Battle of Slater's Knoll - Prelude

Prelude

The Australian 25th Battalion—under Lieutenant Colonel John McKinna—subsequently carried out an amphibious landing at Toko and advanced northeast from there along the west bank of the Puriata, towards the Buin Road. Meanwhile, further to the east, the 9th Battalion advanced from Mawaraka towards Mosigetta, and the 61st Battalion also proceeded towards there, setting off from the junction of the Jaba and Pagana Rivers while the 2/8th Commando Squadron provided flank security further to the east.

On 4 March, a company from the 25th Battalion crossed the Puriata River southward—at the point where the Buin Road crossed—on a north-facing bend, later known as Galvin's Crossing. The following day the Japanese were forced off a small knoll close to the river and the road, about 1 km (0.62 mi) south of the crossing. On 6 March, Japanese shelling of the knoll wounded an Australian, Private Carl R. Slater, who held his post until relieved. The only casualty during this period, the knoll was named after him as a result. The 25th Battalion continued to expand its perimeter, to the north and south, along the Buin Road, while the 9th moved west from Mosigetta to link up with them and the 61st skirted east around Makapeka.

Although the Japanese sporadically shelled the knoll during March, there were no further Australian casualties. The 25th Battalion sent out patrols every day, and on 9 March, one of these reported having killed 10 Japanese soldiers without loss to itself. The Japanese also began making dawn attacks, in which light machine gunners would approach by stealth, set up and fire on the Australian positions, then retire to their own lines, 250 yd (230 m) away. As the advance was halted, the Australians began to expect a major attack in the area of the knoll.

The Japanese launched a number of attacks on the Australians between 15 and 17 March. Under fire from three sides and in danger of being enveloped, on 19 March the Australians launched an attack of their own along the Buin Road, and although they had some success in clearing the forward Japanese positions, they then encountered a system of pillboxes and trenches which the 25th Battalion's commander, McKinna, decided to attack. This attack was ultimately beaten off by the defenders with the loss of eight Australians killed and 14 wounded. A second attack was launched on 22 March. Supported by heavy artillery, mortar and machine gun support, it proved successful. During this attack, Reginald Rattey performed the actions that earned him the Victoria Cross.

As the Australians began to prepare for the next stage of the offensive, important intelligence confirmed that the Japanese were planning a large-scale counterattack in the area.