0527_02: Round the Horn - PzC 11 El Alamein '42

SE of Bir Hacheim, May 27th 1942: "The first victim was the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade", as Mitcham in his book "Rommel's Greatest Victory," describes events. This unit was spread out over the southern flank, covering the area from Bir Hacheim to Bir el Gubi. Many of the men were eating breakfast when the Afrika Korps suddenly appeared at dawn. They, and their supporting units of armoured cars and artillery, were quickly overrun, while both the 8th Army and XXX Corps HQ seemed frozen with disbelief at the events that were taking place. One armoured brigade had even pre-planned their battle positions on ground of their own choosing, but events overtook them before they had an opportunity to occupy the positions. However, all did not go according to plan for the Afrika Korps either. The plan called for the Italian Ariete Division to capture Bir Hacheim (Dog's Well) from the 1st Free French Brigade, an opponent that Rommel and the Italians regarded as a rebel unit made up of Jews and Legionnaires......they were in for a big surprise! [Size, medium]