Thought members might be interested in 3 R.T.R.'s war diary of the day. http://rommelsriposte.com/2014/09/25/totensonntagthe-experience-of-3-r-t-r/ All the best Andreas
That's a very readable account, isn't it. I'm intrigued by 'Grade iii petrol'. Anyone know what it was graded by? Contamination? Original octane/quality? ?
Vp Most American Tanks would splutter on British petrol as their gradings were different and so they had to be accommodated etc - the other nasty thing was that many were propelled by Aero Engines and after a prolonged wait with the engine off - had to be wound up - from the outside - few volunteered for that task Andreas - there is a better account of Tottensonntag in Barrie Pitt's original "Crucible of War " Cheers
Hi Tom Thanks for the pointer about the need for aero fuel. Regarding the account, I know there are numerous better overall accounts. This was just meant to be a micro-perspective of this crucial day from the perspective of one battalion, and it's a way to make unit records more accessible to the wider public By the way, thanks to Tom O'Brien for getting this for me!. All the best Andreas
Andreas, No problem, I picked up a couple more today - will sort out and then be in touch. Tom, Barrie Pitt's account is undoubtedly vivid, but in such a broad (and now somewhat dated) account he necessarily focusses on certain events. His account was also based on secondary sources (not his fault of course, as the war diaries weren't released to the public when he was writing). For example, he hardly mentions the Tobruk breakout after day one, whereas even a cursory reading of the war diaries of the units of TOBFORCE show both that they were determined to record their activities (detailed accounts, copies of op orders, great maps, etc) and that they went through a hell of a battle. Regards Tom
I'd thought I'd add a few more war diary extracts to this thread: WO169/1397 - 2 RGH 23 November 1941 M.R. 433395 D. 6. The early part of the morning was spent in reforming a composite Regt. referred to in conclusion D.5. 2 R.G.H. Squadron was composed as follows. The Regt. was not in communication with H.Q., 22 Armd. Bde. R.H.Q. – Major W.A.B. Trevor, Capt. R.E. Maunsell, 2/Lt. H.M. Muir, Rear Link to composite Regtl. H.Q. Sqn – Tank Commanders. Capt. M.G. Ling, Lt. N.H. King, Lt. E.J.S. Bourne, Lt. R.E. Adlard, Lt. E.H. Milvain, Lt. P.H. Cookson, Sgt. Vaughan, J., Cpl. Godwin, R. The following Officers went into action in a Scout Car:- Major D. Mc. D. Reinhold, Major H.J. Mylne. Tank strength – 17. 1030 22 Armd. Bde. composite Regt. was formed up in battle position facing South and West with 2 R.G.H. centre; 3 C.L.Y. right; and 4 C.L.Y. left, and their left flank the Support Group (“South African Group”). 1100 A considerable force of enemy tanks was seen refuelling to our West at a distance of 3 miles. This column then withdrew further West without being engaged. After midday, two large enemy columns advanced on our positions from East and West. A very heavy engagement ensued during which our own and enemy Artillery were very active. 2 R.G.H. were subjected to some very accurate shelling from enemy gun positions to the North on the escarpment. Control in this battle was difficult and the sequence of events obscure. At 1600 hrs the 4 C.L.Y. were engaged to East of “South African Camp”. This camp was now being attacked by German Infantry from area SIDI REZEGH and were withdrawing S.E. Many vehicles were on fire and R.G.H. tanks withdrew into the centre of S.A. Camp at dusk. The following officers were present. Maj. W.A.B. Trevor. Capt. R.E. Maunsell, Capt. N.D. Hart, Lt. N.H. King, Lt. R.E. Adlard, 2/Lt. H.M. Muir, with 4 tanks. These 4 tanks returned to Bde. H.Q. after dark, some 15 miles S.W. of our present position. Maj. Mylne, Maj. Reinhold, Lt. Milvain, Lt. Bourne, Lt. Cookson, Lt. Pitman were already at Bde having extricated themselves from S.A. Camp during afternoon. Lt. Crossman at this stage was unaccounted for. Lts. Adlard and Snell were missing at 2000 hrs. Regards Tom
WO169/1398 - 3 CLY 23 November 1941 At first light we completed the approach march and on arrival at 420401 Lt.Col. R.K. JAGO reported to Lt.Col. W.G. CARR and was ordered to take up a position on the left of the composite Regt. facing NORTH-WEST, and to be prepared to receive an attack from the direction of EL ADEM. Our task in general terms was to protect the left flank of the 5th SOUTH AFRICAN BRIGADE against an armoured attack from the NORTH-WEST. At about 1400 hrs it became clear that an enemy armoured force was moving NORTH WEST from the area 423395 and the composite Regt. was ordered to face about, the 3rd CLY now on right flank prepared to receive an attack from the SOUTH-EAST. Enemy tanks were observed in the area 423395 stationary and apparently refuelling. 1530 hrs the enemy tanks attacked and number was estimated at 60. In the ensuing battle we engaged the enemy at 800 yds range and all but FOUR of our tanks were destroyed. The battle culminated in a charge, led by Lt.Col. W.G. CARR from right to left across the enemy's front. The enemy did not relax his pressure and the surviving tanks rallied at approx 428400. At last light the enemy was seen to bring up his lorried Infantry and it appeared that the bulk of the 5th SOUTH AFRICAN BRIGADE had been overrun. The Officers taking part in the action were:- Lt.Col. R.K. Jago, MM TD, Major G.G.L. Willis, Capt. G.K. Barber (taken prisoner), Capt. A.W. Grant, Lieut. J.G. Caunce, 2/Lt. A.R. Lindsay (taken prisoner), 2/Lt. I.D. Zvegintzov and 2/Lt. R.O. Davis.
WO169/1399 - 4 CLY 23 November 1941 D.6. Just after moving into open lager and while refuelling a report was received that a large body of German Tanks was coming up on our left flank and attacking the S.A. Camp. This report was ill-founded but it set the American Tanks on the move. Further reports said that there were movements of enemy tanks to the west & north. The composite regiment from the Brigade under the Commanding Officer took up positions facing west. We were on the left flank with 2 RGH on our right and 3 CLY further north with a patrol out to the north looking out for the threat from that direction. Numerous reports were received of enemy tanks movements from S.A. Armd Cars. Ultimately about 1300 hrs a large force of German tanks came in sight from the west at the same time we were heavily shelled from the rear, our left flank and the right corner of the S.A. Div. Camp being the worst sufferers. As the German Tanks came forward we engaged them, B Sqn under Major Walker went in, out again and then in, the plan then to withdraw to the N.E. leaving our original position open for the S.A. gunners to have a good shoot at the enemy tanks left front. Owing to the steady advance of the enemy and the continued shelling from his rear we were never able to break off action with the enemy tanks. As they came forward and our own composite Sqn. under Major Walker engaged him on the left the Commanding Officer rushed to the right flank rallied the 2 RGh and led them in a glorious charge broadside across the enemy advance. Every tank driving its hardest. All the time our own artillery and the S.A. artillery were pumping into the enemy right flank. About 1630 hrs the enemy right flank was in to the S.A. Camp Area with tanks and Mech. Infantry. The remains of the Regiment were rallied on the S.W. corner of the S.A. Camp about 8 tanks in all and they all charged through rallying any tank that was met, against the German right flank, which seemed to be in disorder. All this time the main body of the S.A. Divsn. seemed to be getting away, only the gunners remained firing their last rounds. Although the forward elements of the enemy tank attack reached the S.A. Camp the final charge on the left flank turned the attack and allowed the main part of the S.A. force to get away. The final rush through the camp and German tanks was thrilling, with the Commanding Officer at the head, towards the end his tank was set on fire but he and Major Kidston got on other tanks and went on. Major Kidston’s tank again became knocked out and he had to spend the night in enemy lines eventually creeping out next morning on Lt. Melville’s tank. The battle on the right flank have been very severe and 2 RGH after their broadside charge and 3 CLY suffered many casualties. From what could be seen from our final drive through the enemies right flank there [sic: their] tank casualties were heavier than in any previous engagement. The S.A. gunners had been magnificent. We left about ten tanks on the battle field and the enemy losses must have been at least 20-30. The feature of the final charge was two scout cars, one towing the other, commanded by Major Lord Cranley coming out with about ten men hanging to each. A & B Sqns. each suffered casualties either dead or missing. Lt. Murdock having given up his tank to Lt. MacColl was not seen again. Lt. Sir A Tichbone and his crew did not come out with us but eventually turned up later having found the First S.A. Divsn. The remainder of the Regiment having rallied, lagered for the night with Bde about 7 miles south of the battle field, about 9 tanks in all, plus 4 from 2 RGH.
One thing I've never understood about the Stuart tank is why the early models at least did not have a fuel gauge. I spent the day today with volunteers and a Stuart tank and they check the fuel by lowering a marked stick into the fuel tank. (The Stuart is one the ex-Brazilian ones) Thank you all for the posted accounts!
And some RA diary extracts: WO169/1428 - 3 RHA 23 November 1941 Colonel and Lt GROVER rejoined R.H.Q. 0830 H.Q. 7 Sp Gp and 1 S.A. B Echelon were suddenly attacked from the east. Brig CAMPBELL rallied a large part of Sp Gp and elements of 22 A.B. approx 10 miles south and commenced shelling the German column, which replied for a time and then withdrew. “D” Bty and the two tps of “J” Bty that were left were part of the force that were cut off on the line of the southern escarpment, and they were heavily engaged throughout the afternoon. The S. Africans also suffered heavily. 1600 Brig CAMPBELL’s column moved N.W. and at: 1630 joined in the battle by shelling the enemy from Pt 183, 432388. “D” Bty and the two tps of “J” Bty were in the thick of the fighting. Major STEWART and two men on his gun were wounded, and were dressed by a M.O. on the spot. The M.O. was captured, however, and the wounded men left. Major STEWART managed to get on to a S.A. lorry, and was luckily found by R.H.Q. in leaguer that night. Lt YOUNG, Lt PASS and 2/Lts NICHOL and LEWIS all missing.
WO169/1439 - J Bty 3 RHA 23rd Nov. The intention for the day was to shell the aerodrome with O.P’s on the escarpment. This however was frustrated by an enemy attack put in round the S.E. corner of the Leaguer at about 0830 hrs. They had about 30 to 40 tanks in this attack of which many were Mk. II’s. Concentrated fire from 25 Pdrs and A/Tk guns of the regt. forced this attack to turn away and it is thought that the enemy lost between 10 and 12 tanks. During this action Lt. C.J.V. Young who was directing a portee, was seen to drop from a vehicle as though wounded by M.G. fire from a nearby German Tank. He did not rise again nor did a later search of the area reveal any trace of him. At about 1000 hrs “C” Tp, having found some more ammn, dashed away to the S. and shot up two German Lorries and brought back two German Staff Cars with prisoners. Meanwhile a defensive ring of guns had been placed around the large area covered by the very numerous S. African 3 Ton Lorries. Most of the S. African Infantry was dug in to the N. and to the N.W. of the area and the S., where most of Spt. Gp. guns were placed, had very few infantry to support them. “C” Tp. were placed to the N. to defend the O.P’s of the 51st Fld. Regt. while “B” Tp. were placed along with two troops of “D” Battery on the S.W. flank. About noon it was seen that a very large body of enemy M.T. and tanks were forming up to the W. They remained there for a considerable time, apparently refuelling the tanks. Unfortunately 25 Pdr ammn. was so short that it was not thought advisable to shell the position. All 2 Pdr guns were left porteed owing to the large area to be covered and the difficulty of knowing from which direction the enemy attack would develop. At about 1700 hrs the enemy attack started, coming out of the sun with artillery support and a smoke screen. It was seen that about 70 or 80 tanks were advancing against such a weight on such a small front our defence could not hold out, and “B” Tp. who were immediately in the path of the enemy advance suffered heavy casualties. All their portees were destroyed except one which came out of action on fire and was later repaired satisfactorily. Bdr Reeth, Bdr Taylor, and Gnr Chapman were killed, while Lt. J.K. Pass, Sgt Bettsworth and many others were taken prisoner, wounded, or missing. During “B” Tps last action on 23rd Nov. it was almost impossible to get a clear picture of what happened, but from stories told later by wounded it seems that at least three German tanks were hit and set on fire by the Tp. Gnr Marriott was later reported killed in action. “C” Tp. had meanwhile been moved to the second defence line of guns, which was on the E. side of the Leaguer. This long line of guns made up of “F”, “J”, “M” and “Jerboa” Batteries R.H.A. were faced with the difficult task of engaging the enemy as they advanced through the S. African Lorries and the smoke. However the hostile tanks turned N. Since darkness was falling the remaining troops of Spt. Gp. under Col. ??, R.H.A. withdrew through the New Zealanders to a point 15 [??] miles E. where they went into leaguer with Spt. Gp. HQ.
WO169/1429 - 4 RHA 23 November 1941 Considerable confusion at first light as the Regt was mixed up with S.A. Bde who should have been further WEST. Large enemy coln including tks appeared to EAST. Sp Gp HQ left and 4 RHA, less C Bty, were put under Comd S.A. Bde and allotted defence of N.E. sector of what became a square. Enemy Tks had halted SOUTH of this square with soft stuff behind them. 208 Bty 51 Fd Regt came under comd 4 RHA. At 1530 hrs enemy put in attack from SOYTH with tks and inf. Guns were swung round to meet this attack but large quantities of soft vehicles evacuated from middle of the area, so when the guns were turned round there was a gap of a mile between the left and rear of S.A. area. In smoke and dust it was hard to see what was happening, but eventually enemy tks appeared behind the S.A. and some hits were claimed. The S.A. Bde were overrun and majority killed or captured. Enemy tks did not come on, but the position was then attacked by infantry and subjected to heavy MG and rifle fire. All guns were got safely away and few casualties were suffered except in C Tp DD Bty all of whose vehicles less 1 x 15-cwt were put out of action and they were unable to get their guns out of action. 2/Lieut Dainty was killed and Capt. J.O.K. Denny seriously wounded and two detachments were all either killed or wounded. During the afternoon New Zealanders had come up on N.E. and the Regt withdrew to their flank in ase the enemy Tks came on, but only inf came on and when again under heavy rifle and MG fire the guns were pulled out; and eventually after a long night march by means of light signals and wireless rejoined HQ Sp Gp. This was the last occasion the Regt less C engaged enemy tks in large numbers. The gun positions were never attacked by tks (who would not come close) and no opportunity was given to fire A.P. shot at close range. For three days the tks had been engaged at ranges over 3,000 yards, the gun positions having been under constant fire from 75mm gun and 6-prs and often rifle and MG fire. Many deeds of heroism had been performed and the steadiness of all ranks under fire were most marked; many casualties had been suffered to men and vehicles, but no guns were lost except those of “C” Tp. Great work had been done in bringing up ammunition. On this day Lt (QM) Studley was reported missing while bringing up a coln of ammunition vehicles.
WO169/1455 - 60 Fd Regt RA 23 November 1941 Tanks attack the positions 0830, confused fighting followed throughout the day. Tanks and lorried infantry were actually on the gun positions in the late afternoon, the regiment was withdrawn under intense fire through the enemy, casualties were heavy and the regiment split into small units.
