Rommel's First Offensive — March, 1941

The disaster, of December, 1940, to the Italians brought immediate reinforcements from Germany and General Rommel was given com­mand. The situation of the Desert Army invited attack. With over 1,000 miles of communication back to Cairo, it was only possible to maintain a small force at Agedabia and all units were in need of rest and refitting. The German-Italian force under Rommel was compara­tively near its base at Tripoli, with fairly sure communications over-sea to Italy at the time.

At the end of March Rommel attacked with easy success. The British retreat only stopped on the Egyptian frontier, but Tobruk was held.

The 1st Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel S. C. F. De Salis, was refitting at Cairo when the attack began and was immediately ordered to the front. It reached Barce by forced marches, only to act as rearguard to the retreat, which ended at Sollum.

After two abortive attempts to relieve Tobruk, one in May and one in dune, both armies spent the summer building up their strength. During these months the 1st Battalion was with the Support Group and was kept actively patrolling and harassing the enemy.

In mid-September Rommel made a reconnaissance in force, in which the Battalion inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.

Second British Offensive, November 1941 — Relief of Tobruk

General Sir Claude Auchinleck had succeeded General Wavell as G.O.C.-in-C. in November. His plan was designed to relieve Tobruk, clear Cyrenaica and advance to Tripoli. The offensive started on 18th November. Tobruk was relieved and the enemy fell back all the way to El Agheila.

The 1st Battalion started the campaign with the 7th Armoured Division (Major-General Gott), which was to cross the Libyan frontier in the south, turn north and engage the enemy's three armoured divisions behind his front. The Battalion moved as a column with other arms under command.

Sidi Rezegh - 21st November 1941

The battle was soon joined and on the morning of 21st November, three days after the advance began, orders were received for the Battalion to attack and occupy the area of the landing ground at Sidi Rezegh.