 Regardless, a number of factors combined to make the fighting on the Huon Peninsula, in the words of one participant, "harder and more nerve-racking" than that which the 9th had taken part in before.These included the harsh terrain, the closeness of the combat, and the lack of hot food, water and motor transport.Disease also proved significant and during the campaign up to 85 per cent of the division's personnel were ineffective due to illness at some stage.