At 1300 on 20 April, Japanese forces began to fire mortar and artillery rounds on the RAR positions, along with horrific rain.
On the morning of 26 April, two West African 4.7-inch howitzer batteries began to fire on Bergner and Valerie assisted by Hawker Hurricanes.
Soldiers dug in on Valerie abandoned their foxholes and went to the aid of their Japanese comrades on Bergner.
That night the Japanese mortared the RAR's newly won positions and killed 3 men after hitting A company's trench.
Japanese forces then attacked from the rear, causing unrest among the RAR soldiers and four men lost their lives through friendly fire.