 Soon, Schillmöller pulled three brigades from van de Laar's force back to Tomohon to reinforce the town against a false intelligence about Japanese landing in Tanahwangko, further west of Manado.Despite this withdrawal, van de Laar was reinforced by stragglers from "Compagnie Menado" and an "overvalwagen" as well as Stadswacht troops under Lt. de Man.To provide protection against Japanese tanks, Dutch troops swiftly cut down a heavy tree that will fall on the road the moment the tanks came.