. Hence, to the surprise of some of the staff officers the reinforcements thundered down upon us at noon time, just as though their coming had not been urged against. It was fortunate, indeed, that they did so, for by mid-afternoon they began to play a decisive part in repelling the increasing Japanese assaults; by evening the total strength of the combined Battalions became fully engaged; and by morning, after a strenuous night, every available man was called upon to defend the perimeter. Realizing such circumstances, we can gain a truer insight into the nature of that equation of forces which historians call a battle, when a few incalculable might-have-beens can so vastly alter the value of Victory's unknown X.