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

Despite these moves, we knew there would be no place where we would not
be under direct observation. We got a few hours' rest, and at 0330 hours on
1st December, Brigadier Miles arrived back with the orders from Corps to say
that the corridor must be held. 1st South African Brigade was in action on
the escarpment, and Corps had sent a message to 30th Corps. as follows:-
((Enemy captured Sidi Rezegh and has been attacking New Zealand
Division on West and East with tanks. Consider it absolutely essential
7th Armoured Division concentrates every effort to destroy
enemy tanks East and West New Zealand Division position.))
ENEMY RECAPTURE BELHAMED
(MAP X)
Soon after daylight on the 1st December, a heavy enemy attack by
tanks, supported by artillery, began to develop in a North-East direction from
Sidi Rezegh against Belhamed Spur. The tanks came forward under cover
of dust and smoke. Machine guns were carried forward on the tanks and
these shot up the field artillery and anti-tank guns. War-battered German
infantry, whose morale at this time was low, were shepherded forward.
Their co-operation enabled the tanks to avoid casualties and push forward.
It appeared as if the remnants of 6th Brigade would be destroyed. At this
moment, however, a force of British tanks with field artillery in support
appeared, the mere sight of them causing the enemy to waver. Commander
6th Brigade considered the enemy would give way to counter-attack and
offered to support it with what was left of his force. This was the last
chance of stabilising our position, but the Tank Battalion Commander's
instructions were to cover our withdrawal, and a possible opportunity passed.
Belhamed Ridge was in enemy hands and all artillery support was gone. There
was therefore no other course open for the remnants of 6th Brigade but to
withdraw behind the 7:th Brigade position near Zaafran.
Owing to the fact that we had so few troops there was no question of
counter-attack at Belhamed, but the situation there was stabilised by the
squadron of «< I Tanks in reserve, now down to 5 in number, moving to a
hull-down position and stopping the enemy thrust. 20th Battalion was overrun,
however, and the much-talked of corridor, which, at this stage, was
really of no use to our cause, was therefore severed.
The New Zealand Division was now in an unenviable position. A
wedge had been driven in between the units of 4th Brigade, leaving the
Brigadier with two companies of 19th Battalion, 6th Field Company, a
machine gun company, 90 South Africans from 5th South African Brigade,
and the remaining «I Tanks, occupying a weak defensive position.
At 0745 hours the following message went to 13th Corps:-
((Decision taken out of our hands being heavily attacked from South and
West. 1st South African Brigade failed to take Point 175 last night,
but are going to try again this morning. Am in touch with Norrie.
At 1155 hours we reported again to Corps:-
((Enemy now have Belhamed.
In the attack on Belhamed, 51 German tanks were employed, of which
at least 11 were destroyed. Later in the morning, we learnt that 18th
Battalion was intact and with 19th Battalion companies on Ed Duda, was in
touch with the Tobruk garrison. When 20th Battalion was over=run, 18th
Battalion was able to withdraw under heavy fire to below the escarpment.
They then took up a new position on the escarpment West of Belhamed,
where they remained until the enemy withdrawal a few days later.
Attacks continued from all sides against the remainder of our
surrounded force during the day, but these attacks were not seriously
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