Near Bir El Gubi on 3 December 1941 and the next moves

Rommel's move to the frontier had pinned down the 4th Armour Brigade, keeping them out of the action near Bir El Gubi on 3 December 1941. A force comprised of the 11th Indian Infantry Brigade, 16 infantry tanks from the 8th RTR, the 7th Medium Regiment RA, some of the 51st Field Regiment RA, and one battery from the 73rd Anti-Tank Regiment were sent against a position about six miles northwest of Bir El Gubi. The operation was commanded by Brigadier Anderson, the 11th Indian Brigade commander. He decided to make a night march and attack at first light from the west. They made the attack and captured part of the position. A second attack on 5 December failed to take the remainder of the position. Early on 4 December, the Germans attacked El Duda, but that position held. This is based on the account in Vol.III of the Official History