Rommel is back and is attacking

Rommel was desperate to push the British out of the German and Italian defenses. The British had caused a bulge into the German and Italian line that greatly concerned Rommel. Rommel called Trig 29 by a different name: "Hill 28". Rommel sent units from the 15th Armored Division, the Littorio Division, "and a Bersaglieri battalion". They used all the artillery that was close, including anti-aircraft guns. They had great difficulty in pushing the British back from where they were located. As Rommel put it: "Rivers of blood were poured out over miserable strips of land".

To the enemy, the 1st Armoured Division seemed to be pushing "northwest towards the coast road". The enemy made continual attacks against the British forces in the north. The British held their ground, partly tanks to artillery support. The fighting on 27 October was particularly intense with the sounds creating rising and falling sound over the day.

Two Australian battalions, the 2/24th and 2/48th were hit hard on both the 26th and 27th mornings. British counter-battery fire directed from Trig 29 was effective enough to force the enemy to move their guns. They were also firing on enemy forces that were trying to form up for an attack. Lieutenant Menzies did good work with his observation post that was pretty out in the open. The Australians came to appreciate Trig 29 more as they could see for "4,000 to 5,000 yards in every direction".

The enemy attempted to attack Trig 29 with some 300 infantry "on the afternoon of 26 October". They were forced to move by artillery fire. At that point, the 2/48th Battalion "had three field regiments and one medium regiment on call". That was more than sufficient to protect the battalion. The enemy also attacked the 20th Brigade on 26 October. They made three attempts with tanks and infantry. The 2/13th Battalion was the target. They which were seasoned veterans of the war in North Africa. This is based on the account in Vol.III of the Australian Official History.