22 August 1942

Japanese increase patrolling around Isurava, probing to find the Australian defences.

CO Ralph Honner moves around his young Diggers, building their confidence by his presence and helping them to define their areas of responsibility.

“War is largely a matter of confidence. If the troops have confidence in their mates, their weapons, their leadership, and sufficient confidence in their numbers – in that they’ve got a fair chance and they’re not hopelessly outnumbered – they’ll fight well.  When that confidence goes, then something snaps and the force can be dissipated.”