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the Bardia-Tobruk Road and brought their field regiment into action on the escarpment against wonderful targets. They cut all telegraph wires and gathered up a large number of vehicles and many prisoners. The move effected another complete surprise and was carried out with very light casualties. The value of these moves was very great as they drove a wedge between the forward elements and greatly handicapped General Rommel in his plans. How great a nuisance it was can be estimated by the number of times our positions were counter-attacked. 6th BRIGADE GROUP MOVES WEST (MAP V) Meanwhile the expected order that 6th Brigade was to move Westwards and pass to command 30th Corps was received in the evening. 6th Brigade Group accordingly moved 10 miles to the West of Sidi Azeiz on the Trigh Capuzzo ready to move on Gambut. The Brigade Group was complete in every way as a mobile striking force. Full administrative arrangements had been made at Bagush for supply and maintenance of the Group as a separate formation. They had a complete field ambulance and a separate supply column. In addition to a field regiment, anti-tank artillery, and antiaircraft artillery, a squadron of Valentine « I Tanks (42nd R.T.R.) was sent to join them. In their move they encountered very muddy going but no opposition. They captured. a bewildered German Light Aid Detachment en route which had no knowledge of our presence. By dawn, 22nd November, we had accomplished our first mission and, due to the rapid surprise night moves, it had been carried out with great ease. Both the 4th and 5th Brigades were ordered to test the defences of Bardia with patrols. They patrolled to within 200 yards of the Bardia defences where enemy outposts were observed at intervals of two chains. The defences appeared to be strongly held and artillery was very active. 21st Battalion prepared to attack Bir Ghirba in support of 4th Indian Division. Patrols found it strongly held. The Divisional Cavalry had been moved West at daylight to hold the approaches over the escarpment from the North about 13 miles to the West of 4th Brigade. Their presence was resented by the Germans and they were attacked from the North. It was decided that one battalion of 4th Brigade and tanks should move to support the Cavalry. At 1025 hours 20th Battalion was counter-attacked by enemy motorised infantry supported by armoured cars, tanks, and artillery from the North- West. The attack was dispersed and the enemy force pinned to the ground by fire. Until this opposition was cleared up it was impossible to go on and attack Bardia. Early in the afternoon, two companies of 20th Battalion, a squadron of «
( The 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade passed through the 5th Brigade at Sidi Azeiz and arrived. at the top of. the escarpment in the early hours of the morning. There they caught the Germans in their, tented canip. I -feel that although a great number of the forward -elements have got away fron the' Iardia-Tobr'ulk Road.- there are still technical *troops, a considerable amotnt of motor transport, and. possibly part of the lorried infantry regiment in the area North of IeIenastir and possibly Mersa'Lucch. Strong battle patrols have been sent in-to -the-East and South of Bardia defences and these have. disclosed, the fact that I3ardia . appears to be strongly ,held in 'so far as artillery is concerned. The patrols were eavily engaged by enemy field -artillery, many grans being active. Enemy infantry posts were. reportel along the wire every two chains. There were no patrols forard of the wire. I should say that Bardia defences are garrisoned;.andl firmly held. II cannot at this- stage. say what the situation, is on the Halfava-Sidi Omar front. The. 5th. ,Brigade report' -a good deal of activity on their front. I should be in a better position later in the day to say to what extent I consider the, area Sidi Omiar-Halfava is held. I feel certain that the situation.with regard to Halfava- and .I3rdlia is well known to you. I should, .however, like to point out the weaklc ammunition situation and the great shortage of bomb11)ardient and barrage guns avilable. I feel we. should start 'on -a :definite policy of dumping ammunition as soon 'as any offensive operations are contemplated. H.Q., N.Z. Division, 22nd Nov., 1941. 1415 hrs. At this stage things began to develop quickly. At 1400 lours I received a telegram from :Corps as follows:---. . Leave "minimuml trops to observe enemy.iardia and send rcllaindec r your troops to clear up North Bardia-Tobruk Road.)) The result of this of-der would be further to split up the-)ivision. Tent a- tive arrangements were made but the Liaison Officer to Corps was instructed to explain.that it would mean that we should be very weak in the Bard i'a area where a counter-attack was possileC. This was confirmed b). the following telegram to Corps:- The 6th Infantry Brigade have now passed to 30th Corps. lPreswii you. do not wish to take all troops other than. those guarding Bardia. Propose to leave milininuil guarding Western exits front Bardia:and send two battalions and two squadrons of (( I ))Tanks and Divisional Cavalry to clear up area around GanIbut andl North Bardia-Tobruk Road West to 46 gril line. Will you say if this meets Corps order. Enemy troops on present Divisional 'front 'are active. Do nt recommend 'x eakening tile block..South of 'Bardia at. present. Reply "ini mcdi ate. DISQUIETING (MAP VI) REPORTS Later in 'the afternoon we : got our first real news concerning the armoured battle in the.West. Liaison Officers fromt 30 Corps and from General Gott-arrived with the' news that all , was not well. They rep~orted1 that the Support "Group and.. General Gott himself were surrounded at Sidi Rezegh. Further, they camle with the urgent request tha.t the nsmve of 6th Brigade to relieye the Suport Group should be acceleratei. As aL resullt of these representations I sent a cipher mnessage by W/T and also byp iaison 1i-c 8
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