The meeting where Churchill was persuaded and a new plan was formulated

Churchill held a meeting on 29 October 1942 where he met with the chiefs of staff, with the addition of Field Marshal Smuts, the South African. Churchill started the meeting by attacking Montgomery. Alan Brooke, the CIGS, defended Montgomery and pointed out that Montgomery was gathering a force to use for the next offensive. When Field Marshal Smuts supported Alan Brooke and Montgomery, Churchill backed off. Churchill's bad message to Alexander did not get sent and instead, another was sent.

Another meeting was held in North Africa with Alexander and then with Montgomery. The new attack would be called "Supercharge". They would attack as far north as possible. They would try to breakthrough between the 90th Light Division and the Trento Division. The new attack would happen on the night of 31 October to 1 November 1942. Montgomery wanted to "destroy the enemy's armor", "to fight in the open", and "use up his petrol". General Freyberg would command a division with two British brigades and the 9th Armoured Brigade. The 1st Armoured Division with two armoured brigades and the 7th Motor Brigade would create a new "bridgehead". Freyberg wanted more time, so Montgomery postponed the attack on day to the night of 1 November to 2 November.

To keep pressing the enemy, the 9th Australian Division was to keep attacking to the north. They would use four battalions. One would be used "to cut the road". Two more would be used to clear the road. The fourth battalion would "push through to the coast".

Brigadier Whitehead was the attack commander for the night of 30 to 31 October 1942. The main force was from his 26th Brigade. He would not have one battalion, but had two more added along with the 40th RTR. They would attack from the 2/23rd Battalion front. The 2/32nd Battalion would be a mobile force with an anti-tank battery and some machine guns. This is based on the account in Vol.III of the Australian Official History.