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

4th Brigade Group was to advance on to the esca pmnent West of
Bardia, block movement on the main Bardia-Tobruk Road and contain any
enemy forces in the coastal area some miles further West by blocking tracks
to the South across the steep escarpment.
6th Brigade Group was in reserve to be ready to move to Gambut and
later to come under command 30th Corps should they be needed to assist in
the Tobruk Battle.
DIVISION MOVES
(MAP 1a)
The move of the Division to its assembly area at Bir Kanavis
commenced on Armistice Day and was carried out as an exercise.' No mention
was yet made of an attack. I do not think that this deceived anybody. Each
Brigade Group column, at 16 vehicles to the mile, was about 100 miles long
and took, at 15 ni.h., about seven hours to pass a given point. On the 14th,
in the assembly area, we let everybody know the plan. I held a conference of
officers down to company commanders and gave them a talk on the campaign
just opening and the role we would probably have to fill.
The Division rested on the 14th and on the 15th moved forward in daylight
about 45 miles. The entire Division moved in desert formation, with
200 yards between vehicles. It was a clear, windless day. Dust was slight
and this enormous mass of transport, tanks, guns, and carriers, covering the
whole panorama of the desert plain, was a most impressive spectacle. Speed
was kept to 7 m.i.h. as the going was mostly stony or humpy scrub country
and our tvre situation was. causing concern.
On the 16th the latest Intelligence Reports were received, including the
tank, air, and anti-tank gun strengths of the enemy. The total nn.iber of
enemy tanks in 15th and 21st Armoured Divisions was estimated at approximately
250, plus a doubtful number of reconditioned ((I)> r ank. There was
also Ariete Division with about 130 tanks. The presence of between 80,aind 100
50-millimetre anti-tank guns was confirmed. A captured gun had been tested
and its performance was impressive-the armour of British cruiser and
American-tanks could be pierced at 400 yards and the once invulne'rable
plate of the I Tank was reported to be penetrable at 60 yards. Reports of
our air support were reserved but there was no doublt that enemy air activity
was not comparable to ours. Finally, it was clear from repor'ts that General
Rommel's forces were deployed forward.
INTO LIBYA .
We remained halted on the 16th and on each of the follow in( three
nights advanced distances between 25 and 30 miles without vehicle lights. On
the third night, l8th/l19th November, we moved through the frontier wire
and went into a defensive position 8 miles'South of Libyan Shieferzen, where
we were to await the result of the armoured battle. There was still no
sign of the enemy air force but we had the satisfaction of watching our own
fighter sweeps and bomber squadrons passing backwards and forwards.
From what we have since learnt it is clear that German Intelligence
was strangely lacking and it is doubtful if they had any idea at this stage
that the offensive had begun. It is now known that General Romnmel was
away in Athens or Rome celebrating his fiftieth birthday when the battle
started. On the other hand our own Intelligence of enemy dispositions and
movements was proving accurate and extremely useful.
On the morning of the 18th we had received a report that the
Armoured Division had commenced their advance. North at 0600 hours. We
visuazlised the azdvnce of the Ahroured ~rigdes behind the light armoured
squadrons of the K.D.Gs., 1th H., and the South Africans w-ith their 200