During the night, however, the Japanese began to encircle the Australian position.

More than 2,000 Chinese mortar and artillery rounds fell on the Australian positions during the night.

Later a group of Italians blundered into the Australian position; 40 were killed and 56 captured.

Later, over 1,000 dead were removed from Australian position to be hastily buried.

That night the Japanese attack in waves against the Australian positions.

Throughout the day the defenders began pressing against the Australian forward positions and engaging them with mortar fire as more reinforcements were brought up.

At about 03:30 on 23 May, a Japanese light machine gun fired into the Australian position.

The Australian position had been weakened by having about a third of its strength out on patrol at the time of the attack.

Nevertheless the Australian position had been made untenable and they were forced to withdraw and link up with the company to the north.

We should not be supporting a reference to a zero quota, which is no longer the Australian position.