Advancing more quickly through the inland hills and ridges than the Japanese had anticipated, by 22 January the Americans were in position to capture Kokumbona on the coast, headquarters of the 17th Army, and completely cut off the remainder of the 2nd Division.
De rykkede hurtigere gennem bjergene og højderyggene inde i landet end japanerne havde ventet og den 22. var amerikanerne i stilling til at erobre Kokumbona ved kysten, som var hovedkvarter for 17. arme og fuldstændig afskære resten af 2. division.