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

disclosed their positions and were often put out of action by the enemy
tanks. A weapon of higher performance than the two pounder is required
for the Anti-Tank Regiment.
There was a tendency for guns to be left portee under conditions
when they should have been dismounted for ground action. Two pounders
should be fired from the lorry only under the following circumstances:-
threat.
(1) When protecting mobile columns on the move.
(2) In. withdrawals.
thet As reserve guns in a Brigade or Divisional area moved to counter a
Two pounders were on some occasions used successfully as a close
support weapon- to infantry in attacking machine gun and light miachine
gun posts.
THE 25 POUNDER
The 25 pounder is an excellent weapon and much superior in shell,
power to the German and Italian field guns encountered during 'the
campaign. On occasions when troops were attacked by small :groups of
tanks, fire was withheld down to ranges of 800 to 1200 yards and very
good results were achieved. Until we are provided with proper anti-tank
guns we must speed up ammunition supply to our field regiments.
DIVISIONAL CAVALRY
Lightly equipped as our Divisional Cavalry was, it proved to be
invaluable. Given the right equipment, e.g., armoured cars and American
type tanks with a good tank gun, it would have been even more useful.
There appears to be no place for a Divisional Reconnaissance Unit.
INFORMATION
Within the Division the flow of information both upwards and
downwards .has greatly improved and it was found satisfactory, even
under the worst conditions. During the battle period information regarding
troops on our flanks was.only satisfactory on the rare occasions when
we were actually in touch with them.
CODES
The very elaborate and unwieldy code system, produced before the
campaign, broke down partly under its own weight and partly because it
was frequently compromised by capture. The two essentials appear tobe
the time code and the map reference code and the latter could be simplified
by using only the daily adder. Apart from these two codes it'is considered
that messages within the Division should be either in cipher or in clear.
CONCLUSION
To sum up: This campaign has shown again that the well-established
principles of War still apply. Of all the factors which contribute towards
success, surprise is still the most important. To achieve surprise we must be
highly trained. We must train to reach the highest standard of efficiency in
mlovement, :in the use of weapons, and in co-operation with other armTTs.
Training now is more necessary than ever. Success- depends on the ~ill to
win of a full-trained_ force at the highest pitch of physical fitness.