The Saucer battle on 30 to 31 October 1942

The 2/48th and the 2/24th Battalions went ahead with their attack even though they had missed the barrage. They both attacked with two companies forward and two companies following. They were hit whle advancing by anti-tank guns, heavy mortars, and machine guns. They were both able to take their initial objectives, after some fighting. They found themselves "advancing with ever dwindling strenght against ever stronger opposition. As someone ran into trouble, help arrived from the other battalion.
While the 2/24th Battalion moved forward, the heaviest fighting was on the left. The company on the right had an easier time. The left company had one platoon that took three posts. Two other platoons attacked another post and took an 88mm gun. The two other companies were caught by machine gun fire and wounded the company commander. He was replaced by a lieutenant. They had to help another company that was stopped short of their "first objective". The 2/48th Battalion also helped and they took the post. The back companies were able to "pass through". Many leaders were wounded or killed. Warrant Officer Cameron was eventually the company commander. He ended taking the last eight surviving company members back to the rear, where they dug in. The remnants of the 2/24th Battalion were concentrated "north of Thompson's Post", where they dug in, ready for "all-around defense". They got a report that Thompson's Post was not occupied. They were asked to check it out. The battalion commander took 15 men to check the report.
The 2/48th Battalion also had heavy fighting. They were involved in attacking posts and in case disabled an 88mm gun and two machine guns.
The two reserve companies were in a fight and had to fight posts on the edge of their path. Agsin, leaders were killed or wounded. One company was stopped and had to get down due to fire, "forced to gound". One company on the left side had moved out to miss a minefield, but then was out of touch with the rest of the group. A lieutenant was ordered to "deal with mortar and machine gun posts". One company was reduced to five men by this time. The battalion headquarters moved forward but were quickly in front of the companies. Two companies were merged to form a 45 man company. The 2/48th Battalion commander met with the current leaders of his battalion. He ordered them to dig in and hold the ground that they had taken. This  is based on the account in Vol.III of the Australian Official History.