Addio Arriete DTO (id:#66698)

(Rally Point #20 ID: RPT196)   [next]   [previous]

Bir El Abd, Egypt 1942-11-05 (0 others)

Overview:

The Second Battle of El Alamein had been raging since 23 October. Now, Operation SUPERCHARGER (General Montgomery's operation to pursue and destroy the Axis forces at the Rahman Track) was in full swing. Despite Hitler's order to hold the line at El Alamein, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel made plans for the withdrawal toward Fuka. He directed the Italian Littorio and Trento Divisions to establish an anti-tank screen in an attempt to help their dismounted infantry escape. The British 10th Armoured Division was moving to exploit the break-through on the southern part of the Axis defensive line., thus threatening to encircle the nearly immobile Italian forces. Ariete's 8th Reggimento di Bersaglieri had established a sacrificial screen of 47mm anti-tank guns to buy some time for the Italian infantry fortunate enough to find transportation to retreat westward. Crusader and Grant tanks from the 8th Armoured Brigade were about to pierce the Bersaglieri anti-tank screen.

Defender: Italian (5° Battaglione, 8° Reggimento di Bersaglieri and 10ª Compagnia del XIII Battalione Carri Medi M13/40, 132° Reggimen00to, 132ª Divisione Corazzata "Ariete")  

Errata (source)