A battle involving allied forces which included No.6 Commando against an enemy force comprised of troops of the Hermann Goering Jaeger Regiment supported by tanks. No.6 Commando was tasked to patrol a wooded mountainous area North of Bou Arada after intelligence reports of German infiltration through the hills north east of El Arousa.
They were not expecting a large enemy force to be present. The Commando at the time consisted of 4 Troops and an HQ comprising 15 Officer's and 231 O.R.'s.

At dawn a Fighting Patrol of 30 O.R.'s led by Captain Spooner was ambushed. The rest of the Commando engaged the attackers and during the ensuing fighting a support troop of three armoured cars and seven carriers of 56 Recce Regiment arrived to assist.

The fierce and at times hand to hand fighting continued with the focal point being the farm on a hill overlooking the road between El Aroussa and Medjez El Bab. The Farm had a large Steamroller on it hence the battle name.

The enemy had superior numbers and were later supported by tanks and as a result the lightly armed Commandos were forced to withdraw with over 40% casualties but had succeeded in holding up the enemy attack. The enemy dug in but were later dislodged by allied forces supported by tanks.