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The assault went in under the cover of darkness on the morning of 21 January. Once it appeared that the 2nd/3rd Battalion had penetrated the forward defences, the leading companies of the 2nd/1st Battalion started their advance. The 2/2nd Battalion made good progress, capturing  10 artillery batteries. In the meantime, a rifle company ran into booby-traps that killed or wounded several in a platoon. Major Abbot's company proceeded to clear several bunkered platoons, which it took after some determined resistance from the determined defenders manning Post 55, that forced one of his platoons to fall back. In the close-quarter fighting for Post 55, Sergeant Hoddinot had to use hand grenades to cover the withdrawal of his men, after the platoon commander (Lieutenant MacDonald) had been shot in the stomach and a section commander (Corporal Foster) killed and wounded five other men wounded.<ref>"Foster was killed and MacDonald wounded in the stomach but he (until he collapsed) and Hoddinott continued throwing grenades, until five more men in the platoon had been wounded by Italian fire. Hoddinott withdrew the twenty survivors." Australia in the war of 1939-1945, p. 222, Australian War Memorial, 1966</ref> For his courage and leadership in the action, Hoddinot won the [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] (D.C.M) and was later promoted to captain.

The assault went in under the cover of darkness on the morning of 21 January. Once it appeared that the 2nd/3rd Battalion had penetrated the forward defences, the leading companies of the 2nd/1st Battalion started their advance. The 2/2nd Battalion made good progress, capturing  10 artillery batteries. In the meantime, a rifle company ran into booby-traps that killed or wounded several in a platoon. Major Abbot's company proceeded to clear several bunkered platoons, which it took after some determined resistance from the determined defenders manning Post 55, that forced one of his platoons to fall back. In the close-quarter fighting for Post 55, Sergeant Hoddinot had to use hand grenades to cover the withdrawal of his men, after the platoon commander (Lieutenant MacDonald) had been shot in the stomach and a section commander (Corporal Foster) killed and wounded five other men wounded.<ref>"Foster was killed and MacDonald wounded in the stomach but he (until he collapsed) and Hoddinott continued throwing grenades, until five more men in the platoon had been wounded by Italian fire. Hoddinott withdrew the twenty survivors." Australia in the war of 1939-1945, p. 222, Australian War Memorial, 1966</ref> For his courage and leadership in the action, Hoddinot won the [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] (D.C.M) and was later promoted to captain.

An Italian platoon also fought well in defence of Post 62, despite British tank and artillery fire. Lieutenant Clark had to pour a mixture of crude oil and kerosene through the firing slit in order to silence the bunkered defenders. Eleven Italians were killed and the remaining 35 surrendered. As Captain Campbell's company reached the end of the first phase of the advance it came under fire from dug-in light tanks. Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Russell were wounded and Lieutenant Russell killed. Despite encountering some stiff opposition, the 2nd/8th Battalion took 1,300 prisoners.

An Italian platoon also fought well in defence of Post 62, despite British tank and artillery fire. Lieutenant Clark had to pour a mixture of crude oil and kerosene into the bunker in order to silence the defenders.<ref>"Post 62 fought back under tank and artillery shelling until Lt. F.D. Clark of Adelaide poured a mixture of crude oil and kerosene through the post’s windows to silence it. 11 Italians died and 35 surrendered." [http://www.avalanchepress.com/Graziani4.php Western Desert Force]</ref>Eleven Italians were killed and the remaining 35 surrendered. As Captain Campbell's company reached the end of the first phase of the advance it came under fire from dug-in light tanks. Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Russell were wounded and Lieutenant Russell killed. Despite encountering some stiff opposition, the 2nd/8th Battalion took 1,300 prisoners.

At around 14:00 hours, the Italians mounted a determined battalion-sized infantry-armour counterattack and Campbell's company had no option to withdraw, losing many killed, wounded or captured, before help arrived in the form of British anti-tank guns and tanks. At this point help arrived in the form of two British Matilda tanks.<ref>"The advance was resumed at 14:00 and once again the 2/8th Battalion bore the brunt of the action, almost immediately running into an Italian counter-attack involving  several hundred infantry supported by a dozen M13/40 tanks, seven of which got in amongst the Batalion's left hand company and overran its leading platoon ... The situation was saved by two Australian sergeants manhandling a captured Italian anti-tank gun into action and the arrival of two 2-ponder Portees from the 3rd RHA." (Tobruk: The Great Siege, 1941-42, William F Buckingham, The History Press, 2012)</ref>Meanwhile, other Australian rifle companies made good progress, using grenade, Bren, rifle and bayonet. They were met by a hail of fire on several occasions. Lieutenant Trevorrow and Sergeant Duncan were seriously wounded, and two of the platoon commanders had bullet holes in their clothing or equipment in the close-quarter fighting. At one point, Captain McDonald had to request the help of

At around 14:00 hours, the Italians mounted a determined battalion-sized infantry-armour counterattack and Campbell's company had no option to withdraw, losing many killed, wounded or captured, before help arrived in the form of British anti-tank guns and tanks. At this point help arrived in the form of two British Matilda tanks.<ref>"The advance was resumed at 14:00 and once again the 2/8th Battalion bore the brunt of the action, almost immediately running into an Italian counter-attack involving  several hundred infantry supported by a dozen M13/40 tanks, seven of which got in amongst the Batalion's left hand company and overran its leading platoon ... The situation was saved by two Australian sergeants manhandling a captured Italian anti-tank gun into action and the arrival of two 2-ponder Portees from the 3rd RHA." (Tobruk: The Great Siege, 1941-42, William F Buckingham, The History Press, 2012)</ref>Meanwhile, other Australian rifle companies made good progress, using grenade, Bren, rifle and bayonet. They were met by a hail of fire on several occasions. Lieutenant Trevorrow and Sergeant Duncan were seriously wounded, and two of the platoon commanders had bullet holes in their clothing or equipment in the close-quarter fighting. At one point, Captain McDonald had to request the help of