The Japanese main force continued to withdrawal towards Templeton’s Crossing. In an effort to slow the pursuit and to enable some rear guard defence, General Horri raised a new unit from within his forces. This unit was called the Stanley Detachment and consisted of approximately six hundred men.
The Stanley Detachment was tasked with blocking the advancing enemy. The intent was to slow and stall the advance so the main force could prepare defensive positions at Templeton’s crossing.
The Australians caught up with the Japanese in the vicinity of Mt Bellamy (between Kagi and Templeton’s Crossing.
From the Kagi / Naduri locality and through the moss forest and Myola area there are two actual tracks with numerous small deviations that end up merging and pushing north over Mt Bellamy to Templeton’s Crossing. Stanley Detachment was to ambush and hinder the Australians on both major routes through this locality; therefore, blocking the advance and gaining time for the defenders at Templeton’s Crossing.
On the 12th October the three Battalions of the 25th Brigade attacked the Stanley Detachment Initially they were unable to make any progress, it was not until the Australians threatened to outflank the Stanley Detachment and cut them off from Templeton’s Crossing that success was forthcoming.
On the morning of the 15th of October the Australian forward troops found the Japanese resistance had ceased and the Stanley Detachment had fallen back to Templeton’s Crossing.
The Stanley Detachment was tasked with blocking the advancing enemy. The intent was to slow and stall the advance so the main force could prepare defensive positions at Templeton’s crossing.
The Australians caught up with the Japanese in the vicinity of Mt Bellamy (between Kagi and Templeton’s Crossing.
From the Kagi / Naduri locality and through the moss forest and Myola area there are two actual tracks with numerous small deviations that end up merging and pushing north over Mt Bellamy to Templeton’s Crossing. Stanley Detachment was to ambush and hinder the Australians on both major routes through this locality; therefore, blocking the advance and gaining time for the defenders at Templeton’s Crossing.
On the 12th October the three Battalions of the 25th Brigade attacked the Stanley Detachment Initially they were unable to make any progress, it was not until the Australians threatened to outflank the Stanley Detachment and cut them off from Templeton’s Crossing that success was forthcoming.
On the morning of the 15th of October the Australian forward troops found the Japanese resistance had ceased and the Stanley Detachment had fallen back to Templeton’s Crossing.
