22 August 1942

Japanese increase patrolling around Isurava, probing to find the Australian defences.

CO Ralph Honner moves around his young Diggers, building their confidence by his presence and helping them to define their areas of responsibility.

“War is largely a matter of confidence. If the troops have confidence in their mates, their weapons, their leadership, and sufficient confidence in their numbers – in that they’ve got a fair chance and they’re not hopelessly outnumbered – they’ll fight well.  When that confidence goes, then something snaps and the force can be dissipated.”

21 August 1942

Brigadier Arnold Potts arrives at Myola, holds 2/14th there until HQ can resolve their supply problems.

At Isurava, Ralph Honner first hears that 2/14^th will arrive imminently, “all the news seemed good news and courage feeds on hope”. Then he learns that Japs are building up their force to his north. And then he learns that of “grave supply difficulties behind us”. The 2/14^th may be delayed.

“I knew that relief could not come for many days and I was determined never to ask for it. I was equally determined that there should be no more precipitate retreats – that we should ‘stand and fight’ – orders I had heard myself at more than one pass in Greece, including famed Thermopylae.”

20 August 1942

After major problems with their supplies, 2/14^th troops struggle up Track, most carrying loads of more than 30kg, along with their weapons, hoping to reinforce the 39th Bn digging in toe make a stand at Isurava.

But the 2/14th's supply chain has not kept pace with them and Brigadier Arnold Potts is reluctant to send them past Myola until the problem is solved.

At Isurava, the 39th's contact with forward elements of Jap forces begins to increase. It's a race against time to see whether they can hold on long enough for the 2/14th to reach them before the the massive Jap invasion force, consolidating at Gona, readies itself for what it believes will be a 10-day march across the Kokoda Track to capture Moresby. 

The only troops between the invaders and Moresby are the 39th, untried, untested Militia troops, outnumbered at least 10 to one on the ground.

19 August 1942

Six Diggers reach the 39th's Isurava position, making their way through the forward defenders, after having been cut off for more than two weeks.

Bill Hourigan, in the forward listening post at Isurava, comes in to warn that an enemy patrol is on the Track. He bravely returns to his post but is killed almost immediately in a clash wi the Jap patrol. The Diggers push back the patrol. Section leader Len Murrellgoes out under fire and carries back Bill Hourigan's body in his arms.

Padre Nobby Earl comes forward and buries Bill beside the Track.

18 August 1942

The main body of the Japanese South Seas Force lands at Gona. It includes Maj-Gen Horii’s HQ, the remaining battalions of the 144^th and 41^st Regmts with their gun, signals, naval landing and ammunition detachments, at least 700 Rabaul natives and 230 horses.

It brings to more than 13,000 the number of Japanese troops who have landed in Papua, aiming to take 10 days to march over the Kokoda Track and capture Port Moresby. From there, Australia would be at their mercy.

At Isurava, more stragglers from 39^th cut off after Deniki reach the battalion position during the day.