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Tel el Eisa: Defence of Tel el Eisa
Craig Tibbitts, Assistant Curator, AWM
Holding the coastal salient:
The Australian 26th Brigade Group at Tel el Eisa
10 – 16 July, 1942
'See that hill they're blowing Christ out of? That's the Hill of Jesus ...' 1
Introduction
The struggle for North Africa saw both Axis and Allied fortunes rise and fall in the first two years of the campaign, 1940 and 1941. The Axis forces would advance and drive the Allies back, only to have this reversed with the Allies driving forward. And so it continued, sweeping back and forth across the wide expanse of the desert. In May and June 1942 however, the pendulum swung sharply in favour of the Axis. By the end of June, the Axis Forces led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had forced the Allies back deep into Egypt, and the capture of Cairo and the Suez Canal seemed a very real possibility.
The Allies now pinned all their hopes on their new defensive position near the tiny railway stop of El Alamein. Here, the battlefield narrowed between the coast and the impassable Qattara Depression, forty miles south. Rommel, wanting to maintain the pressure made another thrust on 1 July, hoping to break through the Alamein position and open the way to Cairo and Suez. The Allies however had regrouped sufficiently to repulse this attack and make some counterattacks of their own. During these first days of July, the fate of the whole campaign hung in the balance. Both sides, by now critically weakened and disorganised, missed opportunities for decisive victories. Both now took time to reorganise and lick their wounds.
It was at this critical moment that the Australian 9th Division which had been rushed back from Syria arrived at the front. With both sides so weary and depleted, the Australians provided a badly needed injection of fresh troops. The Allied commander, General Claude Auchinleck decided to put them straight on the offensive.
Before dawn on 10 July, 9 Division's 26 Brigade launched an attack on the northern flank along the coast and succeeded in taking the important high ground near Tel el Eisa. Intelligence had revealed that the Italian Sabratha Division which was holding the coastal sector was low in morale, poorly dug in and not alert. This proved to be correct because the attack was an overwhelming success. Even a flare that illuminated 2/48 Bn as they were almost upon the first Italian positions on Point 26, failed to rouse a response. The Italians apparently had not a single man keeping watch.
Another bonus that intelligence had not revealed was the presence of Rommel's best intelligence gathering unit, the 621st Radio Intercept Company. This highly valuable unit was also surprised and overrun, losing virtually all its men and equipment, killed or captured. This was a severe blow that deeply angered Rommel. Compounding his problems, the attack had also caught Rommel somewhat off guard. He had been busy concentrating his forces for a renewed offensive at the southern end of the Alamein line.
The area the Australians had taken included the coastal ridge from Point 26 up to Trig Point 33 and extended from the coast, south to the railway line. The surrounding terrain was flat and open, offering little or no cover.In such a flat expanse, ridges and rises a mere twenty or thirty metres above sea level give commanding vantage points to their occupants. The height advantage is so slight that one can scarcely appreciate it until actually upon the feature. 26 Brigade began the difficult task of digging in while reinforcements of artillery, anti-tank guns and machine guns were quickly brought in.Now would come the inevitable response; an all out counterattack to retake this vital ground. Over the next seven days, holding this salient would prove extremely tough, with some places changing hands several times. At times the shelling on Tel el Eisa itself made it too hot for either side to occupy. To the Australians, it became known as the 'coastal battle' or just 'Tel el Eisa'. 2
Rommel was very concerned over the lost territory and resolved that it must be retaken at once.A penetration in this sector could mean a rapid Allied exploitation up the coast road upon which his own supply lines were dependent. This threatened his entire front. Rommel wrote at the time,
'... we were awakened at about 0500 hours by the dull thunder of artillery fire from the north. I at once had an inkling that it boded no good. Presently came the alarming news that the enemy had attacked from the Alamein position and overrun the Sabratha Division, which had been holding the line on either side of the coast road... there was a serious danger that they would break through and destroy our supplies ... the attack from Qaret el Abd [Bab el Qattara] had to be cancelled ... I was compelled to order every last German soldier out of his tent or rest camp up to the front ... the situation was beginning to take on crisis proportions.' 3
Rommel rushed some armoured battle groups up from the south. His plan was to cut the Australians off from the Alamein box and destroy them. His first attempt to do so was spoiled by artillery, including batteries of South African, British and Australian guns. Overhead, planes from the Desert Air Force (DAF) added their firepower.Apparently well ensconced and supported by plenty of firepower, 26 Brigade Group would take some shifting, and Rommel had to deliver a well-coordinated and powerful counterattack.
Looking West-Southwest from Trig 33. This photo (taken in Sept. 2002) shows the flatness of the terrain and he commanding view offered from this point. German attacks came in from the direction shown. (Author's collection)
Adapted from a 1942 trace of El Alamein fronts showing the advance of Australian 9 Division in the early part of July 1942. (AWM54, 526/6/8)
At 11:00, five German tanks attacked 2/48 Battalion that had hastily dug in along the railway.The tanks stopped in front of the battalion's positions and raked them with fire. Heavy artillery and Stuka dive-bombers joined in but the battalion stayed put and withstood the onslaught. While the Stuka attacks were not very effective, the artillery was bursting over the men's heads, showering them with fragments.Casualties occurred, as they didn't yet have overhead cover for their slit trenches. One machine gunner, 'Skinny' Anderson was seen holding his shovel over his head as he crouched to answer the call of nature, no doubt hoping for some measure of protection!
At 14:30 that afternoon, the Germans again attempted to drive them out. This time there were ten tanks, which managed to get in amongst the 2/48 positions. The tanks rumbled around the area caving in the defender's trenches with their tracks, and generally tried to intimidate the Australians into abandoning their positions. Aptly named machine gunner Morrie Trigger remembered a German tank commander yelling down to him 'Hände Hoch! – Hands Up!' Trigger ignored the command and narrowly escaped death by lying flat at the bottom of his slit trench. 4
And from another account,
'The tank stood over us, looking a tremendous size in the fading light. A German poked his head out of the turret and yelled: "Come out and lift your hands up."... Mick Riley, who was a really good soldier, yelled back "Shut up you squarehead, I'll get you." Ted whispered to Mick, "Don't tease him, let him go home."We held our fire and the tank moved off.' 5
Sergeant 'Tex' Weston and Corporal 'Spud' Hinson led other men of 2/48 Bn against the tanks.Both were later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for knocking out tanks with grenades and capturing their crews. Fortunately, anti-tank guns arrived on the scene and knocked out one particularly troublesome tank. The crew baled out and made a run for it. Sergeant Gus Longhurst, a big Rugby forward, picked up a Vickers heavy machine gun and chased after them.A burst of fire convinced them to surrender.
The 2/48th was attacked six times by tanks that afternoon. 9 Division's commander, Lieutenant General L J Morshead had taught his men in Tobruk the previous year, how to handle this sort of situation.They learned that if enemy tanks broke through their positions, they should not be overly concerned, more importantly they should stay put and concentrate on preventing enemy infantry coming through in support of the tanks. The artillery and anti-tank guns further back would deal with the tanks. The Australian infantry overdid their job that day, because they did get out of their holes, not to run, but to have a crack at the tanks themselves.
This tactic worked well, because tanks cannot afford to hang about trying to force infantry out of their holes. They have to keep going to exploit the breakthrough, the speed of their advance putting them quickly amongst the enemy's artillery, command and communications, where they can create havoc. Tanks also prefer to keep on the move to reduce their chances of being hit, especially where the terrain offers little cover. Additionally, tanks have a problem if an enemy is allowed to get close to them, their visibility suffering from numerous blind spots as well as the dust. Without supporting infantry, tanks can find themselves quite vulnerable and usually have to turn back. 6
At 17:00 Rommel's counterattack shifted its focus to Trig 33 where 2/23 and 2/24 Battalions were dug in.Approaching from the west were eighteen Italian tanks. These soon ran into difficulties however, hampered by soft ground and good shooting from the anti-tank gunners. Fourteen tanks were knocked out. Later, nine more approached from the south but were also repulsed. During this action, Gunner Bombadier J T McMahon bravely placed his gun in the open to engage them.Despite he and all his crew being wounded, they knocked out two of them.
2/2 Machine Gun Battalion also played their part here, spraying the tanks with bullets, forcing them to close down their vision slits and preventing the commanders from standing in their turrets to obtain a better view.
Between 20:00 and 21:00, the Germans made the day's final attempt on 2/48 Battalion's positions near the railway station, and again broke through the forward defences.Anticipating the likelihood of a German breakthrough, the battalion was ready to respond. The reserve companies immediately launched a counterattack.
From the diary of Corporal Tom Derrick, 7
'... We were to move forward in one long extended line, cross the railway line without a sound and on a shot from the OC we were to open up with everything and continue to advance firing as we went and calling out "Come on Australianoes." ... from the din of the Light Machine Guns, Tommy guns, rifles and grenades, also the blood curdling cries of advancing men, the enemy must have thought there were thousands and I think the Australianoes business helped a lot.'
This counterattack routed the Germans and restored the battalion's positions.
An Australian machine gun post near El Alamein in July 1942. The forward troops had to endure cramped conditions in slit trenches during the heat of the day, as movement above ground was impossible due to enemy fire. (AWM 041952)
11 July
Next day at 06:30, 2/24 Battalion supported by part of the 44th Royal Tank Regiment seized the eastern end of Tel el Eisa and by midday had taken the whole feature.They took five hundred more prisoners here. This caused Rommel to commit almost every piece of artillery he had to this sector. So began the pounding of Tel el Eisa.
Bombadier Eric Atkinson remembered 11 July as 'the longest day of his life.' He was manning a communications Bren gun carrier that was being continuously shot at by German anti-tank guns, including the dreaded 88s. He said he felt like he was 'standing before a firing squad.' He manned the vehicle for many hours that day, surviving several near misses.
12 July
All next day, the whole salient was pounded relentlessly. Then around 18:00, there were signs that a big counterattack was coming. Out to the west of Trig 33, men of the German 104th Motorised Infantry Regiment were seen coming on in waves, over 2000 strong.
Corporal Vic Knight quickly moved his section of Vickers guns into position. Here, they poured fire into the advancing ranks and with the artillery gradually cut the attack to ribbons. Knight stood in full view of the enemy directing his section's fire, while Lance Corporal Ron Allenden yelled to his infantry mates, 'Stay in your holes! Keep your bloody heads down! Knight was awarded the DCM for his work that day.
The machine guns fired 80,000 rounds that evening, the men having to urinate on the barrels to cool them off. Meanwhile one artillery unit, 2/8 Field Regiment, had fired 9000 rounds, seeing the muzzles of their 25 pounders glowing red hot as darkness descended.
A quote from a unit history on this attack,
'Up and down the line of advance the guns played, tossing bodies and bits of bodies in all directions. Even to the hardened defenders it was a sickening sight, and at the height of the battle men found time to feel sympathy for a courageous enemy.' 8
The German Infantry were certainly courageous in their attack, however for their commanders to launch such an attack while it was still light over such open ground, knowing the fire they would be subjected to, was surely stupid and wasteful. An Australian patrol early next morning counted around 600 Germans dead on the field.
Gunners of 2/8th Australian Field Regiment firing a 25-pounder during the July battle. Artillery was used at El Alamein on a massive scale, supporting the infantry when they went forward, and protecting them when they were attacked.(AWM 024513)
13-14 July
On the 13th, Rommel again shifted his point of attack, this time angled straight in at the Alamein box, bypassing the Australian salient. Tanks of the 21st Panzer Division were seen forming up for the attack and again every piece of Allied artillery in the area came down upon them.The attack broke up before they even got close.
Next day, the 14th, Rommel sent the 21st Panzer in again, this time directed at Tel el Eisa. In the afternoon, an air attack went in, then infantry supported by tanks. The attack was poorly coordinated though, coming too long after the air attack had finished. Fighting was intense, but the two companies of 2/24 Bn managed to hold them off.
But the Germans persisted into the evening. Attacking again, they eventually broke into the Australian positions here. Once more the tanks began caving in the Australian slit trenches. One memorable sight was that of Private Allan Dwyer standing fully exposed, digging out his mates who had been buried in their hole. Despite their resistance, the Australians were overwhelmed and forced to abandon the hill.
Another dangerous situation occurred that night when more German tanks managed to break through, crossing the railway and pushing on towards Pt 26. The artillery engaged them, the range dropping as the tanks came closer and closer. The artillery inside the salient was actually ordered to prepare to withdraw, but the tanks were soon forced back. As they retreated, concealed anti-tank guns ambushed them.Gunner Spittle destroyed three with as many rounds before he was killed. Sergeant Muffett and Warrant Officer Digby were also busy destroying eight more tanks.
From a German account of this action,
'To the railway embankment, all went well, then all hell broke loose.Anti-tank fire from front, right and left. Up we get then our one hundred men storm the enemy, their positions recognisable only by the flash of their firing. They are damned close! In the fine, brown sand it is difficult to press forward. The panzers veer left and right.Again we lay alone, in a hedgehog formation – heavy infantry and the artillery fire comes down. Our nerves are worn out...' 9
Rommel wrote that evening,
'... our units fought their way forward ... as far as the area between the road and the railway, where the attack came to a halt. Fierce fighting followed with the Australians, whom we knew only too well from the time of the Tobruk siege, and lasted well into the night. 10
Tel el Eisa railway station after the battle. It was the scene of fierce fighting on the evenings of 10 and 14 July when the Germans penetrated the positions of 2/48 Bn.Wrecked German vehicles are seen scattered on the otherwise barren landscape. (AWM 013347)
15-16 July
Rommel intended to continue the previous day's attack on the morning of the 15th, however Auchinleck launched an attack on Ruweisat Ridge, several miles to the south, on the night of the 14/15th, and penetrated the positions of the Italian 10th Corps. This relieved some pressure on the Australian sector as part of the 21st Panzer Division was shifted there to plug the gap.
Despite his concerns further south, Rommel was still determined to destroy the coastal salient. On the morning of 15th, four separate attacks by tanks with hundreds of infantry were directed at Trig 33.Again the defenders repulsed them destroying 10 tanks and causing heaving casualties upon the German infantry.
Early next day, the 16th, 2/23 Bn retook Tel el Eisa in a well carried out operation that yielded another six hundred prisoners, mostly Italian. Yet again, they were shelled and mortared there so persistently that the position soon had to be evacuated. A week later the Australians took Tel el Eisa once more, this time for good.
Conclusion
The 26 Brigade Group showed great skill and determination in holding this important salient, particularly over those first seven days, 10-16 July. While the DAF and the British, South African and Australian artillery was of invaluable support, the tenacity of the men in the front lines determined that the position would not fall. Rommel threw all he possibly could at them for a week; artillery, dive-bombers, tanks and infantry.The Australians lost some ground and even had the enemy penetrate the heart of the salient, but they always retook what they lost, and dug in again with renewed determination. Only first class troops could stand that sort of ordeal.
The salient remained a dangerous thorn in Rommel's side. Having given up hope of success in the north at Tel el Eisa, he launched his final bid to break the Alamein line, further south at Alam Halfa Ridge at the end of August. His new adversary Lt General Montgomery who had replaced Auchinleck, repulsed this attack convincingly. The Australians continued to hold the coastal sector around Tel el Eisa. It would be from this key position that they launched their attack on 23 October. On this day the Second Battle of El Alamein opened, in which ultimately the Eighth Army delivered a crushing defeat to Rommel's Afrika Korps.The pendulum had now swung irreversibly in favour of the Allies.
Finally, a quote from Private Harry Frazer that sums up the fighting around Tel el Eisa in July.
Dear Mother and Dad,
'... We have been in action in the desert again, and it has been action of a kind the like of which we have never seen before – Tobruk was a picnic compared to this, it is real war, with the spurs on...' 11
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