#09 - The Hunting Horn (19 November 1941) - PzC 04 Tobruk '41

Bir el Gubi, 19 November 1941: British intelligence estimates clearly identified the Italian Armored Division Ariete, as the only Axis Division brought up to full strength after the summer's fighting. But 30th Corps thought of Ariete with nothing but contempt, even to the point of excluding their 130+ tanks in their strength comparisons. Covering the western flank of the advance toward Tobruk was the British 22nd Armoured Brigade, fresh from England, and also at full strength with 150+ of the new Crusader Tank. However, the three Yeomanry Regiments had never before been in combat, and the brigade lacked any real supporting infantry. About midday on the 19th, the brigade bumped into the Ariete's screening forces and events were set into motion that were completely contrary to 30th Corps' plans. The Yeomanry Regiments attacked in typical Balaclava style, charging directly into the Italian Bersaglieri infantry, heavily supported by anti-tank guns and artillery. The �lan of the British carried them in to the Italian lines and, as had been expected, the Italians were on the verge of collapse. But once the Italians realized that there was no British infantry to accept their surrender, they quickly returned to their guns to "shoot the 22nd up their backsides". North of the infantry, the Italian armored regiment counter attacked and severely mauled the 3rd County of London Yeomanry. Action broke off, with the early darkness, and 22nd Brigade retreated to laager for the night and to count its wounds. Their daily report to Division stated that losses on the 19th to all causes, and the Crusader was notoriously unreliable, was 50% of their initial strength. Not a good beginning against an enemy force that wasn't even considered in the calculations.