The fifth day of the Crusader Battle for Robert Crisp

The first half of the fifth day of the Crusader Battle saw the Stuarts off on three "wild-goose chases". There was never even any time for brewing tea. By 1:30pm, the entire 3rd RTR, with C Squadron in the lead, was to head off "on a bearing of 283 degrees". The Battalion CO told them that other British tanks were under attack, and needed their support. The battalion was short of men and tanks, so the organization was rather ad hoc. Another officer was acting as Robert's troop sergeant. Instead of another wild-goose chase, the bearing lead them towards an ongoing battle. They could see columns of smoke, and tanks moving. They were the remnants of the 4th Armoured Brigade. With the 3rd RTR, they now numbered about 100 tanks, the largest armoured force left in 30th Corps. They found that they were headed for the battle at Sidi Rezegh. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book, Brazen Chariots.