Disengagement Under Fire DTO (id:#67264)

(ASL Journal #16 ID: J259)   [next]   [previous]

Prior Publication: KE 3

East of Bir Hacheim, Libya 1942-05-27 (13 others)

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Overview:

Rommel's attack on the Gazala line caught the British 4th Armoured Brigade by surprise. Initially leaguered east of Bir Hacheim, the Brigade's three regiments were slow to shake out of their night "coils" and move to prepared battle positions. The 8th Hussars paid the price for their lethargy, and were engaged by nearly the entire Panzer-Division 15 at their leaguer site. Although the Hussars-equipped with new heavily armed and armored American-built Grant tanks-inflicted heavy losses on the advancing Germans, sheer weight of numbers nearly wiped out the British force. The Hussars withdrew, leaving Panzer-Division 15 to continue its movement northward on a collision course with the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment. Under Lt. Col. Philip "Pip" Roberts, 3rd RTR was more prepared for battle than its neighbor to the south and, taking up positions on a low ridge, they took the German division under fire at a range of 1,300 yards. As with the Hussars, the Grants of 3rd RTR wrought havoc on the German force. However, the Germans had the advantage of numerical superiority: as soon as one panzer was knocked out. another moved forward and took its place. After more than an hour, the Grants were starting to run low on ammunition, and Roberts ordered a disengagement under fire-a difficult maneuver while Panzer-Division 15 was still attempting to move north.

Defender: British (A, B, and C Squadrons, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade)  

Errata (source)