North AfricaMaj-Gen Herbert Lumsden wishes to mount further attacks on 'The Cauldron', but not with armor alone. He wants to bring up infantry to deal with the Axis's anti-tank guns. This takes time and no pressure is applied on Rommel on the 31st. Lt-Gen Neil Ritchie wants to attack during the night, but his corps commanders, Lt-Gen William Gott and Lt-Gen Willoughby Norrie, ask for a 24-hour postponement to coordinate the armor, infantry and artillery. There is no hesitation from Rommel, however. He attacks the 150th Brigade with the 15th Panzer, 90th Light and Trieste Divs, supported by heavy Stuka raids. Surprise is achieved because the supply vehicles moving back through the minefields had been observed by the British. Poor communications prevent the news of this advance becoming known to the main body of the 8th Army. Brig C. W. Haydon's 3 battalions, the 4th East Yorkshires and the 4th and 5th Green Howards are left alone to fight it out. They are supported by the 124th Field Regt and 30 Matildas of the 42nd and 44th Royal Tanks from the 1st Army Tank Brigade which had been with Haydon since the 29th. They resist all day and by nightfall have only 13 tanks left, most of the guns have been destroyed and the infantry out of ammunition. |