It was at this stage that Brigadier Potts considered his position. His Brigade was severely depleted. They had been active in nearly a week of constant fighting at a level that had ensured that during that time most of them had been unable even to brew a mug of tea for them selves and had certainly not had a hot meal. Now without shelter their feet pulpy and shrivelled from the constant wet, and with bodies soaked by continuous rain.
They were worn out by fighting in a country where movement alone for even unencumbered men was a hardship. They were burdened by their equipment, their own wounded (desertions by carriers aggravated that difficulty) and constant supply problems.
Brigadier Potts felt that he could not hold any position for long unless he was heavily reinforced and until the Japanese lines of communication and supply were as similarly extended as the Australian lines of supply were at present.
Brigadier Potts informed Major General Tubby Allen this (Commander of 7th Australian Division) and informed him of his intention to withdraw to Templeton's Crossing. He felt that he must soon establish a firm base from which he could defend and hold, and considered that a position half-way between Myola and Efogi was the most suitable.
At dawn on the 2nd of September the move to Templeton's Crossing began. By 8am the 2/16th was settling one hour's march north of Templeton's Crossing and the 2/14th was one hour further forward and in close proximity to Templeton’s Crossing. The Japanese were still in constant contact with the rearguard, with skirmishes and probing still prominent.
They were worn out by fighting in a country where movement alone for even unencumbered men was a hardship. They were burdened by their equipment, their own wounded (desertions by carriers aggravated that difficulty) and constant supply problems.
Brigadier Potts felt that he could not hold any position for long unless he was heavily reinforced and until the Japanese lines of communication and supply were as similarly extended as the Australian lines of supply were at present.
Brigadier Potts informed Major General Tubby Allen this (Commander of 7th Australian Division) and informed him of his intention to withdraw to Templeton's Crossing. He felt that he must soon establish a firm base from which he could defend and hold, and considered that a position half-way between Myola and Efogi was the most suitable.
At dawn on the 2nd of September the move to Templeton's Crossing began. By 8am the 2/16th was settling one hour's march north of Templeton's Crossing and the 2/14th was one hour further forward and in close proximity to Templeton’s Crossing. The Japanese were still in constant contact with the rearguard, with skirmishes and probing still prominent.
