Aftermath First Battle of Eora Creek – Templeton's Crossing

troops 16th brigade cross owen stanleys, october 1942

casualties during engagements amounted 43 killed , 58 wounded japanese out of force of around 1,300, , 21 killed , 54 wounded australians around 710 personnel. author, peter williams, later described battle least-examined engagement of campaign ; occurring after fighting around isurava. williams argues battle has been obscured , highlighting japanese accounts in fact refer second battle of isurava , while contemporary australian press reports largely silent in coverage of it. nevertheless, arguably 1 of main clashes during australian withdrawal , last time during campaign japanese outnumbered australians. japanese force supported 4 artillery pieces , engineer platoon, while australians had single 3-inch mortar indirect fire support.

although withdrawal resulted in loss of supply dump around dry lake @ myola, action successful rearguard action australians, slowness of japanese pursuit contributing this. foodstuffs captured @ myola japanese later found have been contaminated withdrawing australians, rendering them useless. following fighting around eora creek, japanese 41st regiment criticised, particularly members of sister regiment, 144th, , horii, slow rate of advance towards efogi , inability destroy australian force, allowing regroup. 144th subsequently took on pursuit, catching them around efogi. along mission ridge , around brigade hill, australians attempted hold japanese, defeated , forced break track , withdraw through scrub when 144th infantry regiment managed fix forward australian troops along mission ridge, , outflank second line of defence further on brigade hill. potts subsequently relieved of command, being replaced brigadier selwyn porter commander of maroubra force australian withdrawal south along track continued.

further fighting took place around ioribaiwa australians managed fight japanese standstill before withdrawing further imita ridge, established final defensive line last stand. before climactic battle take place though; japanese reached limit of supply line , strategic situation elsewhere in pacific – defeats around milne bay , on guadacanal – resulted in tide shifting towards australians, japanese commander, horii, received orders assume defensive posture rather continuing drive on port moresby. after japanese withdrew ioribaiwa in late september, troops australian 25th brigade, under brigadier kenneth eather, later reinforced brigader john lloyd s 16th brigade, both under major general arthur allen, commander of australian 7th division, began advancing north imita ridge along kokoda track.

on 28 september, australians retook abandoned trenches on ioribaiwa , next 2 weeks, japanese able avoid contact fell towards northwards towards new defensive line. amidst pressure upper echelons of allied high command increase pace of advance northwards in pursuit of withdrawing japanese, in mid-october, australians reached eora creek , templeton s crossing, held stanley detachment of 144th infantry regiment. second battle subsequently fought there between 11 , 28 october.

after war, according crawford, location of battle kept secret local villagers out of respect dead . in 2010, location of battlefield announced brian freeman, former australian commando , tour guide. battle honour awarded australian units after war involvement in engagement: eora creek – templeton s crossing . battle honour, eora creek – templeton s crossing ii awarded second battle fought in area during japanese withdrawal. 39th, 2/14th , 2/16th infantry battalions received first battle honour, while 3rd, 2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd, 2/25th, 2/31st , 2/33rd received second.