Alamein To Tunis - The Pursuit after Alamein

On 4th November Rommel began the retreat which was to end in the destruction of his army in Tunisia. General Montgomery set his whole force in motion in pursuit.

The 1st Battalion headed the pursuit along the sea coast. No unit in the Army knew this role so well. Every place and name was familiar to it — Fuka, Sidi Barrani, Buq-Buq, Halfaya, Gazala, Derna, Barce, Benghazi, Agedabia and Agheila. Wherever the enemy stood he was attacked and the pursuit continued.

The enemy's next serious stand after El Agheila was 200 miles farther west, at Buerat. The British attack here took place on 15th January.

Soon after crossing the border into Tripolitania, at the end of December, the Battalion pulled out for a short rest. Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Corbett-Winder took over command and the Battalion joined the 7th Motor Brigade in place of the 2nd Battalion, which was transferred to the 4th Armoured Brigade.

The 4th Light Armoured Brigade included, besides the 2nd Battalion two armoured-car regiments and a Horse Artillery regiment. This fine brigade was soon on the move towards Tripoli.

The Fall Of Tripoli - 23rd January 1943

During this advance the 2nd Battalion, with the rest of their Brigade, operated in a sweep of about 170 miles through the hills to the south of Tripoli. After a highly successful brush with German tanks near the village of Beni Ulid, the Battalion and an armoured car regiment were the first British units to sight Tripoli. This forced march was across most difficult country and the speed with which it was made led to the fall of the town.

Battle Of Mareth - 20th to 29th March 1943

The pursuit from Tripoli to Mareth, some 200 miles, was through hill country difficult for motor battalions with their numerous vehicles. At Mareth Rommel had occupied a strong defensive position on the line fortified by the French many years before. It was defended by numerous minefields. General Montgomery's plan was to attack the centre of the position while the New Zealanders, later joined by the 1st Armoured Division, made a wide encircling movement to the south of El Hamma. This was completely successful, the enemy retreated and the pursuit went on.