Following a successful fighting withdrawal by Australian forces that
prevented the Japanese from capturing Port Moresby, Japanese forces
reached the limit of their supply lines and were thus forced to assume
a defensive posture. Despite very slow progress, the Australian 25th
Brigade, 7th Division was able to secure Kokoda along with the nearby
airport on November 2, which greatly facilitated resupply and evacuation.
Pausing briefly for air drops, the Aussies advanced north towards Pirivi
before striking east towards Oivi. Out of the mountains, and amidst
the heat of the more open lowland countryside, the advance was slow.
Nevertheless, the men of the 7th Division pushed forward along the
narrower north–south track that ran between Kokoda and Sanananda
until they were halted around Oivi by a firmly entrenched Japanese force.
