The Australians start a counter attack trying to dislodge the Japanese and force a way through to their HQ. In fierce fighting many lose their lives in a gallant but futile attempt. Many of the heroes of Isurava lose their lives, including Charlie McCallum, Claude Nye and 'Lefty' Langridge.

More than half the heavy Australian casualties are caused by Japanese mortar and artillery fire. The Diggers begin to call the position Butcher's Hill.

As the Japanese numbers threaten to overwhelm their forward position, the 2/27th Battalion falls back through the 2/14th's lines and then all three Australian battalions fight their way through the encirclement using a pre-arranged side track.

7 August 1942

At first light Japs attack 2/27 Bn on forward slopes at Brigade Hill, bombarding them with mortar and mountain gun fire and trying to outflank them. For the first time in the campaign the Australians received brief air support when eight Boston bombers and four Kittyhawks bombed and strafed the Japanese position.

But the jungle protected the Japs and they resumed their attacks immediately and the Australians fought back grimly as the enemy numbers began to take a heavy toll.

By evening all Australian positions are under heavy pressure as more than 2000 Japanese troops attack relentlessly.