AUSTRALIAN ADVANCE BEGINS - 28 September 1942

The Australian advance from Imita was initiated by the 25th Brigade under the command of Brigadier Ken Eather on the 28th September 1942. The 25th Brigade moved forward from Imita Ridge to find the Japanese had withdrawn from their positions on Ioribaiwa Ridge.

The succeeding pursuit of the retreating Japanese was slow and cautious, over the next two weeks the Brigade continued to advance forward and had little contact with them.

The perusing Australian forces had no way of knowing that the Japanese 17th Army Commander in Rabaul had initiated the orders to retreat and had ordered General Horri to withdrawal back as far as Templeton’s Crossing.

The pursuing Australians tentatively moved forward expecting an ambush at every bend in the track. A slow and tedious journey back along the Kokoda track was now taking place.