The 39th Battalion's baptism of fire at Gona came in the form of yet another attack on the southern perimeter between Gona Creek and the Goan-Kokoda Track. Supported by a smoke barrage laid down by 3" mortars, the attack jumped off at dawn with Captain Bidstrup's D Company in the van. Platoons sixteen and seventeen flung themselves across a fifty yard wide killing ground, unable to identify Japanese positions due to the smoke. Private A.J. Skilbeck was awarded a Military Medal for his courage during the fight. As a runner, Skilbeck crossed the deadly open-ground four times to ferry the wounded and bring back information to Captain Bidstrup's HQ, located on the edge of the kunai.
