1942 FREYBERG Nz-Div-in-Cyreniaca - Societa italiana di storia ...

MkLASSLr IE
Ravenstein's maps gave us a clear picture of the scale of attack we would
have to meet. During the night Divisional Headquarters moved closer to
4th Brigade and everything possible, was (done to meet the coming attack.
WE LOSE POINT 175
(MAP X)
The event of the morning on the 29th was the arrival of a convoy
headed by Colonel Clifton, until recently C.R.E., New Zealand Division, and
now C.E., 30th Corps. He arrived with tank escort and about 280 vehicles.
carrying rations, water, petrol, and, alove all, ammunition. The same morning
a convoy came out of Tobruk with 25 pounder ammunition so that the
situation from the supply point of view was much better.
During the morning there was enemy movement in several directions
on 6th Brigade front, which was engaged by artillery whenever it came within
range. 21st Battalion on Point 175 repulsed an attack from. the East and
were then attacked from the South. Our Valentines were, roughly handled
by an anti-tank gun which was apparently manhandled forward, only one
out of the 6 tanks- being mobile after this engagement.
There was no attack
on Sidi Rezegh in the morning, possibly because of a tank battle which was
in progress South and South-West of Ed Duda. A South African Armoured
Car with wireless link to 1st South African Brigade got through -to Divisional
headquarters, thereafter playig an imtant tp in oeffortstoi up
with the South Africans.
The enemy also advanced from the East below the. escarpment and
shelled the Divisional Headquarters area. They showed little inclination,
however, to press on against our rearguard strengthened by the return to
Divisional.Reserve of the, I Tanks of 44th Royal Tank Regiment. The
enemy shelling was never impressive, a good proportion of shells were duds,
and fragmentation was poor. Casualties to personnel and vehicles from shellfire
were therefore slight.
On 4th Brigade front the 29th was a comparatively quiet day, enemy
movements being dealt with by the artillery.
The Royal Air Force were very active. 6th Brigade reported two heavy
and effective raids and there were three raids on enemy transport and a tank
park North of Belhamed and on concentrations North of the main road.
During tie afternoon the first of a 'series of reverses came. The enemy
advanced with tanks from the South and took Point 175. The 21st Battalion
were caught napping by a ruse. Tanks came forward with men wearing
berets standing up in them, and our forward troops, who were expecting
the South Africans, were surprised completely. not realising their mistake
until the tanks were into our lines.
Our position in the rear was now overlooked and the German artillery
made conditions most difficult. Further, enemy troops were moving in on all
sides. By evening, enemy pressure on Ed Duda made it doubtful whether the
corridor was open. The situation at this stage was precarious in the extreme
but could still be remedied by the arrival of 1st South African Brigade, who
were due at any time. I reported to 13th Corps that we were virtually
surrounded. It was obvious that the enemy were trying to drive a wedge
between the New Zealand Division and the Tobruk garrison. Commander-
6th Brigade had given me a clear picture of the difficulties on his front.
Shortly after midnight on the 29th, the following information came in
from Corps by a message timed 1940 hours. 7th Armoured Brigade were
reported operating successfully South and West of Bir Chleta. 4th and 22nd
Armoured Brigades were attacking Sidi Rezegh. 1st South African Brigade
was adacntiy and reach Sidi Rezegh during the night of the 29th.
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