Towards evening

Robert Crisp had been sitting all afternoon, observing the big German force moving eastward. As the sun was setting, he was dismayed to see two German tanks headed his way. He called to his crew, and they got on board the tank. Robert instructed his driver, Whaley, to slowly reverse, so that they could try not to attract attention. Robert thought that the fire that they had used to brew up might have attracted the Germans. Suddenly, Robert's Stuart gave the tell-tale signal that they had run out of fuel. He was somewhat relieved when he saw the German tanks stop, about 400 yards away. Robert called on the radio, letting them know at the battalion, that he had run out of fuel. His new Squadron commander called to tell Robert that he would personally come and tow him in to camp. After "Withers" had arrived and hooked them up, they were being towed back. At that point, they realized that they had left their kettle and tea behind. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots. This seems to have been the evening of the 16th day of the battle, probably 2 December 1941.