The platoon reduced by eighteen soldiers within eight days due to enemy attack, snake bite and malaria also ran out of essential ration and were also running low on ammunitions. A couple of tracer soldiers had reported enemy activities in the jungle. Apparently, they were advancing faster than what their commanders thought.

Soldiers apparently slept under temporary shelters created by wooden logs or found some space within rocks. Very soon, they were hunting for wild fruits also for their food. With all fuel gone and essential camping gears too abandoned, they all hoped to reach help soon. On day nine, the platoon was lucky to get a couple of wild boars. Some jungle experts arranged for fire by striking rocks and rubbing wooden twigs. That day, most of them had good food.

On day ten, they found a lake. They all camped under trees near the lake and all the soldiers went to take bath and relieve themselves. Rains did give them some respite but fear of enemy was clear. While relieving, one of the soldier heard some strange noise. After finishing, he quietly walked up to see a full battalion of more than hundred Japanese soldiers quietly walking towards the lake. Probably, they too were looking for some place of rest and were apparently looking tired and run down.