Glen ducked his head as heavy firing started opposite him. The Japanese were blanket firing with machine guns and rifles. He punched the air in exhilaration when he heard the distinctive hollow plop of Australian mortars start up and the following explosions among the enemy made him smile. The mortars must have been on target because he heard pain filled shrieks from the jungle and the firing stopped.

In mid-morning, the enemy charged out of the jungle shouting and firing in Glen's area. The Australian's had set their range. The rushing Japanese had barely left the jungle before they were cut down. He watched a small broad shouldered soldier rush holding a sword above his head. He seemed to be charmed because he had almost crossed the clearing when Glen shot him in the chest. He staggered and kept coming so Glen shot him again and he collapsed. Glen put a bullet into the Japanese's head just to make sure. The charge stopped. The enemy retreated and returned to spasmodically firing on the Australians.

"You reckon you've earned your six and six today, Ed?" asked Glen

"Give me time. It's only ten o'clock."

"Could be one of those days," said Pete trying to ring out his sopping jumper.

"Tell the CO we want the day off. We want overtime or we'll go on strike," said Ed.

"The Nips'll let you through, tell 'em the CO said it was OK," suggested Pete.

"They don't understand English. We'll just have to shoot the bastards," said Ed as he fired at movement in the jungle. They heard faint gunshots in the distance. "Do you reckon that's 'C' Company?"

"Could be," said Glen. "Sounds like they want to join the party."

"Fuckin' gatecrashers. You reckon they'd wait for an invitation," said Ed.

Glen yelled, "'C' Company, you're invited to the party."

"Sounds like it's on," said Pete.

It rained steadily as sporadic firing lasted from the attack in the morning until mid-afternoon.