Alongside the 2/6th Independent Company and the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions, the 3rd Battalion helped hold the village for four days before falling back to Imita Ridge on 17 September. Soon after the Japanese, having reached the limit of their supply lines, began to withdraw and the 3rd Battalion subsequently participated in the advance back up the Kokoda Trail, carrying out patrolling operations as they re-occupied numerous villages that had been lost earlier in the campaign.
The Australian forces held the village for four days before retreating to Imita Ridge on September 17th, after which they participated in the advance back up the Kokoda Trail, carrying out patrols and re-occupying villages that had been lost earlier in the campaign.