 By 24 November the Australians were within striking distance of the mission atop the summit . A reconnaissance patrol the previous evening had provided the Australian commander with the idea to send a company from the 2 / 48th over the Siki Creek and attack the mission from the south @-@ east up a steep escarpment that was covered in thick kunai grass , which offered an attacking force a degree of concealment . A red roofed hut stood at the point where the attack was aimed . This was about 300 metres ( 330 yd ) below the Lutheran church that formed the main part of the mission . Around the hut , the Japanese had constructed a number of reinforced defensive positions and although they had not been damaged by the numerous aerial attacks that had been launched by the Allies during the previous week , it was believed that because the approach was so difficult , it might be lightly defended . 
