#22 - Dash to the Wire (24-27 Nov 1941) - PzC 04 Tobruk '41

Sidi Omar, 24 November 1941: German operations on 23 and 24 November stand in stark contrast to each other. On the 23rd, Cruewell's had executed a calculated, concentrated plan which had destroyed the 5th South African and all but completed the destruction of the armored units of 30th Corps. But Rommel on the 24th would throw it all away with a wild dash to the frontier wire. Believing that 30th Corps could be finished off with a rapid pursuit and that something needed to be done to halt the destruction of the Axis frontier positions Cruwell was ordered to rush to the Sidi Omar area, creating panic as he went. But the Indians were firmly established within the formerly Italian positions at Sidi Omar and most of the New Zealand division was nowhere to be found, two Brigades having been sent towards Tobruk. After several days of futile efforts, Rommel could no longer ignore the new developments back at Sidi Rezegh and the Afrika Korps turned west yet again. During this time 30th Corps had withdrawn south, instead of southeast as Rommel expected, and had been granted a much needed breather to repair and replenish.