Tuesday, August 30, 2005

The 7th Armoured Brigade and Support Group on February 5th and 6th

The 7th Armoured Brigade and the Support Group were sent off toards Soluch to prevent the Italians from retreating back towards Benghazi. The leading elements were from the 11th Hussars, and they found a fort that was blocking the way. The Support Group was lead by Brigadier Gott, who is well-known to us for his participation in the campaigns of later in 1941 and 1942. The 7th Armoured Brigade altered course to head for Antelat, to reinforce the 4th Armoured Brigade. On the 6th, leading elements of the Italians advancing on the road attacked the blockers. One squadron of the 2nd RTR fought with 12 M13/40's. Both sides moved to reinforce their side and the rest of the 2nd RTR was forced to move to more defensible ground, but eventually drove off the Italians who had lost 8 tanks. The British were taking losses as well. By 1:45pm, "the regiment withdrew to replenish". This is based on the account in To Benghazi.

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