On the 31st of August 1942, the Australian forces withdrew from the Alola area and deployed to the south side of the village of Eora that was situated on the fast flowing Eora Creek.
Lieutenant Colonel Key, whom was the Commanding Officer of the 2/14th Battalion was missing in action at this time (the member had been captured at Isurava and was subsequently killed by the Japanese); therefore, Lieutenant Colonel Caro Commanding Officer of the 2/16th Battalion was in command of the combined forces. The Australians dug in as best they could and prepared to face the Japanese once again.
After dark on the 31st the Japanese successfully traversed the creek and attacked the Australian positions. The Japanese attacks were intensifying and by dawn on the 1st of September it seemed likely that the Japanese would outflank the defending Australians.
It was therefore decided to continue to withdrawal until contact with the Japanese was broken, this was successfully achieved and by 2nd of September the Australian rear guard was in the vicinity of Templeton’s Crossing.
“The Withdrawal to Eora Creek marked the last action on the Kokoda Track of the 39th Battalion. The remnants of this valiant unit had gone back to Eora Creek from the Isurava Rest House area with orders to assemble there before returning to Port Moresby. Now while the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions moved through to take up defensive positions above the village, Captain Merritt and his composite company of the 39th Battalion held the covering position. The significance of this historic occasion was not lost on Captain Merritt’s men. For the first time, elements of a Militia Unit covered the withdrawal of the proud AIF” Kokoda and Beyond (Victor Austen)
Lieutenant Colonel Key, whom was the Commanding Officer of the 2/14th Battalion was missing in action at this time (the member had been captured at Isurava and was subsequently killed by the Japanese); therefore, Lieutenant Colonel Caro Commanding Officer of the 2/16th Battalion was in command of the combined forces. The Australians dug in as best they could and prepared to face the Japanese once again.
After dark on the 31st the Japanese successfully traversed the creek and attacked the Australian positions. The Japanese attacks were intensifying and by dawn on the 1st of September it seemed likely that the Japanese would outflank the defending Australians.
It was therefore decided to continue to withdrawal until contact with the Japanese was broken, this was successfully achieved and by 2nd of September the Australian rear guard was in the vicinity of Templeton’s Crossing.
“The Withdrawal to Eora Creek marked the last action on the Kokoda Track of the 39th Battalion. The remnants of this valiant unit had gone back to Eora Creek from the Isurava Rest House area with orders to assemble there before returning to Port Moresby. Now while the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions moved through to take up defensive positions above the village, Captain Merritt and his composite company of the 39th Battalion held the covering position. The significance of this historic occasion was not lost on Captain Merritt’s men. For the first time, elements of a Militia Unit covered the withdrawal of the proud AIF” Kokoda and Beyond (Victor Austen)
