Information about British soldier - Halfaya Sollum Cemetery

Hi all,

I'm seeking information about L/Cpl Albert Ernest Miller, #7908207 who was killed on the 22/11/1941. Apparantly he served in the Royal Tank Regiment.

I'm specifically after information about where he would have served with his unit before being killed, so I can plan an itinerary for his daughter who wants to visit his grave.

He is buried in Halfaya Sollum Cemetery.

Is there anything noteworthy (apart from the cemetery) to visit in the area?

Cheers,

Mat

 

Mat -
It would appear that L/cpl Miller was killed at the first battle of Sid Rezigh which was calamatious for British Tanks at that time - this was the day before the infamous Totensonntag ( Dead Sunday ) when a whole brigade of South Africans was wiped out by Rommel.

Brigadier "Jock" Campbell and Lt. Gunn won their V.C.s' in that action at Sidi Rezigh

The 7th Armoured Division in which he probably served either in 4th - or 7th Armoured Bdes or even 22nd Armoured Bde had - amongst them - the 4th/ 7th /2nd /and 6th RTR. His service record will note his battalion

The main area of that battle was in the region Tobruk - Sidi Rezigh - Halfaya and Sollum neither of which will ever see a heritage plaque for beauty.

Noteworthy ? - not really - liable to sandstorms - intense daily heat - and exceedingly cold once the sun heads west...another poster ' Kuno' lives near Tripoli and he can give current travel notes for that area.

Cheers

 

Mat - a bit more on the Halfaya area - since the war of course they have gone all Lybian and so nowadays - if you google maps - you will find strange names such as Tobruq - Adam I should think would be the old Sidi Rezigh - Kambout about the same - Amsa'd for Halfaya - and Salu'm for Sollum - check it out -it's still bare

cheers

 

A couple picture of Sollum 1941

 

And a couple of pictures of Hellfire

 

Owen & Mat - while there is no mention of either 44th RTR or 1st Armoured bde in the OB for the Crusader Battle this is not too surprising as they came under command of the New Zealand Div and so we have to look at their movements -

5th Bde Kiwis were attacking Fort Capuzzo on the 21st November - unsuccessfuly and 7th bde were heading towards Sidi Rezigh late on the 22nd arriving 15 miles short of Sidi Rezigh early on the 23rd - 'Totensonntag' - so it would appear that depending on which bde the 44th or his squadron was attached - L/Cpl Miller died between Fort Capuzzo and Sidi Rezigh...

This from Barrie Pitt's "Crucible of War " vol 1 ISBN 1-55778-232-6

Cheers

 

There isn't a history for the Royal Sussex for WW2, but I have the 4th Armoured Bde history which I will scan and post later. It has some maps in it.

 

Wow, I'm overwhelmed by the depth of knowledge on this forum. Thank you all for replying.

I think I'll probably just suggest to the lady that she visits her dad's grave and has a look at Hellfire Pass. That's probably as much as there will be for her to see.

Cheers,

Mat

 

Mat -
your friend would be well advised to journey to Cairo - and then traipse back to Sollum - now Sole'm - as Lybia is extremely difficult to enter - I have tried to get directions to the cemetery from CWGC but they don't seem to know where it is - Halfaya is a few miles east of Sollum and the cemetery is probably beween the two towns - I wouldn't go there without knowing exactly where it is .

My son is touring Egpyt - he's down at Luxor this week and he might be able to catch Sollum before he heads home - if so I have asked him to go there and take a photo or two - I am awaiting his answer now...
cheers

 

This is what was occurring about the time of his death.

18/11/1941
At 6am 'Operation Crusader’, the British Eighth Army's offensive to relieve Tobruk begins. Rommel, who arrives back from Rome that day, is caught by surprise, allowing the British XXX Corps to advance 50-miles and capture the axis airfield 10 miles south of Sidi Rezegh. The Germans, believing that the British are about to encircle Bardia, send the Afrika Korps on a wild goose chase in that direction.

20/11/1941
The British garrison is ordered to break out and link up with XXX Corps. However, Rommel, now realizing the threat sent the Afrika Korps to attack at Sidi Rezegh.

22/11/1941
A confused battle continues around Sidi Rezegh, with XXX Corps being forced to stop it advance towards Tobruk after the loss of many tanks and for the Tobruk break-out to be halted. Better news for XIII Corps though as it captures Sidi Omar and Capuzzo.

 

You may wish to speak to Kuno (a member). He lives in Libya and seems to know North Africa fairly well

Cheers
Andy

 

Drew and Spidge -
Think all that has been covered from my message # 7 in that L/cpl was with 44RTR and the thought is that he was killed somewhere beween Fort Capuzzo and Sidi Resigh in the advance by the Kiwi 6th or 7th Brigade ...

Kuno lives at Tripoli - a long way from there in fact the other end of Lybia

Cheers

 

Tom,

I was refering the the last part of Matt's post:
Is there anything noteworthy (apart from the cemetery) to visit in the area?


Cheers
Andy

 

My mother's cousin, Robert Meikle is also buried at Halfaya Sollum Cemetery - see the thread on Meikle Twins Durham Light Infantry.

I have found some drawings by the New Zealand Artist Jack Crippen of the area between El Alamein and Fort Capuzzo at Home | War Art Digitisation which you might find of interest.

My thanks to Kieron Hill for the photogaphs of Sollum and Hellfire appearing earlier in this thread. It was in 1941 that the Meikle twins died at Fort Capuzzo and so these are also of interest to me.

 

Drew -
Appreciate your comment hoiwever the drawing by the New Zealander of the junction of the roads to Tobruk - El Adam - Sollum would appear to sum up my contention that there was absolutely nothing noteworthy in the whole area - probably even the same to-day !

Cheers

 

Bobcat 14
Many thanks for locating - in the Meikle twins thread - the Halfaya - Sollum cemetery to the east on the coast road - must tell the CWGC as they don't seem to know where it is ....

Cheers