May 1942

North Africa

At dawn the Italian Sabratha Infantry Div attempts to help Rommel by attacking the Gazala Line near Alam Hamza, but fails losing about 400 prisoners to the South Africans. About he same time Lt-Gen Ludwig Crüwell, Afrika Korps commander, is captured when his plane crash lands. The Trieste Div has succeeded in clearing a path through the minefields along the Trigh el Abd. This frees up the 90th Light Div to get back into action. Rommel's tanks however, are still scattered. The 21st Panzer joins late in the day after having engaged the 7th Royal Tanks. The British have consolidated their armor. The 2nd and 22nd Armored Brigades and the 4th Armored join up late in the day. Under Maj-Gen Herbert Lumsden's command, they launch a series of attacks. The Germans suffer more tank losses and Maj-Gen Gustav von Vaerst is badly wounded, but the Axis anti-tank gunners of the 90th Light and Ariete Divs inflict heavy casualties upon the British.

During the night of the 29th Rommel falls back slightly to link up with the Trieste Div taking advantage of the gap in the cleared minefield. His new position is protected on the north by the Sidra Ridge just north of the Trigh Capuzzo and to the south and east by the Aslagh Ridge northwest of Bir el Harmat. To the west he is faced with the 'box' manned by the British 150th Brigade in the area which becomes known as 'The Cauldron'.