A Sqn.
In reserve NTR. Sgt Hutchinson went “Out of Battle”, 1Tp taken over by Sgt Beedham.

B Sqn.
2Lt Cunningham and Cpl Wittaker arrived with RRAC from LAD. Orders were received during the day for the Sqn to move next into a position to observe the battle for BARDIA.

A Sqn.
In reserve NTR.

B Sqn.
The Sqn Ldr did recce in the early afternoon and the Sqn moved to Pt. 217 497402 with 1Tp 2Lt Cunningham at Pt. 225 502399.

RHQ.
The 4 ACs plus the MO and his vehicle and the colonel’s Ford moved forward down the main road towards BARDIA and tucked themselves in under the escarpment at approx Kilo 17. Support Group HQ was just above on the top of the escarpment.

A Sqn.
Sqn in reserve NTR.

B Sqn.
The Battle of BARDIA commenced at 0530 hours.
At 1200 hours 1Tp 2Lt Cunningham moved forward to Pt. 216 505399 as observation from Pt. 225 was bad. From Pt. 216 it was difficult to see very much or to report anything of any significance as the battle was taking place on the other side of the MENASTIR ridge. A new ??? arrived with the Echelon but as it had to be towed most of the way it was sent back the next morning. Leave having started again, Sgt Matheson went back and was replaced by Sgt Hoyland.

RHQ.
By climbing to the top of the escarpment, shells (15 inch) from the navy could be seen bursting inside the BARDIA defences. Terrific columns of smoke and dirt were thrown up and it made one even feel a little sorry for the Italians.

A Sqn.
Sqn in reserve, NTR.

B Sqn.
4Tp Sgt Holland left for Pt. 216 at first light.
At 1030 hours SHQ moved up to Pt. 216 but saw nothing to report except what appeared to be the rounding up of thousands of prisoners. A warning order of a probable move the next day was received from RHQ. Sqn spent the night at 497402.

A Sqn.
Sqn still in reserve and at 1300 hours received orders to move to HAQFET NADURA replenishing on the way. Two Breda AA guns were attached to the Sqn.
At 1815 hours Sqn took over left flank guard to RHQ for night march.
At 1945 hours halted for the night approx 1 mile South of HAQFET NADURA having done 32 miles since 1715 hours.

B Sqn.
1Tp 2Lt Cunningham proceeded to Pt. 225 at first light and at 0830 hours were ordered to move forward to Pt. 216. However, after proceeding 400 yards they ran into a field of Thermos bombs and the MRAC ran over one and damaged the offside front, there were no injuries.
Capt Lawson visited RHQ and received orders to move at 1300 hours to replenishing area 480389.
At 1330 hours the Sqn moved, the LAD having taken over 1Tp’s damaged MRAC. The Sqn arrived at replenishing area at 1515 hours and were there joined by the remainder of the Regt.
At 1630 hours Sqn moved with the Regt to area HAQFET NADURA which was reached at approx 1930 hours.

RHQ.
The Regt concentrated at the replenishing area Pt. 211 on the TRIGH CAPUZZO, and after replenishing moved of to area HAQFET NADURA arriving there at approx 1930 hours. During the move to Pt. 211 from the BARDIA area we had fighter protection (Hurricanes) which was reassuring and an unaccustomed luxury.

A Sqn.
The Sqn was ordered to recce BIR GUBI aerodrome and defences and to occupy it if possible.
At 0430 hours 1Tp and 2Tp were sent on this task. 1Tp to approach from the NE and 2Tp from the South.
At 0530 the remainder of the Sqn moved forward towards GUBI.
At 0625 hours 1Tp reported that they were on the landing ground which was deserted, and at 0700 hours 2Tp confirmed this report.
At 0715 hours SHQ and the remainder of the Sqn arrived at GUBI.
At 0720 hours 1Tp was sent to observe the track leading from GUBI to BIR HACHEIM and 2Tp proceeded for 6 miles along the GIARRABUB track and 3Tp took up a position of observation on the GUBI – TOBRUK track. 4Tp remained in reserve with SHQ who took up a position 2 miles to the South of the aerodrome.
At 1115 hours the Colonel visited SHQ and carried out an inspection of the buildings etc, with the Sqn Ldr Capt Robarts. It appeared as though the place had been evacuated for at least a fortnight and no equipment had been left behind.
At 1715 hours the Sqn moved another 2 miles further South and all Troops were withdrawn into SHQ.

B Sqn.
Sqn in reserve moved with the Regt to BIR EL GUBI at 1545 hours.

A Sqn.
The Sqns moved 7 miles to the West along the Trigh ENVER BEY, no patrols were detached as the Sqn was acting as a patrol in observation.
At 1100 hours the Colonel visited SHQ.
At 1605 hours the Sqn was attacked by 6 dive bombers (Bredas) who dropped HE and incendiary bombs from about 300 ft. the bombers were escorted by 9 fighters which flew above them and dropped anti-personnel bombs. The attack lasted for about 10 minutes. Two attacks were made and the second one was mainly machine gunning. LCpl Jones of 4Tp was hit in the left shoulder. The two Breda AA guns attached to the Sqn fired approx 150 rounds and one gun jammed. It was believed that one bomber was hit as he made off with smoke pouring from his tail. LCpl Seaman took LCpl Jones back in a RRAC and met Capt Justice, the MO, on the track about ¾ mile from SHQ.
Lt Turnbull returned and took over from Lt Friend, who took over 3Tp.

B Sqn.
Sqn in reserve.
At 1615 hours 4Tp did a recce to the North to U9372 and returned at 1930 hours.

A Sqn.
Sqn in same position.
At 1640 hours 1Tp Sgt Beedham proceeded on recce of track running South of BIR ENVER BEY in a westerly direction.
At 1810 hours the Sqn moved West along the track for 17 miles and at 1950 hours halted for the night.
At 2100 hours 1Tp returned from recce.

B Sqn.
Same position. NTR.

A Sqn.
The Sqn moved at 0615 hours and took up a position 2 miles to the South of track.
At 1245 hours the Colonel visited SHQ and at 1400 hours the Colonel and Sqn Ldr carried out a recce of the ground 4 miles West of the present position.
At 1445 hours they returned and the Colonel left for RHQ.
At 1600 hours 3Tp Lt Friend proceeded on a recce of the Trigh ENVER BEY to the West and SW for 10 miles. He reported an enemy recce plane flying East towards SHQ. The plane had machine gunned them without effect. It arrived over SHQ at 1610 hours flying at about 3000 ft. Breda AA and Bren guns opened fire and the plane after circling once flew away to the West. Several bursts from the Breda appeared to hit or be very near and one engine appeared to be out of action. No bombs were dropped.
At 1750 hours the Echelon arrived with 2 more Breda guns. Aircraft were heard overhead during the night, but there were no untoward incidents.

A Sqn.
Sqn in same position.At 1110 hours Sgt Moore, Royal Signals, arrived to fit a Noll Wireless in the Guy Armd Car.
At 1120 hours enemy recce bomber flew over SHQ at about 3000 ft. he was fired on and flew away to the West apparently undamaged.
At 1600 hours 4Tp Sgt Parry proceeded on a recce of the country SW of Trigh ENVER BEY and at 1630 hours 5Tp proceeded on a recce of Trigh ENVER BEY for a distance of 25 miles to the West and NW.
4Tp returned at 1900 hours and 5Tp at 1930 hours.
The Sqn was rearranged as follows:-

1Tp Sgt Beedham	-1 MRAC, 2 RRAC,
2Tp 2Lt Clarke	-1 MRAC, 2 RRAC,
3Tp Lt Friend	-1 MRAC, 1 RRAC,
4Tp Sgt Parry	-1 MRAC, 1 RRAC,
4Tp Cpl Thomas	- 2 Guy ACs,
SHQ Capt Robarts	-2 MRA

C.The wireless set fitted in one of the Guy cars worked satisfactorily.

A Sqn.
At 0700 hours 1Tp proceeded on a recce of ground towards the South and West of the Sqn position to find out what the going was like. At the same time 2Tp went on a similar recce to the West and NW. the latter Tp returned at 0900 hours.
At 1110 hours a twin engined Caproni flew over SHQ at 2000 feet and was heavily fired at. He circled and came back at 5000 feet and dropped six 501b bombs. No damage was done except to the Ford Utility which had the petrol tank punctured by a splinter.
At 1130 hours 1Tp returned.
At 1600 hours Major Leetham accompanied by the colonel 106th Regt AA RHA, (2 sections of which were attached to the Sqn 0 4 guns) and the MO Capt Justice visited SHQ and left again at 1700 hours.

A Sqn.
At 0630 hours 2Tp proceeded on a recce of the ground to the North of SIGNALI and returned at 0900 hours.
At 2030 hours Lt Friend and Cpl Thomas with 2 Guys, Sgt Parry in a MRAC and 2 Breda AA left to carry out a recce of EL MECHILI.
At 2300 hours W/T comms with this party failed and they were still out of touch at 2400 hours.

A Sqn.
At 0001 hours still no comms with 2Lt Friend’s party.
At 0520 hours Cpl Thomas, LCpl Burge and Tpr Murphy arrived at SHQ on foot. Cpl Thomas reported that his Guy had broken a side steering arm and that under orders he had walked back with his crew, a distance of 15 miles. They were all in good condition on arrival. Lt Friend and the remainder of the party had continued with the recce. He also reported that all messages had been received from SHQ but they had been unable to put anything back.
At 0830 hours communication was re-established and Lt Friend reported that he was in position 30 miles along the Trigh ENVER BEY and 1 mile to the South of it.
At 1000 hours a report was received to the effect that they had been chased out of their position by the enemy. Following is the chronological sequence of events:-
At 0845 hours an enemy recce plane spotted them and after making a thorough search of the area for other Troops, flew off towards MECHILI.
At 0915 hours two enemy fighters appeared, searched the area but failed to spot this party and returned to MECHILI.
At 1000 hours the recce plane reappeared and machine gunned bushes etc about ¾ of a mile away. At the same time the sentry reported that more or less the party was surrounded by enemy ground troops and a considerable number of M/Cs appeared about 250 yards away and opened fire with light MGs. At the same time the patrol was engaged by arty and A/Tk fire. Lt Friend and Sgt Parry engaged the enemy, thereby enabling our AA gunners to get their guns onto the trucks and to withdraw with their other lorries. This was carried out without casualties and the patrol withdrew to the SE where it remained until 1600 hours.
At 1600 hours 1Tp Sgt Beedham with Cpl Thomas and LCpl Standford left to recover the broken Guy.
At 1900 hours Lt friend and his party returned, followed by 1Tp with the Guy. The Guy was evacuated by LAD at 2100 hours.

A Sqn.
At 0800 hours the Sqn moved 1 mile to the West so as to be able to observe the Trigh ENVER BEY.
At 1600 hours 2Tp 2Lt Clarke left to carry out a recce of ground and going to the South and SW for a distance of 30 miles.
At 1900 hours 2Tp reported that the MRAC had broken down and that they had done 26 miles of their recce. They were ordered to remain in that position for the night. W/T comms between this Tp and SHQ again failed.

A Sqn.
At 0530 hours 8cwt truck met D Sqn (RAF) at SEGNALI in order to pass on information regarding the ground to the North of the track.
At 0830 hours 2Tp returned from their recce.
At 1245 hours the Sqn Ldr left for a conference at RHQ.
At 1600 hours 3Tp Lt Friend left to look for a position for the Sqn approx 7 miles to the West along the Trigh ENVER BEY. This Tp returned at 1725 hours.

B Sqn.
4Tp, 2Lt Gape who had rejoined the Regt after a long period of illness in Cairo, did a recce to SIDI BREGHISE thence to BIR TEMRAD where the night was spent.

RHQ.
The Sqn moved with C Sqn and spent the night in the SIDI BREGHISE area.

A Sqn.
At 0700 hours 5Tp Cpl Thomas with 2 Guys left to take up a position of observation on the Trigh ENVER BEY and of the ground to the West and North.
At 0745 hours 2Tp with 2 AA guns left to take up a position of observation approx 12 miles to the West of SEGNALI.
At 0830 hours the remainder of the Sqn with 2 AA guns moved to a position 7 miles to the West along the Trigh ENVER BEY and 1½ miles to the North of it.
At 0900 hours 2Tp and 5 Tp were in position.
At 0945 hours SHQ arrived in new position and at 1100 hours the 8cwt left to go back to the old position to pick up the remainder of the petrol.
At 1245 hours the 8cwt returned (Tprs Anderson and Katz) and reported they had been attacked by 4 enemy fighters firing incendiary bullets, but no damage had been done. These men showed no trace of nerves from this experience.
At 1330 hours the Sqn Ldr accompanied by 2Lt Luya (RHA) and the SSM left to visit patrols, escorted by Sgt Parry in a MRAC.
At 1415 hours Sqn Ldr arrived at 2Lt Clarke who reported that enemy fighters had been over and looked as though they were about to attack his vehicle, but directly the AA guns opened up they flew off without having opened fire. The Sqn Ldr left 2tpm at 1430 hours and went North for 14 miles to visit 5Tp which he failed to find and therefore returned to SHQ arriving back at 1750 hours. No movement seen reported all day from all patrols.

B Sqn.
At 0700 hours the Sqn moved to the WADI SCEGGA which was reached at 1130 hours. In the afternoon two recces were made. 4Tp 2Lt Gape due East from SHQ to main BOMBA – TOBRUK road over fairly good going. He then went South on main road to track junction MECHILI – BOMBA where a patrol from support group was seen. They then crossed the BOMBA aerodrome and proceeded SW down the track to SHQ arriving at 1830 hours.
3Tp Sgt Hoyland went in the direction of EL CHAULET but failed to find this place. He reported the country to his North as being impassable and returned to SHQ at 1820 hours.

B Sqn.
Sqn in same position. 1Tp 2Lt Halliday recced ground to P3311 thence due West to P3510 and from there to EL EZZEIDT returning via the MECHILI track to SHQ. He reported the main track running North from MECHILI at P5694. This track was similar to the Trigh ENVER BEY and was probably a main track to MARTUBA and DERNA. 1Tp returned at 1350 hours.
At 1500 hours 4Tp went due North from SHQ and reported that after 8 miles the country became impassable. 4Tp returned at 1735 hours.
A MRAC, a RRAC and a Guy arrived with the Echelon. The RRAC broke down at P6998 and 2Tp Sgt McCarthy stayed with it.

A Sqn.
Sqn in same position. Two patrols in observation, no movement seen all day.
At 0830 hours Sqn leader left for RHQ with a Guy W/T car as escort. Two Breda AA guns also went as they were to be reallocated.
At 1230 hours 15 German planes, thought to be bombers, flew over SHQ with an escort of 6 fighters. They were flying East.
The Sqn Ldr returned at 1900 hours.

B Sqn.
The LAD collected the RRAC which had broken down the previous day and Sgt McCarthy rejoined the Sqn.
Capt Arkwright (2i/c) and 4Tp 2Lt Gape left for RHQ at 0815 hours, 4Tp returned at 1420 hours.
There was some air activity during the day and Thermos bombs were dropped in the area. One plane flying near SHQ was identified as a German.
SSM Kitchen was taken ill during the night and was evacuated to RHQ in the morning from where he was subsequently sent back and operated on for appendicitis at MDS near SOLLUM.

RHQ.
German planes flew over RHQ and were heavily engaged by AA fire. They dropped no bombs and sheared off as soon as fired at.

A Sqn.
The Sqn moved to U2764 (Bengasi map).
At 1740 hours 2Tp left to carry out a recce of area U0476 and 4Tp left to recce area U0868.
At 1815 hours 2Tp broke a sump of their MRAC and were towed back to SHQ by the RRAC. The recce was therefore not completed.
At 2000 hours 4Tp reached their objective but could not do anything further owing to bad ground and failing light. They halted for the night and were ordered to complete the recce at first light.

B Sqn.
At 1500 hours the Sqn was ordered to join RHQ in the BIR ALEIMA area. On arrival at 1650 hours the Sqn replenished and moved on again behind RHQ to area U3888 where the night was spent.

RHQ.
Moved to area U3888 for the night. News was received that TOBRUK fell at 1300 hours.

A Sqn.
At 0830 hours 4Tp returned to SHQ after completing recce.
At 1130 hours 3Tp left to take up observation at BIR EL BETOR T5668, at the same time 1Tp left to take up observation at U2232. These patrols were 50 miles apart.
At 1500 hours orders were received to withdraw 1Tp and to take over area AURIET EL HAMMAMA. 4Tp were given this task.
At 1515 hours Sqn moved to T9565.
At 1630 hours 3Tp who were very near their objective were ordered to proceed to EL HAMAMA at T5080 and 4Tp were ordered to take over area BIR EL BETOR.
At 1715 hours 5Tp left SHQ for RHQ to lead the Echelon to the Sqn.
At 1745 hours Sqn reached T9565 and halted for the night.
At 1930 hours 1Tp halted for the night 4 miles SE of SHQ.

B Sqn.
At 1200 hours the Sqn moved off in front of RHQ to BIR EL HAMARIN area which was reached at 1600 hours. 3Tp were sent 7 miles South but returned before dark.
Both vehicles of 1Tp blew cylinder head gaskets and one of them had to be evacuated. Another Guy came up with the Echelon but broke down 4 miles from SHQ and had to be brought in by LAD. The country around the Sqn position was very undulating and rocky.

A Sqn.
At 0630 hours 4Tp reported that they had arrived with RHQ and that their MRAC had a badly bent track rod. They were ordered to stay there and repair the damage.
At 0730 hours 1Tp who were trying to join SHQ reported not verify their position.
At 0800 hours 5Tp left with the Echelon for RHQ who were at U0863. 1Tp was still missing.
At 0920 hours 2Tp left to take up a position of observation at the T tracks at T7086.
At 1000 hours ?Tp reported that their MARC had broken a push rod and their RRAC had broken a rear spring shackle and main leaf. This RRAC was left at T6879 with the crew but the MRAC was repaired sufficiently to enable it to return to SHQ.
At 1100 hours 5Tp arrived at SHQ and then left to take up their position at T7865. 1Tp and 3Tp had not rejoined SHQ by 1300 hours.
At 1430 hours the 8cwt and Sqn fitter left to search the area for 1 & 3Tp and at 1600 hours found them at T8570. They eventually arrived at SHQ at 1700 hours.

B Sqn.
At 0950 hours 4Tp 2Lt Gape moved 10 miles to the South of BIR HAMARIN where they remained in observation all day and returned to SHQ at 1935 hours. The Sqn was still with RHQ in the BIR EL HAMARIN area.

A Sqn.
Sqn still in same position, although not very sure of what the actual position is! The map was known to be very inaccurate and there were no good landmarks from which the position could be checked. No movement seen all day.
The Echelon had to cross very bad going to reach the Sqn and was accordingly kept for the night as the risk of damaging the vehicles over such bad ground at night was not worthwhile.

B Sqn.
At 0715 hours the Sqn with one section of Breda AA guns moved to T9141 arriving at 1025 hours. A vehicle of 1Tp punctured his petrol tank and had to be evacuated by the LAD.

At 1600 hours three ‘ground’ recce patrols were sent out all of which returned between 1800 and 1830 hours.

A C Sqn patrol operating to the East of the Sqn spent the night with the Sqn.

A Sqn.
Sgt Beedham 1Tp left to relieve 2Tp at 0645 hours and to take up a position of observation of the track from MECHILI at T7087. At the same time Lt Friend 3Tp left to relieve 4Tp at T7765.
At 0900 hours 4Tp returned to SHQ.
At 1800 hours 2Tp broke down 10 miles to the West of SHQ and were ordered to remain there for the night.

B Sqn.
At 0645 hours 1 & 3Tp with 4Tp went out to recce the ground for a distance of 30 miles to the West and 20 miles to the NW.
At 1400 hours the Sqn less 4Tp was ordered to join the Regt but at 1600 hours this order was changed and the Sqn spent the night 7 miles due South of BIR HAMARIN.

A Sqn.
At 0645 4Tp left to relieve 1Tp, taking the Sqn fitter with them and dropping him at 2Tp en route.
At 0650 hours the Sqn Ldr and the Echelon left for RHQ escorted by 5Tp.
At 0830 hours 4Tp reported they were in position.
At 0900 hours 1Tp moved North to a position of observation of track at O6908. 3Tp returned to SHQ at 0930 hours.
At 1200 hours the Sqn came under orders of 7th Armd Bde and at 1205 hours moved to T8992.
At 1400 hours 1Tp reached their objective after very rough going and at 1600 hours, reported clouds of dust moving in a NW direction toward them. However no vehicles could be seen.
At 1030 hours 2Tp and 4Tp rejoined SHQ on the march. Sqn halted for the night at T7085 at 1745 hours.
At 1800 hours the Echelon arrived escorted by 5Tp. Lt Friend was given one of RHQ’s MRAC in place of his own. The Sqn was organised as follows:-

1Tp Sgt Beedham	1 MRAC, 1 RRAC,
2Tp 2Lt Clarke	1 MRAC, 1 RRAC,
3Tp Lt Friend	1 MRAC, (the RRAC was still with LAD)
4Tp Sgt Parry	1 MRAC, 1 RRAC,
5Tp Cpl Thomas	2 Guy ACs,
SHQ Capt Robarts, Lt Turnbull	2 MRAC.

At 1900 hours the Sqn came under orders of the Support Group.

B Sqn.
At 0800 hours the Sqn moved and joined RHQ at BIR EL HAMARIN. 1Tp MRAC cracked its sump and was handed over to the LAD. 1Tp’s RRAC went to 2Tp.
At 1145 hours the Sqn moved behind RHQ to O9785 where the Sqn replenished.
At 1650 hours the Sqn moved off again behind RHQ in a very bad sandstorm, skirting the enemy position at MECHILI which had been evacuated by them on the night of 26/27th January. The Sqn leaguered with RHQ and C Sqn on the MECHILI – GIOVANNI BERTA track at U0494.

A Sqn.
At 0800 hours 4Tp proceeded to a ground recce.
At 0815 hours the Sqn moved to a position 7 miles to the West of T5889. 4Tp returned from their recce at 1700 hours.

B Sqn.
At 0645 hours the Sqn moved behind C Sqn due West. From 9619 4Tp and 2Tp were sent out to gain contact with the enemy who appeared to be retiring to the main road SLONTA – GIOVANNI BERTA. 4Tp reached the area 9516 and liased with 2nd RTR who had been ordered to attack enemy concentration of MET in the 8015 area. 4Tp took up a position in the 7924 area and observed the tank attack and withdrawal. 4Tp remained in position all day and was occasionally shelled. They had to move back slightly a little later owing to enemy MCs and light cars with Breda guns. During the whole of the day this Tp reported that the enemy were retiring towards SLONTA, also that there was a certain amount of movement on the track running NE to CHAULAN at 7528. 2Tp who were operating to the North of 4Tp in area 8427 confirmed the information given by 4Tp.
The enemy continued to retire all day but appeared to leave a rear guard along the 76 Grid line.
At 1730 hours SHQ moved up to 9122 with the Echelon, 1Tp and a section of Breda AA guns. 3Tp with the 8cwt bug and the fitters lorry were held up by bad going and remained out all night. 2Tp remained at 8727 during the night and 4Tp rejoined SHQ at 1930 hours.

A Sqn.
Sqn still under command Support Grp.
At 1100 hours 2Tp 2Lt Clarke left to carry out recce of track in area T2088 and returned at 1500 hours.
At 1800 hours the Echelon arrived escorted by Lt Friend, who had picked up Cpl Thomas who had been out of W/T touch. 3Tp had to leave one Guy at MECHILI owing to a big knock. Cpl Bailey and a RRAC also rejoined from the LAD and another RRAC driven by Tpr Crosby arrived from AD Workshops.

B Sqn.
1Tp and 4Tp (2Lt Halliday and 2Lt Gape) were sent out on patrol at 0700 hours in a NW direction with the main BARDIA – SLONTA road as the objective.
SHQ at 915224 and patrols moved out from that position.
At 0900 hours 3Tp Sgt Hoyland was sent out West towards Pt. 595. This patrol was shelled when only a few miles out and was able to pin prick the guns at 7627. There were 4 guns firing. These guns were kept under observation.1Tp and 4Tp were ordered into the CHAULAN area to observe any movement to the South. However the track junction at 8330 was heavily mined and movement was restricted. 4Tp moved up the track going NW from 9626 and found two enemy light tanks which had broken down and were being repaired by their crews. The crews escaped into a wadi and the patrol destroyed the tanks.
3Tp took up a night position astride the track at 8622 and 1Tp took up a position at 9425.

A Sqn.
At 1000 hours the Sqn again came under command of the Regt.
At 1045 hours 3Tp left to take up a position of observation of the ground to the South and West of the track at T6387.
At 1200 hours 1Tp left to take up a position of observation at O6607 and at 1215 hours the Sqn moved for new position at T7680 arriving there at 1430 hours.
The Echelon failed to arrive as 4Tp MRAC broke a dumb iron on bad ground.

B Sqn.
At 0700 hours 2Tp Sgt McCarthy relieved 3Tp and 4Tp 2Lt Gape relieved 1Tp. The role of these two Troops was to observe enemy positions and movement. Both patrols were shelled at intervals whenever they came in sight of the guns but no damage was done.
During the afternoon Colonel Gairdner and the CO visited the Sqn and went with Sgt Hoyland to see the enemy gun positions. They were shelled when they were out of their car and on foot but no damage was done except a piece of shrapnel punctured Colonel Gairdner’s AC.

A Sqn.
At 0700 hours the 8cwt was sent off to try and find the Echelon but failed to do so. The Echelon were eventually found at 1100 hours 6 miles to the North of SHQ. The MRAC with the broken dumb iron had to be abandoned.
At 1630 hours a CR42 was shot down by AA fire from 4th Armd Bde who were about 5 miles to the NE.
At 1815 hours 3 enemy bombers circled over SHQ after having bombed the 4th Armd Bde. The attached Breda AA opened fire and the bombers sheared off.

B Sqn.
At 0700 hours 3Tp relieved 2Tp and 1Tp relieved 4Tp. The northern patrol reported 3 M13’s and MCs advancing East and the patrol withdrew in front of them while keeping them under observation. The tanks came on as far as Pt. 581 but returned to the West in the evening.

A Sqn.
A very quiet day. Normal patrols but no movement seen. A certain amount of enemy air activity over patrols but no incidents.

B Sqn.
At 0700 hours 1Tp and 4Tp relieved 2Tp and 3Tp. 1Tp 2Lt Halliday reported shelling to his North and that he could hear MCs. His position was Pt. 593 and he was relieved at 1200 hours by 2Tp.
At 1330 hours 2Tp reported a long line of dust moving in a NW direction but could not see any vehs. He moved forward 2 miles at 1500 hours and reported some MCs in area Pt. 595.
4Tp Lt Gape was in a position at 8423 and reported shelling to the North and heavy AA fire East of SLONTA at 1135 hours. He also reported enemy position extending from 7728 to Pt. 629 7622.
Sgt Matheson arrived with the Echelon and took over 3Tp from Sgt Hoyland who took over the duties of SSM.

A Sqn.
Normal patrols, no movement seen all day.

B Sqn.
During the night 4Tp heard enemy vehicles in what they thought was a NW direction between 0100 and 0300 hours.
3Tp Sgt Matheson and 1Tp 2Lt Halliday relieved the other two Troops at first light.
At 1120 hours patrols reported that the enemy position was unoccupied except for a few MET and MCs who were retiring West. Patrols were ordered to move slowly West and to pay particular attention to tracks on account of mines.
At 1500 hours the Sqn received orders to push on to SLONTA via the Xtracks at 5524 and thence via the TRIGH AZIZA.
At 1530 hours the Sqn moved to the Xtracks at 7724. 3Tp arrived there first and the RRAC struck a mine. The crew were not hurt but the car was badly damaged. 1Tp was at Xtracks 7528 and Sgt Matheson recced from 7724 to the North to try and find a way round the minefield and to contact 1Tp which he succeeded in doing at 1640 hours. He remained with 1Tp in that position for the night. SHQ and the remainder of the Sqn stayed at 7724.
At 1700 hours Major Miller arrived from Cairo and took over the Sqn from Capt Lawson who returned to RHQ prior to going to Cairo. He had been in the field commanding the Sqn for a long time without a break.

RHQ.
Major Miller who returned from Cairo brought with him Major Pepys of the Royals who was attached to the Regt to get an idea how we worked. Major Crossley of the Kings Dragoon Guards also arrived with one Sqn KDG who were in leaguer a few miles to the South.

A Sqn.
At 0645 hours 3Tp proceeded on a recce of the TECMIS track the plan being to get into a good concealed position during the day and to carry out the actual recce during the late afternoon and evening.
The 8cwt bug with 10 crates of petrol and a Guy AC belonging to 5Tp left with 2Tp and went as far as ??? where they filled up 2Tp and then set out to return to SHQ.
At 1115 hours 3Tp left to take up a position of observation at GHOT ??? T3386.
At 1130 hours the 8cwt and Guy returned to SHQ and reported that there were thermos bombs along the track.
At 1300 hours the Sqn moved forward to T8067 arriving there at 1515 hours.
At 1530 hours troops were sent forward to clear the track of bombs, which they did by exploding 20 bombs with Bren gun fire, rifle fire would not explode them. They returned to SHQ at 1700 hours and reported the track clear.
At 1715 hours 2Tp commenced recce of tracks.
At 1830 hours 2Tp and 3Tp moved back along the track for 7 miles and halted for the night.

B Sqn.
At 0700 hours 3Tp Sgt Matheson was ordered to proceed West down the track from 7429 and 1Tp 2Lt Halliday remained there to await the arrival of the remainder of the Sqn. The LAD and 2Lt Caldwell RE with a sub-section were attached to the Sqn. 4Tp 2Lt Gape remained behind to show the REs the location of the mines and to bring them on when they had cleared the minefield.
SHQ led by 2Tp Sgt McCarthy joined 1Tp and proceeded West down the track.
At 0830 hours 3Tp found another minefield at 7228. Sgt McCarthy moved two mines off the track and the Sqn was able to proceed.
At 1130 hours at 5926 3Tp ran into an A/Tk trench with adjacent minefield. 2Lt Caldwell RE who had by this time cleared the other two minefields and removed over 600 mines was sent up to clear the latest discovered , which he did and led the way over it in his truck followed by Cpl Early in his RRAC. 2Lt Caldwell got over alright but the RRAC struck a mine which badly damaged it but again the crew were unhurt. It was thought that this mine had been buried deeper than the rest and had been missed.
At 1400 hours the Sqn received orders to proceed North to EL FARDIA area and to come under orders of the 8th Australian Div. The Sqn retraced its steps and then proceeded North along the track from 7429, 1Tp in front and 3Tp going back to pick up the Echelon and to escort it to the Sqn.At 1545 hours 1Tp 2Lt Halliday reported another minefield and A/Tk trench at 739817. This was cleared by the REs and the Sqn proceeded until reaching Fort EL RIDATTA 7139 where there was another trench and more mines. The Sqn arrived at the fort at 1800 hours and a detour was made around the trench and the mines. It was raining hard and the going was very bad. On reaching the track again the Sqn pushed on to EL FARDIA arriving at 1910 hours and received a rousing welcome from the local inhabitants. The night was spent there.RHQ.In the early afternoon the Sqn followed by B Sqn moved to a position South of MECHILI and replenished en route.

A Sqn.
At 0645 hours 1Tp left to take up a position of observation at S9521.
At 0800 hours the Sqn moved forward to GHOT DERVA.
At 0815 hours 1Tp who were halted with a petrol stoppage were attacked by two CR42. The crews were unhurt but the rear petrol tank of the RRAC was punctured.
At 0845 hours 3Tp was sent forward to take over from 1Tp.
At 0900 hours the Sqn moved forward again.
At 1030 hours Sgt Beedham and a MRAC was sent back to try and find the Echelon which the Sqn Ldr was rather worried about as they had a difficult job to find the Sqn without much data to work on.
At 1130 hours the sound of aircraft was heard, but no planes could be seen. A loud explosion was heard and clouds of smoke could be seen. 3Tp was sent to investigate but could find no craters or any sign of a target.
At 1300 hours the Sqn received orders to rejoin the Regt at MSUS and the Sqn moved at 1430 leaving Sgt Beedham to continue his search for the Echelon.
At 1700 hours the Sqn was still on the move over extremely difficult broken ground and wadis. At this time Sgt Beedham reported that he had not met the Echelon so he was ordered to proceed to BIR BETOR to re-fill at the RASC dump there.
At 1730 hours W/T communication failed with Beedham.
At 2300 hours the Sqn halted for the night having done 34 miles on very tiring country. Still out of touch with Beedham and accordingly without news of the Echelon.

B Sqn.
At 0715 hours having contacted the leading Australian patrols coming from the East the Sqn proceeded West down the main road towards SLONTA. 4Tp 2Lt Gape was in front followed by 1Tp 2Lt Halliday and 2Tp Sgt McCarthy. 3Tp Sgt Matheson was sent back to GIOVANNI – BERTA to contact SQMS Dyson and his Echelon.
At 0850 hours 4Tp reported a large road block and mines at 3829. The REs had been temporarily lost in the morning mist, so 4Tp were told to do their best to get round the block.
At 1015 hours Sgt Holland 4Tp was killed by a mine from which he was removing the fuse. The mines were cleared by 1200 hours and 2Tp took the lead.
At 1345 hours 2Tp struck another minefield which 2Lt Caldwell RE cleared by 1415 hours.
At 1500 hours the Sqn reached GARAUA and 4Tp investigated the aerodrome but found nothing except a few burnt out planes. Approx 1 mile West 2Tp captured a Fiat car, 2 lorries, 2 officers and 12 ORs. 2Lt Caldwell and SHQ also captured 1 officer and 18 ORs who were hiding in a culvert.
At 1800 hours at 882174, 2Tp caught a party of enemy laying mines, some of which were already in place across the road. 2Lt Caldwell and his two trucks went forward and when the mines had been cleared 2Tp went on followed by 1Tp. At this moment an enemy ambush party opened fire on the vehicles and Tpr Potter and Tpr Froggatt were killed and Sgt Whittaker wounded. A MRAC and a RRAC were badly damaged also a Guy AC of 1Tp and both the RE trucks. During a lull in the firing 4Tp 2Lt Gape was sent forward to try and give covering fire for the withdrawal of the other vehicles but the firing started again more fiercely than ever and 4Tp were forced to withdraw into cover of bushes by the side of the road. Sgt Whittaker was badly wounded in the leg but Sgt McCarthy, LCpl Stump and Tpr Naylor managed to get him out of his car and carry him out of danger. All this was carried out under very heavy fire. The enemy were firing shells, A/Tk guns and MGs at a range of about 3/400 yards. Major Miller was in his Ford utility amongst the damaged vehicles but managed to get it off the road and retired on foot. The whole action lasted for about 10 minutes. Having collected as many vehicles as possible the Sqn withdrew to 960160 and remained there for the night.

A Sqn.
At 0700 hours the Sqn moved forward towards the track at BIR MELEZ and came under orders of Support Grp.
At 1000 hours the Sqn met the B2 Echelon of RHQ who supplied the Sqn with hard rations and petrol.
At 1200 hours the Sqn moved again with the task of recceing ESC SCELEIDIMA which was believed to be held. 5Tp was given the job and moved forward as advance guard to the Sqn.
At 1330 hours the Sqn halted at S5315 and 5Tp went on to carry out the recce.
At 1500 hours 5Tp reported that their objective was strongly held by guns and Infantry and that they could see a strongly built fort on the top of a hill which commanded all approaches.
At 1530 2Tp 2Lt Clarke was sent forward to recce an enemy position at SIDI BRAMM.
At 1600 hours Support Grp were in position 2 miles South of the Sqn.
At 1615 hours 5Tp Cpl Thomas reported that he had met a patrol of D Sqn (RAF) who were going to be attached to the Sqn and at 1630 hours D Sqn HQ arrived at SHQ.At 1635 hours the B2 Echelon arrived. This Echelon was doing a double job as there was still no news of Sgt Beedham or the B2a Echelon.
At 1645 hours Brigadier Gott of Support Grp arrived at SHQ and escorted by 3Tp left to carry out a recce of ESC SCELEIDIMA.
At 1730 hours a patrol of D Sqn took over from 2Tp.
At 1800 hours 3Tp arrived at SHQ and confirmed 5Tp report. 2Tp also arrived at SHQ.
At 2230 hours 5Tp returned having been delayed by mechanical trouble. ESC SCELEIDIMA was shelled during the night by our artillery.

B Sqn.
After having been threatened by the Australians the enemy withdrew during the night and at 0830 hours 4Tp again took the lead towards BARCE followed by 1Tp. At the top of the escarpment at Kilo 8 the road was badly blown and further down the hill the enemy had blown a 120 ft span bridge. No movement seen in BARCE but an explosion was heard. Sometime was spent while the damaged road was surveyed but at 1355 hours the Sqn turned back and with 4Tp leading turned off the main road at 8116 and moved down the track to the station at 6610. There were two A/Tk trenches dug across this track but they were soon filled in. Sqn halted for the night in area 5905.

RHQ.
While at MSUS another “Force” was formed consisting of 11th Hussars, less A & B Sqns, plus one Sqn of the KDGs, the Rifle Bde and guns under Lt Col Campbell, the whole force under command of Lt Col Combe.
RHQ left MSUS at first light in the tracks of C Sqn. The remainder of the Force followed a little later. On reaching ANTELAT, the B vehicles were left there and the 4 ACs plus Col Campbell in an 8cwt truck went on towards the main road. On arrival at SIDI SALEH the Colonel and Colonel Campbell carried out a recce. A suitable position for RHQ was found and the rest of the Sqn sent for. They eventually arrived with the rest of the Force. The guns were positioned and the Rifle Bde took up positions on the road.

At 1000 hours the Sqn moved to the White Mosque on the road and on the way contacted Cols Renton and Campbell as the Sqn task was to protect the right flank of the Rifle Bde and the guns while they blocked the road. Sgt Lamb captured 1 Italian officer and 13 ORs.
At 1800 hours the Sqn concentrated with SHQ at the Windmill.

A Sqn.
At 0645 hours the Sqn Ldr left with Brigadier Gott escorted by 3Tp for ESC SCELEIDIMA.
At 1030 hours the Sqn received orders to move forward to SCELEIDIMA as it had now been evacuated by the enemy.
At 1100 hours 2Tp reached the objective and were ordered to recce SIDI BRAMM.
At 1130 hours the remainder of the Sqn arrived at the fort but were held up by a huge A/Tk trench across which the Sappers had made a temporary bridge but it was not strong enough to hold the fitters lorry. Accordingly the trench had to be filled in to carry the weight across. This work took about an hour and the lorry crossed successfully.
At 1140 hours 3Tp was ordered to recce SOLOCH which was shown on the map as the terminus of the BENGHAZI railway. The patrol entered at 1230 hours and were warmly welcomed by the inhabitants many of whom appeared to be of Turkish origin.
At 1235 hours the Sqn moved off as advance guard to Support Grp the objective being SOLUCH.
At 1300 hours 2Tp reported that SIDI BRAMM was unoccupied and that they had captured 1 Italian officer and 4 ORs.
At 1330 hours 3Tp were pushed on to recce NW towards GARDINA.
At 1430 hours the Sqn arrived at SOLUCH and then moved 1 mile to the West of the town. In the town the fitters lorry broke down and had to be towed. This vehicle was affectionately known as JEMIMA and had be right through the campaign from June to February and had only failed to reach BENGHAZI by 25 miles.
At 1445 hours 3Tp entered GARDINA where they received a civic welcome by the Mayor. One Trooper was given some Italian money by one of the inhabitants and he immediately spent it in a shop on much needed milk and sugar.
At 1500 hours a troop of D Sqn (who were still attached to the Sqn) was sent to recce GHEMINES. In the meantime 3Tp had pushed on another 7 miles and was well on the way to BENGHAZI having met no resistance.
At 1530 3Tp were ordered to return to SHQ and 2Tp were recalled from SIDI BRAMM.
At 1800 hours 2Tp arrived at SHQ with their prisoners who were handed over to Support Grp.
At 1805 hours a Carrier Platoon of the Rifle Bde was sent out to assist D Sqn patrol with their prisoners.
Still no news of Sgt Beedham and the lost B2a Echelon.

B Sqn.
The advance continued, 4Tp in the lead and followed by 1Tp and moving towards REGINA and ??? the first obstacle to be encountered was an A/Tk trench at REGINA which was reached at 1330 hours. The weather was very wet and the track very sticky. From REGINA it was possible to see right across to BEMINA and BENGHAZI. The Sqn stayed at REGINA (while the Australians marched into BEMINA) until 1700 hours and then moved down to leaguer position on BEMINA aerodrome.At 1900 hours Sqn received orders to proceed South to ??? at first light as 7th Armd Div required assistance. For the first time for nearly two months the Echelon failed to find the Sqn.

A Sqn.
The Sqn received orders to act as advance guard to Support Grp and D Sqn were ordered to recce along the coast track whilst the Sqn and Support Grp moved along the main road.
At 0700 hours the Sqn moved across country towards ANTELUCH, 2Tp leading.
At 0800 hours the Sqn reached the main road and turned West. From here on Italian soldiers waving white flags were met continuously. For the most part they seemed only too glad to surrender.
At 1400 hours the Sqn came under command of the Regt again. 2Lt Clarke was evacuated to an ADS with an injured hand.
At 1500 hours the Sqn reached Kilo 18 (from AGEDABIA) where the remainder of the Regt, less B Sqn, was. Cpl Thomas and 2Lt Poston rejoined the Sqn.
At 1600 hours the Sqn moved with the Regt towards AGEDABIA, where Lt Friend’s Tp was left to assist in guarding the prisoners. The Sqn leaguered for the night 2 miles to the West of the town.
At 1815 hours the long lost B2a Echelon arrived. Cpl Wood who was in charge of it had put up a very good show as the Regt had moved very fast and whenever he asked for information as to its whereabouts he always received the answer “Oh, the 11th have gone on”. Cpl Wood reported that Sgt Beedham was just SW of the BIR BETOR waiting to be recovered by the RASC as his car had gone into a ditch and bent the front axle as well as damaging the wireless.

B Sqn.
At 0700 hours the Sqn left to lead the 4th Btn of the 6th Australian Div southwards to try and catch up with the enemy column and deal it a blow to the rear. 4Tp took the lead until 1015 hours when 1Tp took over.
At 1030 hours the Sqn arrived at GHEMINES and went on to about 3 kilos short of MAGRUM. After halting there for sometime it was discovered that the 7th Armd Div had finished their battle very successfully and that the Sqn was to revert to the Regt who were then in AGEDABIA. The Sqn halted for the night at MAGRUM.

A Sqn.
At 0700 hours the Sqn moved West along the road acting as advance guard for the Regt, 3Tp leading.
At 0800 hours 3Tp reported that they had captured 30 prisoners and at 0830 hours they reported that they had captured and disarmed a Libyan Cavalry patrol consisting of 12 men.
At 0930 hours 3Tp reached the fork road MARSA – BREGA – AGHEILA and reported that there were 50 Italian soldiers on the MARSA – BREGA road. They were ordered to proceed on the main road to AGHEILA and 2Tp moved along the to MERSA BREGA. The 50 Italian soldiers were captured and sent back along the road to SHQ where they were ordered to march East along the main road.
At 1200 hours 3Tp reported that AGHEILA fort and aerodrome were unoccupied. The Sqn occupied the fort at 1230 hours and at 1300 hours moved 2 miles West and halted for the night. The weather during the day had been very rainy and stormy but the Sqn spirits were not dampened.

B Sqn.
At 0730 hours the Sqn received orders to rejoin the Regt, which was leaving AGEDABIA and proceeding to AGHEILA. The Sqn left MAGRUM at 0900 hours and joined the Regt at 1530 hours.
The Sqn leaguered in the White House South of the road about 4 kilos from AGHEILA.

RHQ.
The Officers Mess was established in the old Officers Mess of the CARABINERE who had previously occupied the fort. A good fire was lit and clothes and bedding dried.
Later that night two Libyans arrived, one of whom was a Sgt Major. He stated that there were approx 300 men with camels and horses in the sand dunes a few kilos to the East of the fort and that they wanted to give themselves up. The CO did not want them in that night as it would have been difficult to disarm and sort them out in the dark. The Sgt Major was therefore told to bring his men in the next morning and that if they behaved themselves they would be well treated and given food. If however they attempted to escape they would all be shot by our patrols. This seemed to be understood and the Sgt Major rode off back to his men.

A Sqn.
At 0900 hours the Sqn moved forward to the TRIPOLITANEAN frontier, 3Tp doing advance guard.
At 1000 hours 3Tp were held up by minefields which had been layed along the sides of the road; there was also an Italian lorry blown up, presumably by their own mines.
At 1030 hours a detachment of Sappers arrived and proceeded with 3Tp clearing the mines as they went along.
At 1200 hours the Sqn halted at RAS EL AALI which had been the Italian Cavalry Depot. Many horses had been left and they were very thirsty and hungry and in many cases were suffering from bullet wounds.
At 1210 hours 5Tp moved forward to act as forward patrol 4 miles West of SHQ.
At 1430 hours 2Tp relieved 5Tp. The remainder of the Sqn set to work to water the horses at a well in the Depot.
At 1500 hours 2Tp carried out a patrol for 20 miles West along the main road.
At 1630 hours 2Tp reported that 3 CR42’s flew over them at 100 ft but did not take any action.
At 1730 hours 2Tp returned and took up a position 4 miles West of SHQ.

B Sqn.
Sqn in same position. Abandoned enemy vehicles inspected.

RHQ.
At about 1000 hours the Libyans were sighted coming across the dunes towards the fort. They numbered about 400 camels, 20 to 30 horses and approx 340 men. There were also 20 Italians amongst them including an Air Force officer and some sailors. These men were all disarmed and marched to their allotted lines. The Italian prisoners were sent back with the Echelon. Major General Creagh visited the Regt and had luncheon in the officers mess. He inspected the Libyan Camel Corps and the fort. Unfortunately he did not have time to visit the Sqns but he wrote out and sent a long and most complementary signal to HM the King as Colonel in Chief of the Regt.

A Sqn.
3Tp relived 2Tp at 0645 hours.
At 1100 hours the CO visited the Sqn also Capt AMES RAOC who took away some of the abandoned vehicles.
At 1200 hours the Colonel left and on checking the Sqn position it was found to be 10 miles inside TRIPOLITANIA and not on the frontier!
At 1430 hours the Sqn moved back to AGHEILA.
At 1630 hours the Sqn leaguered 2 miles West of AGHEILA.

B Sqn.
The Sqn attended Regtl church parade in the hanger otherwise NTR.

RHQ.
Padre Woodhouse conducted a service in the hanger. There was a good attendance and the singing was excellent and sounded very well in the hanger. The turnout of the men, considering what they had been through, was very good. The KDG Sqn who had not been in the field for long, looked particularly smart. General O’Conner with some of his staff, visited the Regt and was entertained in the Mess.

RHQ.
Capt Wainman, the Adjutant, arrived after a long spell of illness and shooting accident in Cairo. He made a record journey by air to TOBRUK and then by road to AGHEILA.

B Sqn.
At 0655 hours an enemy recce bomber flew over the house in which the Sqn were billeted and dropped 4 bombs which made large craters about 200 yards to the North. The plane then circled and machine gunned the house and dropped 2 more bombs which fell about 200 yards to the East. No damage was done. Later the Sqn evacuated the house and moved 3 miles to the South into the desert.

RHQ.
The same bomber that attacked B Sqn flew over the fort and machine gunned the forward and rear link cars. There was no damage to them. A bullet embedded itself in a wall of the building in which Major Leetham, Lt Roberts, Capt Ames and Capt Justice were sleeping. Another few inches to the left and it would have gone straight through the door. Lt Col “Flash” Kellett MP who spent the night with us was sleeping in the next room. He left after breakfast to return to Cairo.

A Sqn.
Still in same position. All hands doing maintenance in readiness for the much looked forward to move back to Cairo.

B Sqn.
Sqn in same position. One enemy recce plane flew over during the day and was fired on without visible effect. No British planes seen throughout the day.

RHQ.
Major Baird (chief liaison officer between the British forces and Arabs) who had been sent to deal with the Libyan Camel Corps, made arrangements for these Libyans to be marched back to BENGHAZI. He stated that they were not proper fighting troops but a sort of ASC lifting Coy, and not a very good type of Arab. These men started off under escort of some trucks of the 60th Rifles and 2Lt Goschen. Before leaving, the Sgt Major reported that some of his men with their camels had escaped to the West. These were intercepted and recaptured by C Sqn. However they had apparently joined up with some civilian Arabs as C Sqn sent in more men and camels than were reported missing. Amongst them was also a BINT that we had never seen before. It was impossible to sort the civilians from the soldiers so Lt Roberts who, as OC RHQ, was responsible for them, locked them all in a large room for the night. The Bint was included in this party. It was the intention to march them off the next day to catch up with the main body.
During the night the officers mess area was bombed, luckily without causing any casualties.

A Sqn.
The night bombing attack on RHQ was plainly heard and fortunately the Sqn was not spotted.
At 1000 hours 17 Me 110’s flew down the road very low, machine gunning everything in sight. It was miraculous that no damage was done to the Sqn other than a few bullets in 1Tp bedding. They were flying at a altitude of about 50 feet.
At 1615 hours the fort was savagely attacked by Ju 87’s – dive bombing and machine gunning – luckily the Sqn was again unmolested.

B Sqn.
At 1200 hours 12 Me 110’s, having approached with engines shut off, suddenly attacked the Sqn heavily machine gunning from a low altitude. They came over more or less in turn, singled out a vehicle, attacked it and then flew off towards the fort and the other Sqns. The attached AA and Bren gunners returned the fire but owing to a sand storm at the time, the guns did not work well. The AA gunners ammunition lorry and the Sqn charging lorry were hit and set on fire. 2Lt Halliday’s MARC was hit through the radiator and was evacuated by the LAD. The 8cwt had both petrol tanks punctured but these were repaired by the Sqn fitter. All personnel were unharmed.
At 1615 hours a number of enemy planes circled over the Sqn and made a heavy attack on AGHEILA fort – dive bombing and machine gunning. One dive bomber was seen to have its tail shot off and to crash. No British planes seen throughout the day.
At 1900 hours Sqn moved another 2 miles South for the night.

RHQ.
For full details of the air attack on RHQ see Appendix.

A Sqn.
At 1200 hours another air attack was made on the fort, using very heavy bombs. The fort and buildings were enveloped in clouds of smoke and dust and it seemed impossible that anyone could survive such an attack. It was a most interesting spectacle and it was a relief to know that RHQ had moved out into the desert on the previous evening.
At 1600 hours the Sqn moved with the Regt to MARSA BREGA. On the way the KDG’s were passed going West and given a cheer.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved with the Regt to MARSA BREGA.

RHQ.
The Regt moved off at 1600 hours, b Sqn moved in advance as their position was the most easterly. With reference to the air attack on the fort as described by A Sqn; Capt Ames, three of his men and 2Lt Halliday were in the fort taking the radiator off the burnt out MARC. Luckily no one was hurt and Capt Ames who had been in the raid on the previous day said that he thought the first one was the worst.

A Sqn.
At 0915 hours the Sqn moved off a rear guard to the Regt and at 1030 hours the rear link car (Lt Turnbull, LCpl Foord RCS, LCpl Fitzpatrick and LCpl Gullick) ran off the road whilst overtaking another vehicle. The car overturned and the occupants were shaken up and bruised. Capt Ames and his LAD were soon on the job and eventually got the car back on the road.
At 1300 hours the Sqn arrived at Kilo 24 AGEDABIA – GHEMINES – BENGHAZI road where the B2a Echelon was met. The delay caused by the rear link car turning over proved to be fortunate as ½ hour previously 17 Heinkels had bombed and machine gunned an RASC convoy. The Sqn turned East off the road and proceeded for 6 miles, joined up with the rest of the Regt, replenished and had lunch.
At 1630 hours the Sqn moved again as rear guard reaching ANTELAT that evening where the rear link car also rejoined the Sqn.

B Sqn.
Sqn moved with the Regt for ANTELAT which was reached at 1900 hours. On the way the fitters lorry and Sgt Matheson’s MARC both ran big ends and were evacuated with only their drivers. During the morning Major Miller had received orders to remain with the KDG for a few days so Capt Arkwright took over the Sqn.

A Sqn.
The Sqn moved at 0700 hours as advance guard to the Regt. On the way a Caproni bomber (with a full load of bombs) was passed, apparently been brought down earlier in the day by SA fire. GHOT DERNA was reached at 1700 hours.

B Sqn.
Sqn moved with the Regt and arrived at GHOT DERNA without incident except that 4Tp MARC broke a spring when crossing a bad wadi. This Tp eventually arrived at 1830 hours.

RHQ.
The Colonel and Lt Grant Thorold with the Colonel’s Ford and the rear link car (LCpl Dawson and Sigm Smith) left at 0700 hours to visit BENGHAZI and other points of interest. Major Leetham took over command.
Many thermos bombs were seen on the march to GHOT DERNA but luckily none were struck.

A Sqn.
The Sqn moved with the Regt via TIMINI and AIN EL GAZALA aerodromes which were littered with burnt out enemy planes. During the march a MARC broke a steering arm which was the first mechanical trouble in the Sqn since leaving AGHEILA. The night was spent at Kilo 45 from TOBRUK and it was here that we caught one of our few glimpses of a KUMANGETIT van. It was very welcome and a good ‘haul’ was obtained from it including a good supply of eggs.

B Sqn.
Moved with the Regt and arrived in night leaguer position without incident.

RHQ.
The KUMANGETIT van produced some very much appreciated “comforts” for the whole Regt. The Colonel and Lt Grant Thorold rejoined soon after we had gone into our leaguer position, after a very interesting trip.

A Sqn.
Sqn moved off behind RHQ and arrived in the leaguer area without incident with the possible exception of 4 punctures.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved with the Regt behind A Sqn, nothing to report during the journey.

RHQ.
At 1000 hours the Regt moved – order of march C, RHQ, A &B Sqns. The Echelons which were now amalgamated brought up the rear.
The colonel with Lt HC Roberts moved off before the Regt to make arrangements for handing over the captured Italian vehicles we had been using in the Regt. These arrangements having been made, a personal recce of TOBRUK was made including the docks and Naval Barracks. The Colonel took some interesting photographs and a beautiful piece (about 12 lbs) of fresh beef was ‘scrounged’ from a very charming RASC Sgt Major.
The Regt arrived outside TOBRUK at 1220 hours. The road was almost completely blocked by a convoy of vehicles commanded by a young gunner officer who was waiting for his stragglers to come up. The Colonel asked him to put his vehicles off the road to allow the Regt through. He replied that if he did he might lose his convoy. The Colonel replied that if he didn’t he’d lose his commission! He moved and the Regt passed through and reached BARDIA at 1700 hours, passed through and leaguered 8 miles to the South. It was here that Lt Grant Thorold and Lt Roberts decided that the time had come to drink a bottle of champagne that a friend in Cairo had sent them sometime before. This was duly done at dinner and a toast drunk to out last night in Libya and may we never return.

A Sqn.
The Sqn acted as advance guard to the Regt and moved off at 0630 hours. A few anxious moments were experienced going down SOLLUM hill as 2 MARCs had no foot brakes. MERSA MATRUH was reached at 1615 hours, where the Regt refilled with petrol and moved on to Kilo 12 where the night was spent.

B Sqn & RHQ. NTR

A Sqn.
Sqn arrived at Halfway House without incident. Lt Friend’s Tp remained behind to bring on the LAD.

B Sqn. NTR
RHQ.
The Regt left at 0630 hours and Halfway House was reached at 1730 hours where a halt for the night was made. The Colonel took photographs of the officers and the entire Regt.

A Sqn.NTR. The total breakdowns for the Sqn from AGHEILA to ABBASSIA, a distance of 922 miles were as follows:-      6 punctures, 1 RRAC dowel pin, 1 RRAC radiator leak, 1 MARC swivel pin and 1 MARC steering arm.

B Sqn. NTR.

RHQ.
The Regt left for CAIRO at 0700 hours. The journey of approx 920 miles had taken 6 ½ days. The barracks were very comfortable and the whole Regt had the unique experience of once again having a roof over its head. The officers mess was in Woolwich House Rome Gardens. The officers quarters were in married officers quarters (less the married officers and their wives) and were very comfortable. Saffragis were already waiting and all officer’s kits had been taken out of stores and were in their respective rooms. The bath water was boiling and a very good luncheon ready and waiting. It was a glorious homecoming. No leave was granted to ORs that night and none of the officers went out as everyone was very tired and an early night between real sheets was enjoyed by everyone.

RHQ had made their HQ in the Carabinieri barracks at El Agheila. These barracks consisted of a long building divided into several rooms (on the North side of the fort proper) and a smaller building still further North which was the old Officers Mess and was used as such by RHQ. The whole was surrounded by a low wall forming a square.

Everything had been quiet since we moved into Agheila and various visitors arrived including the Corps Commander and the Divisional General who were entertained to luncheon in the Officers Mess. On the night of February 13th at approximately 2350 hours, enemy planes were heard flying from East to West and were believed to be S.79’s from the familiar droning noises of the engines. Two bombs were heard to drop about 1 mile East of the fort. The noise of the planes then grew louder and a bomb was dropped in the square about 20 yards from the officers mess. Another stick of 4 bombs was dropped just over the wall to the North of the Mess and a further 3 were dropped in the square. It was thought there were two planes operating.

The noise of the bombs dropping through the air could be plainly heard. The CO, Adjutant and Lt Grant Thorold were sleeping in the Mess and had a narrow escape from the first bomb which dropped outside the Mess. Splinters shattered the door and fetched up in the walls inside the room in which they were sleeping. One fragment went straight through Lt Grant Thorold’s trousers which were hanging on a chair beside his bed. Windows were broken and plaster shaken from the walls and ceiling.

The remainder of the officers and crews of the forward and rear link ACs were sleeping in the building on the South side of the square; which shook in a most alarming manner.

The planes, after having dropped their bombs, continued to fly over the area for some time and did not leave until approx 0040 hours, after having dropped another stick of bombs about 5 miles to the West of the fort, the road presumably being the target. It was not hit.

This night attack was a new and unpleasant experience for us and it was therefore decided that perhaps the desert was the best place after all, despite the unaccustomed comfort oh having a roof over our heads. RHQ was ordered to move out on the afternoon of February 14th so as to be right clear of the fort by night. Accordingly Major WI Leetham and Lt HC Roberts went off the next morning accompanied by Major O’Brien Butler RHA and Capt Temple RHA to reconnoitre a suitable spot in the desert to the South of the road. There was a bad dust storm that morning and visibility was bad.

B Sqn; whose position was 3 miles SE of the fort, were, at about 1200 hours, suddenly dived on and machine gunned by 15 Me 110’s which succeeded in setting two B vehicles on fire – one belonging to B Sqn and one to the section of Breda AA Guns attached to them. However there were no casualties of personnel.

The attack was very sudden and unexpected, especially in view of the bad weather. Owing to the dust it was difficult to see where the planes came from.

After having dealt with B Sqn the planes then flew over the fort and the aerodrome, machine gunning everything in sight including the concrete hanger. The R.MO (Lt Hartnell) and the OME (Capt Ames) were in the hanger at the time and said it was most unpleasant as the bullets not only came through the roof but that the planes were “front gunning” through the open doors of the hanger. At the time there was a lot of Italian SA ammunition stored in the hanger. The planes were flying at an altitude of 150 – 200 feet.

The Sqn of KDG had 4 men wounded when lying under their ACs and the RAF Sqn one man wounded, none of them seriously. A & C Sqns, who were also South of the road were not neglected and several cars of C Sqn were hit and the armour pierced on one car in many places. “Cannon Guns” were used by some of the planes but failed to penetrate the armour plating, only making large dents.

The Officers Mess square also received its share of attention and the rear link received a bullet in the spare tyre and a nasty dent in the back. The Adjutant and Lt Grant Thorold were in the mess at the time (reading the Tatler) and were forced to find some better cover than a very thin plaster roof. These planes were engaged by 4/106 Bty RHA’s Breda guns, SA fire and the three Bofors guns. One plane was shot down and two others reported damaged. The plane shot down forced landed about 12 miles to the West of the fort and about ¾ mile to the West of a patrol of C Sqn commanded by 2Lt Crankshaw. 2Lt Crankshaw’s Troop had not been left out of the fun and some of his tyres were punctured.

He watched the plane on the ground and said that the other planes machine gunned it on their way home. As soon as he was mobile he proceeded to the plane to collect the crew, which consisted of a WO pilot, and a wireless operator LCpl, both of whom were unhurt. The pilot spoke some English and explained his desire to be taken to the Commandant. Lt Crankshaw sent Cpl Chambers to investigate the plane and see if there was anyone else in it and to collect any documents there might be. The pilot showed considerable agitation at this move and by word and gesture intimated that the plane might explode. The plane was not badly damaged, except for a burst petrol tank on the near side and a Breda shell through the near side engine cowling which had severed some oil pipes.

The pilot was carrying various paper, the most interesting of which was a large map on which a course was marked in pencil. The starting point was MUNICH and the finish was a circle on the map at a point South of MISURATA. The route was via VENICE, NAPLES, SICILY and TRIPOLI. He also had some hotel labels of a hotel in NAPLES and various snapshots obviously taken somewhere in Italy as the girls appearing in the various groups were quite definitely not of a pure Nordic type.

Both the pilot and the operator were inclined to be surly and would not talk, the pilot denying any knowledge of English. He asked QMS White (who speaks a little German) how long he was going to be kept at AGHEILA and on being told “about a week” his face dropped quite a long way, which is not surprising in view of subsequent events.

On the afternoon of Feb 14th, at about 1615 hours, the Adjutant was busy in the orderly room writing the report of the previous raids when a message came through from C Sqn over the wireless to the effect that 20 unidentified planes were flying from West to East, South of the road. All guns were manned and everyone possible warned. It was not possible to warn other Sqns as CW was not being kept.

Within a very few minutes of the warning being received the attack on the fort commenced and the fort received their undivided attention, the other Sqns not being favoured. The formation consisted of Ju 87 dive bombers and they attacked from the East. The attack was very heavy and consisted of dive bombing and then machine gunning; and lasted for 10 minutes. One of RHQ’s ACs was hit and set on fire. The crew, consisting of Sgt Lucy, Tpr Buckler and Tpr Vivier being instantly killed.

A RAF officer who witnessed the attack from the South of the road stated that the planes approached in echelon to starboard formation at approx 8,000 feet; taking full advantage of the sun. when over the target the leader broke formation, dived and released his bomb at approx 1,500 feet. He then pulled out and did a steep climbing turn into the sun. this procedure was adopted in turn by the remainder of the formation and when the last plane had pulled out the leader did a shallow dive out of the sun and front gunned the target from 1,000 feet, followed by the remainder of the formation. Our guns did very good work – not only the Breda but the Brens as well. LCpl Dawson and LCpl Lee were manning their guns and firing during the whole attack. The RAF officer also stated that he thought the pilots were forced to carry out their front gunning attack from 1.000 feet because of the hot resistance in the form of AA from the ground. He also stated that the drill was extremely good, well executed and polished, which would seem to indicate that they were first line pilots, probably as good as our own.

During this action one Ju 87 had its tail shot off by a Breda gun and crashed just South of the hanger. The pilot attempted to jump as his parachute was open, but he was too low and was killed. The rear gunner, however, landed safely and was captured. He was a 1st Class WO and had the Iron Cross.

Sgt Moore of X Troop Royal Signals, who was in a good position from which to watch the attack, saw the wings fall off another plane and black smoke pouring from it. It is believed that this plane fell into the sea as the SSM of C Sqn saw the same plane with the smoke coming from it go down over the dunes in the direction of the sea.

The bombs which were dropped appeared to be heavier (judging from the noise) than those dropped the previous night, but on examining the places where they were seen to fall, there was not a sign of any crater and the fragmentation appeared very good. Fragments could be heard and seen kicking up the sand which had drifted against the wall and appeared to travel about 2 feet above the ground.

RHQ moved very shortly after this attack to a position about 1 ½ miles to the SW of the fort. Slit trenches were dug and one of the most willing and enthusiastic workers was the captured German.

On February 15th a further attack was made on the fort at 1200 hours by 12 planes – Messerschmidts and Junkers. They approached from the West, flying much higher than previously, circled the fort and then dive bombed and machine gunned it. They appeared to be using heavier bombs than the previous evening although eye witnesses from other Sqns state that the attack was very similar to the previous one and was, if anything, not quite so savage. However; those who were there on the previous day and who were watching this attack with considerable satisfaction from deep slit trenches could hardly credit that anyone could have lived through such a hellish inferno. There were 3 men from LAD in the fort during this last attack but they were all unhurt. One plane was reported as having been shot down and one damaged during this raid, but they were not found.

Training progressed favourably and all ranks enjoyed cricket and football and the amenities of Cairo when on the 31-3-41 orders came through for the Regt to take over a number of guard duties in the Cairo Sub-area from the 1st KRRC who were ordered into the field at short notice. This seriously interfered with training as the various guards and garrison employed personnel was over 200. However, a certain amount was still carried on.

The Regt also had to find a permanent guard consisting of 1 Sgt and 16 ORs for the POW camp at Warren Camp Abbassia where there were approx 120 Italian prisoners. Lt HS Cayzer was Commandant of this camp and an officer commanded the guard which changed ever 24 hours. This officer was permanently on duty and only left the camp for meals. A fatigue party of 20 prisoners worked in barracks every day and did their work cheerfully and well. This guard as well as all the Cairo guards and garrison duties were taken over by the Royals when the Regt received orders to move.

The Regt then received orders to move and left for Cyrenaica on April 5th. Major Smail remained behind as OC “Details” with Capt DPJ Lloyd MC as Adjutant (he was still on light duties owing to his wounds). Lt JEM Trayner (who had a back injury and was graded unfit for the Field) took over RHQ Details. Capt HLF Ward took over C Sqn Details. Capt P Arkwright (awaiting passage to Home Establishment) PMC and A Sqn Details. Lt HC Roberts (awaiting transfer to Trans-Jordan Frontier Force) was employed writing the War Diary. Capt W Wainman and B Sqn officers – less Lt WVH Gape MC who had been lent to RHQ and 2Lt AJL Smithers C Sqn and 2Lt L Jacobson A Sqn were left out of battle.

A Sqn.
Nil Reports

B Sqn.

5Tp Lt Dier was relieved at GHOT OGREIN 548354 by 1Tp Sgt Beard at 1130 hours. 3Tp Lt Halliday was in position at ILWET EL ANSUL 547358, with SHQ at 562364.
Sqn Ldr visited 7th Hussars patrols with Major Younger, as he did not consider the patrol on the Southern Road to be far enough forward to give our patrols warning of any enemy movements. The 7th Hussars patrols were then moved up North and South, level with the Sqn patrols. No movement seen during the day.

RHQ. A quiet day.

A Sqn.
At 0749 hours 1Tp reported 5 vehicles moving South from QUARET ABU SAYED. These were joined by 3 AFVs. Later this force was joined by 6 more AFVs. They remained in position a short while and then continued to advance. 1Tp retired, keeping contact, in a southerly direction.
At 0833 hours the vehicles were reported moving in the direction of KHREIGAT and at 0909 hours they were beyond KHREIGAT.
At 0916 hours 4Tp reported 6 MET and trailer in the SHEFERZEN area.
At 0933 hours 1Tp reported 3 AFVs 4 miles South of KHREIGAT, still keeping contact. At this time 5Tp were forced to withdraw, due to the advance of the other column. These vehicles continued to move South until they reached a point short of Pt. 207.
The two troops (5th & 7th) were subjected to a considerable amount of shelling whilst keeping the force under observation.
At 1203 hours 1Tp reported 3 vehicles NE of his position in the SHEFERZEN area, and at 1221 hours this Tp was pursued by 4 large fast vehicles. The 4 vehicles split into 2 groups of 2 and attempted to attack from both flanks, but thanks to the superior speed of our cars this was avoided and after a chase of 10 miles the enemy were left well behind and the Tp returned to SHQ for replenishing.
At 1230 hours SHQ moved 5 miles ESE.
At 1455 hours Troops reported that the enemy were being engaged by our guns and were retiring towards SULEIMAN.
At 1706 hours enemy again shelled 1Tp who were in close contact, and they retired slightly.
At 1930 hours all Troops reported that the enemy had retired to the SULEIMAN area, no movement seen.

B Sqn.
SHQ at 562364. 1Tp Sgt Beard at GHOT OGREIN area 548354 and 3Tp Lt Halliday at ILWET EL ANSUL 547358 until he was relieved by 2Tp Sgt Cameron at 1315 hours.
1Tp reported some movement on the HALFAYA track at 0956 hours, otherwise no movement seen by the patrols during the day.
Major Wainman visited both patrols at 1800 hours and returned at 2030 hours.

RHQ.
Lt Burrell returned to Cairo. Major Smail and Lt Crankshaw went down to Echelon. A Lysander dropped a message that we were being advanced on from 3 sides so we moved to a place 3 miles SW of BIR HABATA. A sandstorm during the night.

A Sqn.
Usual patrols only, no movement seen.

B Sqn.
SHQ at 562634. 2Tp Sgt Cameron in ILWET EL ANSUL area. 1Tp Sgt Beard at GHOT OGREIN until relieved at 1750 hours by 5Tp Lt Dier.
Visibility bad all day. 2Tp had moved about 2 miles during the day to conform to the position of the 7th Hussars.
No movement seen by our patrols.

A Sqn.
Usual patrols, no movement seen.

B Sqn.
Position as for 6-5-41. 3Tp Lt Halliday relieved 2Tp Sgt Cameron at ILWET EL ANSUL. No movement seen by our patrols.

A Sqn.
At 0620 hours SHQ moved to Pt. 203 514344. 1Tp took up a position at SIDI OMAR and 4Tp at BIR SHEFERZEN. 3Tp were co-operating with the Gunners in area SIDI SULEIMAN.
At 1030 hours 1Tp reported 4 vehicles coming through the gap at BP 47 and moving South still keeping contact. These vehicles retired in a northerly direction.
At 1149 hours 1Tp and 3Tp were bombed and machine gunned by two Me 110’s and suffered no casualties.
At 1230 hours 5Tp did a recce West of SHQ and encountered 2 Bofors who opened fire at 300 yards, fortunately they missed and Lt Spickernell retired slightly ruffled by whole.
At 1700 hours 5Tp left to relieve 3Tp. No movement seen.

B Sqn.
SHQ as previously. 3Tp Lt Halliday at ILWET EL ANSUL, and 5Tp Lt Dier at GHOT OGREIN until relieved by 1Tp Sgt Beard.
Owing to our activities on top of escarpment, 7th Hussars patrols on the North and South roads were pushed forward to the 532 Grid line. 3Tp conformed and was pushed forward to the ILWET EL SHISH line to watch the left flank while 5Tp were also ordered to pay special attention to the escarpment. No movement seen was seen by out patrols who remained in day positions for the night. 7th Hussars were still on the 532 Grid line on the North and South road. A second Breda car arrived with the Echelon.

A Sqn.
At 0735 hours 1Tp reported two 8 wheel ACs and two small ACs heading towards him.
At 0737 hours 5Tp reported 2 tanks on track 7 miles North of SULEIMAN.
At 0754 hours 9 tanks were on the East side of the wire, approx position at BP 46. This force was increased by ACs and was kept under observation by 1Tp, who later reported one 8 wheeler at SIDI OMAR and 2 small AFVs at Gap 46. 2Tp went to assist in this area.
At 0929 hours 5Tp reported 2 tanks and 1 AC at 510367.
At 0834 hours 2Tp reported 20 vehicles now at SIDI OMAR. This column came through the wire and came East.
At 0913 hours 5 Tp reported 7 Cruiser tanks in a disorganised formation being engaged by our artillery North of his position.
At 0914 hours 2Tp reported their column 1 mile East of SIDI OMAR. This column consisted of six 8 wheeled ACs, 1 staff car, 1 MC, 1 lorry with gun and 16 smaller AFVs. Head of column 2 ½ miles East of SIDI OMAR.
At 0940 hours a bad sandstorm developed and visibility was reduced to 50 yards. 1 & 2Tp had great difficulty in keeping the column under observation. When the column reached QARET ABU FARIS GHARBIYA, visibility became so bad that both Troops lost touch and had great difficulty in locating themselves.
5Tp was now ordered to withdraw 8 miles South from Xtracks and warned not to be cut off. Visibility remained bad until 1700 hours when 5Tp reported 7 tanks in SIDI SULEIMAN area. All Troops now on a line of observation of the track SIDI SULEIMAN – BIR SHEFERZEN.
Just after dark 5Tp who were still in observation of tanks at SIDI SULEIMAN, reported that they were being fired on by enemy tanks from the North and our own guns from the South. They were withdrawn out of the danger zone with great difficulty.
This had been a very trying day for everyone owing to the sandstorm and a very hot wind.

B Sqn.
SHQ at 562364. 1Tp and 3Tp in position as for yesterday.
1Tp reported having heard movement from the West during the night, but nothing was seen.
Sqn Ldr went up to 7th Hussars HQ at 0815 hours and they reported that HALFAYA PASS had been occupied top and bottom by the enemy after the activities on top of the escarpment on 8th May. 7th Hussars therefore moved back to normal position as did our patrols at 1100 hours.
At 1730 hours 2Tp Sgt Cameron relieved 3Tp Lt Halliday. 1Tp Sgt Beard reported hearing machine gun fire to his North at 1935 hours, and five minutes later 3Tp reported the same thing. Apparently firing was from the Australians who thought they saw things in the half-light. No movement seen.

A Sqn.
At dawn 5Tp recovered three RHA vehicles in the SIDI SULEIMAN area. 2Tp then escorted a Gunner party up to recover some more of their vehicles. During this operation they were heavily shelled from the North.
A quiet day, but still very hot.

B Sqn.
SHQ at 562364. 1Tp at GHOT OGREIN and 2Tp at ILWET EL ANSUL until relieved by 5Tp Lt Dier at 1655 hours.
At 1335 hours 7th Hussars on South road reported 2 AFVs at 540 Grid line. These came South of ALAM BARGHUT 538364 to see what was to their South. They were engaged by our artillery and retired.
At 1630 hours 2Tp and 6Tp mistook each other for the enemy and at 1630 hours 5Tp was being shelled by friends – this was stopped.
Tac R reported large MET concentration at CAPUZZO and on the BARDIA – TOBRUK road. Special orders were given to patrols to keep especial watch for movement but none was seen or heard.

A Sqn.
Whilst 1Tp was relieving 3Tp at BIR SHEFERZEN 2 enemy vehicles approached them from the North. These were engaged with small arms fire and the Breda gun which resulted in the capture of a small recce car. The crew escaped on the AC escort which withdrew very fast in a northerly direction.A very quiet day.

B Sqn.
2Tp Sgt Cameron at ILWET EL ANSUL and 5Tp at GHOT OGREIN.
3Tp Lt Halliday relieved 2Tp during the afternoon. There was no movement seen throughout the day.
7th Hussars who have been doing the North and South coast road patrols were relived at 0900 hours by the 3rd Hussars who were given the same task. 7th Hussars moved back to Cairo to re-equip.

A Sqn.
At 0415 hours 3Tp at ABU SAYID reported the movement of vehicles to his North.
At 0520 hours 1Tp at SHEFERZEN reported 20 vehicles moving South. At dawn when the visibility improved, 1Tp found they were following a column of 50 vehicles.
2Tp on the KHREIGAT track reported a column (enemy) moving SE to ALAM ARAD. 1Tp reported their column to be moving down the wire but at 0800 hours an ominous rumbling was heard in the vicinity of SHQ. Simultaneously two 4 wheeled ACs appeared about 400 yards to the North of SHQ who beat a somewhat hasty retreat to the SE.
2Tp having been relieved by C Sqn on the KHREIGAT track, were withdrawn South and ordered to rejoin the Sqn South of HAMRA. 1Tp and 4Tp were still in touch with the column which had so rudely moved SHQ and which was now approaching the track just North of HAMRA.
3Tp who had been in the centre were now completely cut-off to their East and SE. they were ordered to move South and make a detour as wide as was considered necessary. They succeeded in doing this and rejoined the Sqn late in the afternoon 6 miles South of SOFAFI. In the meantime the enemy column which was moving towards HAMRA had reached BIR DIGNAISH very quickly. Considering that they were only 2 miles behind SHQ over a distance of 17 miles, it is curious they did not shell or attack.
The Sqn was in observation of the HABATA – DIGNAISH track for the remainder of the day. The column at DIGNAISH slowly moved away West and NW.
Cpl Cornish was badly wounded in the hand by shrapnel. This was our only casualty, although 1Tp and 4Tp were shelled at frequent intervals by the HAMRA column.

B Sqn.
3Tp Lt Halliday in position at ILWET EL ANSUL and 5Tp Lt Dier at GHOT OGREIN.
At 0817 hours 3Tp reported a column of 36 MET consisting of tanks, ACs, guns and MCs in area BIR HAGIB 544359, shortly after 5Tp reported 9 MET to his West and 5 MET to his SW. all the MET were moving East and the two patrols withdrew keeping touch.
SHQ moved to ALAM SAMULUS 568361. 2Tp proceeded to ILWET ABU MAGHUD 565350 to watch the southern flank.
At 1000 hours all enemy vehicles appeared to be concentrated in the ILWET EL KURSI area 546360, but a ridge to the East of them prevented good observation. 3Tp was in contact the whole day with the enemy patrols that were pushed forward to the East of the main enemy position, and at one time 3Tp was shelled by 8th Field Regt RA who were positioned further East along the main road.
At 1500 hours 1 enemy tank and 3 ACs were seen stationary in the GHOT OGREIN area. 5Tp kept these under observation.
At 1800 hours 1Tp Sgt McCarthy proceeded with water and rations to 3Tp and then relieved 5Tp.
During the afternoon a column under Major Tuck RHA, consisting of guns and one Coy of the Rifle Bde moved into position near SHQ with a view to harassing and further advance of the enemy.
Situation at last light – enemy still in occupation of line BIR GIB – GHOT OGREIN. The 3rd Hussars had been operating to the road to the North all day. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Troops took up night positions on the 560 Grid line between the main road and the escarpment.Many Verey lights were seen during the night, which it transpired later, must have been the enemy retiring.

RHQ.
When the enemy advanced at first light, RHQ retired up the HAMRA – HABATA track. Lt Col Campbell had stayed the previous night and directed the movements of our own troops from the Rear link AC. On arrival in the HABATA area with the enemy not far behind a good deal of time was spent looking for the 4th RTR who had arrived the night before. Eventually they were found in the wadis, and were completely ignorant of the situation. They were galvanised into action, but as it happened the enemy did not come on.
RHQ went to RABIA, and spent the rest of the day and night there.

A Sqn.
During the night orders were received to the effect that patrols were to be pushed forward to the line we had been on before yesterday’s withdrawal. There was no news of the enemy occupying any position South of the line SHEFERZEN – SIDI SULEIMAN – BIR SUWEIYAT.1Tp and 3Tp were ordered to recce North. 1Tp up the KHREIGAT track and 3Tp to SHEFERZEN. This was done without any enemy being seen and 2Tp were sent forward to the centre position at ABU SAYID. On their arrival they were unsuccessfully bombed and machine gunned by two Me 110’s who later flew over SHQ who were on the move. They were not attacked.
At 1400 hours 3Tp reported 1 enemy AC and 1 small staff car SW of KHREIGAT. 3Tp engaged them, but they fled to the West. 2Tp from the centre pursued them but they were too fast and got away. Unfortunately they got through the wire South of SHEFERZEN and escaped.
SHQ returned to their old position at 516329.

B Sqn.
1Tp and 3Tp moved forward from their nigh position on to the 560 Grid line to ILWET EL ANSUL and GHOT OGREIN. They were held up by thick fog and it was not until 0830 hours that they could report that the enemy had retired during the night.
2Tp returned to SHQ at 0830 hours and relieved 3Tp in the afternoon.
No movement seen all day.
SHQ at ALAM SAMULUS 586361. The C Sqn patrol under Sgt Beard returned to C Sqn.

RHQ.Moved at first light to HABATA, the enemy having retired, and then back to HAMRA,

B Sqn.
SHQ at ALAM SAMULUS. 1Tp Sgt McCarthy in position at GHOT OGREIN and 2Tp Sgt Cameron at ILWET EL ANSUL.
3rd Hussars patrols on the main road pushed forward West at approx 0900 hours. 2Tp pushed forward 4 miles to cover their left.
At 1200 hours Lt Dier 5Tp relieved 1Tp.
At 1230 hours the Sqn Ldr was ordered to RHQ at HAMRA. The Sqn was ordered to move to HABATA at 1800 hours where it spent the night, less 5Tp and 2Tp who spent it at SOFAFI.
Lt Cunningham rejoined from CCS and took over command of 1Tp. 5Tp was under the command of 2Lt Burness during the day, at Lt Dier was sick.

RHQ.
The Colonel went off to BIR HABATA in the morning. A Me 110 came over at 1300 hours and dropped 4 bombs in our area but hit nothing.