21 August 1942

Brigadier Arnold Potts arrives at Myola, holds 2/14th there until HQ can resolve their supply problems.

At Isurava, Ralph Honner first hears that 2/14^th will arrive imminently, “all the news seemed good news and courage feeds on hope”. Then he learns that Japs are building up their force to his north. And then he learns that of “grave supply difficulties behind us”. The 2/14^th may be delayed.

“I knew that relief could not come for many days and I was determined never to ask for it. I was equally determined that there should be no more precipitate retreats – that we should ‘stand and fight’ – orders I had heard myself at more than one pass in Greece, including famed Thermopylae.”