resistance along the Ratsua front resulted in an amphibious landing by a company from the 31st/51st Battalion around Porton Plantation, in an effort to outflank Ratsua. Following a series of mishaps, the company that landed around Porton became heavily engaged, and while efforts were made to evacuate them, the 26th Battalion and the rest of the 31st/51st Battalion attempted to break through from Ratsua. They were unable to penetrate the Japanese lines, however, as they came up against Japanese defenders that were determined to resist because they were unable to withdraw any further along the peninsula. In late June, the 26th Battalion was relieved by the 27th Battalion and sent back to Torokina for rest. Hostilities ceased in August, and the following month the 26th Battalion was sent to Rabaul for garrison duty. In December, Lieutenant Colonel Allan Cameron took command of the battalion. In March 1946, the 26th Battalion returned to Australia. After this, the battalion experienced a high turn-over of personnel, with over 2,500 men passing through the battalion at this time, as men were discharged or transferred to other units. Command of the battalion also changed a couple of times, with Lieutenant Colonel Peter Webster taking over on 22 March, before he handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Eric Barnes. The battalion was finally disbanded on 28 August 1946, but 'A' Company remained in existence as a holding company until 25 September 1946 when the last member marched out. During the course of the battalion's involvement in the war, it lost 40 men killed in action or died on active service and 110 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one DSO, two MBEs, one George Medal, one British Empire Medal, five MCs, eight MMs, and 14 MIDs. Alliances The 26th Battalion held the following alliances: United Kingdom – Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (1928–51); Canada – The Perth Regiment (1932–53); New Zealand – The Otago Regiment (1932–54); South Africa – Witwatersrand Rifles (1932–53). Commanding officers The following officers commanded the 26th Battalion: World War I Lieutenant Colonel George Andrew Ferguson; Lieutenant Colonel Reginald John Albert Travers; Lieutenant Colonel William MacIntyre Davis. World War II Lieutenant Colonel Henry William (Harry) Murray; Lieutenant Colonel John Noel Abbott; Lieutenant Colonel Bernard James Callinan; Lieutenant Colonel Allan Gordon Cameron; Lieutenant Colonel Peter Glyn Clifton Webster; Lieutenant Colonel Eric Barnes. Battle honours The 26th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours: World