July 1942

North Africa

The first moves are successful. The South Africans carry out their tasks by 0120. By 0300 The Aussies are on Miteirya Ridge. By 0800 the 69th Brigade reaches Deir el Dhib. Cooperation with the armor then breaks down. The 2nd Armored Brigade holds back until the gaps in the minefields could be widened. The 50th Royal Tanks coming to aid the Aussies are repulsed by heavy anti-tank fire losing 13 Valentines. The infantry is left naked before the armor attacks. By mid-morning the Afrika Korps counterattacks supported by the 200th Infantry Regt of the 90th Light Div. Isolated, the 69th Brigade is driven back through the minefields having suffered 600 casualties. The 24th Australian Brigade is pushed of the Miteirya Ridge with 400 casualties.

During July the Aussies suffer casualties: 146 officers, 3070 others. The total casualty count for 8th Army total is over 13,000. The Axis lose about 7,000 prisoners, over 6,000 of which are Italians.

This would be the end of Allied offensives for the moment. On the 31st Auchinleck signals London that it would not be feasible to resume offensive operations before mid-September.