The 4th Armoured Brigade at Gazala in December 1941

Robert Crisp says in Brazen Chariots that the decision was made by the army commander to use the 4th Armoured Brigade to hit the Axis position at Gazala that had blocked an Indian division. The brigade drove forward at 9:15am to start their move 15 miles forward. They had a leisurely drive at 10 to 12 miles per hour. When Alec Gatehouse returned from his meeting with the army commander, fifty German tanks were seen approaching the brigade. The tank report turned out to be mistaken, as the "tanks" turned out to be camels, instead. Robert Crisp was feeling increasingly concerned about the immediate future. He had survived a series of battles since November, when the Crusader Battle had started. He was growing tired of the battle and seeing his companions killed in the process. He had so far escaped serious injury by small margins. Perhaps his time was running short. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.