![]() Ordering A Squadron’s Stuarts to protect the flank, Colonel Roberts moved the Grants into a battle line along a small ridge. ![]() Led by the 8 th Panzer Regiment, these were the tanks of the 15 th Panzer Division. Moving in lines of about 20 tanks, six to eight lines were visible before disappearing into the dust clouds. As the Grants closed up on the Stuarts, large numbers of Panzer IIIs and IVs were identified. They hardly had been moving ten minutes when the light squadron reported large dust clouds and numerous vehicles about three miles to their front. Thus, the British offensive in the center of the position at El Alamein on July 22 ended in disaster: in one day they lost more than 100 tanks and about 1,400 men as prisoners. As a result, the 23 rd Armoured Brigade was defeated by the approaching German 15.Pz.Div., and the New Zealand and Indian infantry were forced to withdraw. They went under continuous fire from anti-tank guns, and then hit a minefield. Then the Valentines of 40 th and 46 th RTR moved forward. As a result of the counterattack of the German 15.Pz.Div., the New Zealanders lost several hundred prisoners. However, as had happened more than once, the British tanks did not support their infantry in a timely manner. On the morning of July 22, after a fierce battle, the New Zealanders reached the El Mireyr depression, and the Indians broke into Deir el-Shein. On the night of 21/22 July, the 161 st Indian and 6 th New Zealand Infantry Brigades launched an offensive against Ruweisat Ridge and El Mireyr, which ended quickly and successfully. It consisted of 186 Valentine II and IV tanks, armed with 2-pounder guns. By the beginning of the first phase of the battle at El Alamein in July 1942, only the 23 rd Armoured Brigade was equipped with Valentines - one of seven brigades participating in the battle.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |