 Organised into three half-strength companies, the following day the battalion began the 32-kilometre (20 mi) march towards Gona. On 29 November, the 2 / 14th attacked along the coast to the east of Gona. The Japanese positions were well-concealed and amidst strong resistance the 2 / 14th suffered heavy casualties, losing 13 killed and 23 wounded. Early in the morning on 30 November the battalion lost another three killed before it launched a well-planned deliberate attack on the remaining Japanese fortified position. For only two minor casualties, the 2 / 14th forced the Japanese defenders to abandon their positions and managed to break through to the beach, securing about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) along the coast.
