Page "Kokoda Track campaign" Paragraph 18

Watson then assumed command.

As the track to Kokoda was now cut off, Lance Corporal Sanopa of the PIB led the Australian and Papuan troops, under the cover of darkness, to Deniki by means of a creek below Oivi.

At Deniki, the men joined up with Owen and the rest of ' B ' Company and on the morning of 27 July, Owen — with the remnants of the Militia company and a handful of troops of the PIB, who had had little food or rest for the previous three days and knowing he would be facing some 500 Japanese marines — decided to attempt a defence of the Kokoda airstrip and hope that reinforcements would arrive in time to support him.

Leaving around 40 troops at Deniki, he took the remaining 77 and was deployed in Kokoda by midday on 28 July.

Owen then contacted Port Moresby by radio to request reinforcements.

Shortly afterward, two Douglas transports arrived overhead, carrying reinforcements from the 39th Battalion ; however, after circling the airfield, they eventually returned to Port Moresby without landing.