Immediately after Sidi Rezegh and “The Sunday of the Dead”
After the destruction of the 5th South African
Brigade by the Panzerarmee Afrika on the 23rd November, the 1st
South African Brigade had to retreat to Taib el Essem, where it beat off
determined Axis attacks on 25 November. On
the same day, the brigade had to retreat further, but on 28 November again had
to advance to support the New Zealand Division's attack on Sidi Rezegh. After being further involved in heavy
fighting between 30 November and 1 December the 1st Brigade again
had to retreat south to Taib el Esem. On
20 December, they were sent back to Egypt to recuperate.
In the meantime the 2nd South African Division was detached
to the 13th Corps and participated in the fighting at Bardia, Sollum, Cova and
Halfaya. The 3rd and 4th Brigades
participated in the heavy fighting in the capture of Bardia on 2 January 1942. A total of 7 775 prisoners of war were taken,
while the South Africans lost 353 men. On
12 January the 6th South African Brigade captured Sollum and on 17 January, the
Axis forces at Halfaya surrendered. During
the operations at Bardia, Sollum, Cova and Halfaya, the 2nd South African
Division lost 500 men, killed, wounded or taken prisoner of war.
The Expansion of the War to Include Japan and the USA
With Japan's (and the USA) entry into the war in December
1941 and an increase in the activities of German U-boats in the southern oceans
brought the war closer to South Africa – there was a danger that the Axis
forces could threaten traffic along the Cape sea route. In spite of these developments, Genl Jan Smuts
was adamant that the Union Defence Force's largest contribution should still be
in the Middle East. Thus, according to
him, the Union had to contribute as much as possible to the effort to defeat
Field Marshall Rommel's forces.
NOTE TO READER: The SAUDF’s Harley-Davidson’s have been used for
more than a year in the East African, the Madagascar and the North Africa
Campaign BEFORE the USA was sucked into WW2 following the attack of Japan on
Pearl Harbour. Logically, the SAUDF were
using their Harley-Davidson’s in combat months before the USA entered the
war. Some of the Canadian forces might
have been equipped with Harley-Davidson’s, but the Harley-Davidson WLC’s for
the Canadian Defence Force was only ordered in 1942 and supplied to the
Canadian Defence Force in 1943 onwards. Hence
my view that the SAUDF’s Harley-Davidson’s were the first Harley-Davidson’s in
WW2 to be seriously used in combat.
Between January and March 1942, the two South African divisions were used to strengthen the defensive lines of the 8th Army in Libya. The 1st Division was deployed at Gazala. The division consisted of the headquarters, the 1st Brigade, 2nd Brigade and the Polish Carpatian Brigade. On 21 March, the 3rd Brigade was transferred from the 2nd to the 1st Division, while the Poles were placed under command of another formation. From 10 March 1942, Dan Pienaar, now a major general, was the officer commanding the division. The 2nd South African Division moved to Tobruk at the end of March. A South African, Major General R.B. Klopper, was placed in command of the garrison of 33,000 men, of which more or less a third were South African soldiers.
Crisis in the Desert
American forces would only be available for North Africa by
the end of 1942. The implication of this
was that British forces had to be deployed on three fronts, namely Egypt, the
so-called Northern Front (Syria, Iraq and Persia) and India. At the same time, any Axis success on any of
these fronts would weaken the other fronts for the British. Thus, Churchill put pressure on Genl. Auchinleck
to attack as soon as possible as victory in the Western Desert would ease
pressure on the Persian Gulf region and India.
It would also neutralise the series of defeats inflicted by Field
Marshall Rommel's forces.
Characteristically, Rommel acted first and on the evening of
26 May 1942, his forces attacked the 8th Army at Gazala. The Axis forces enveloped the British
position to the south with the aim of destroying the British armour and cutting
off the rest of their forces from Egypt.
The operation lasted until 13 June.
Several British tanks were destroyed and the then commander of the 8th
Army, Lieutenant General Neil Ritchie, decided to withdraw his forces to the
Libyan/Egyptian frontier.
However, Tobruk was not evacuated according to plan as
Churchill at the last moment decided that the fall of the fortress would be
detrimental to the morale of the British forces in the theatre.
THE FALL OF TOBRUK
The Panzerarmee Afrika attack on Gazala on 26 May 1942
directly impacted the South African forces.
By 13 June, the possibility existed that the 1st South African Division
could be cut off by the victorious Axis forces
Viewpoint of Field Marshall Rommel (from his diary)
Panzerarmee Afrika 14.6.1942
After re-grouping the Panzerarmee, which took place in the
morning hours of the 14th, the DAK [Deutsches Afrika Korps] began its attack in
a northerly direction with massive artillery assistance. After fierce battles enemy tank units were
thrown back into areas around Acroma.
The enemy lost 52 tanks and numerous equipment. Despite a heavy sand storm in the afternoon,
the attack by the DAK gained ground slowly.
Protected by a deep minefield, the enemy tried to erect a new defensive
frontline, employing all tank units and a motorised brigade.
Air patrols observed heavy transport movements on the Via
Balbia, west of Tobruk, in an easterly direction. The enemy destroyed ammunition dumps in the
Gazala position, and tried to screen his withdrawal by attacks against the
Italian AK [Afrika Korps].
Panzerarmee Afrika 15.6.1942
Last night the enemy tried to withdraw various units along
the Via Balbia towards Tobruk. An attack
of the DAK, west of Acroma, cut off the road to Tobruk.
During the day the enemy tried unsuccessfully to open up the
road to Tobruk in an area north-east of Acroma by desperate attacks. The XXI AK opened the Gazala front from the
west aud advanced (evening of 15.6.) into the area east of the Gazala
airfields.
Strong units of the 50th British Infantry Division tried to
break through the sector of the X AK in the south. The attacks were essentially repulsed with
high and bloody losses for the enemy. 300
prisoners were brought in, 400 motor vehicles destroyed.
After encircling the Gazala front, the Panzerarmee pursued
the enemy via El Adem in an easterly direction.
The strongly fortified desert fortresses in the southern
part of the outlying sectors of Tobruk, in the area of El Adem, which were
obstinately defended by parts of the 5th Indian division, were stormed in the
evening hours.
More than 800 prisoners were brought in, a number of guns
and other war material were captured.
Despite many enemy bombing attacks further ground in the
east was occupied. The enemy withdrew
his tank units from the area east of Tobruk further eastward.
During the night from the l2th to 13th British sabotage
commandos, some of them in German uniforms, and provided with German cars and
documents, undertook attacks on airfields in the region of Derna-Barce-Benina. Aircraft were destroyed, a hangar was set on
fire. One sabotage squad - with an
officer in German uniform - was captured, as well as one camionette with
explosives.
Panzerarmee Afrika 16.6.1942
The attack from the south directed against the deep flank of
the British Gazala positions (west of Tobruk), encountered the forces of the
British XIII corps, which consisted at that time of the 1st Tank Division, the
1st South African and the 50th British Divisions.
During the severe clashes south and west of Acroma, the
British tank units were destroyed. After
the non-operational 1st Tank Division had to retreat from the battlefield
during the night of 14th, the DAK followed along the Via Balbia to the coast.
During the battles between Acroma and Bir-el-Tamar, forces
of infantry brigade strength were annihilated.
Another brigade was destroyed when the 50th British Division tried to
break out to the south-west.
The 150th Brigade had already been smashed during the
battles at Got el Valeb. During the
battles for Acroma and attempts to break through to the east, the 1st South African Division was severely
mauled. Their losses were at least that
of two brigades.
Altogether 6 000
prisoners were taken in the fighting for the Gazala positions; 224 tanks, 85
guns and a great amount of war material was captured and destroyed. Following the destruction of British forces
in the area west and south of Tobruk, the British command has withdrawn the
remaining, badly mauled divisions to the Libyan-Fgyptian border area. There they are being collected and
re-organized.
After the completion of the operations for the Gazala
positions the Panzerarmee Afrika is re-grouping.
During the fighting within the outer fortress positions, the
German Panzer divisions occupied a number of obstinately defended strongholds
south-east of Tobruk.
NOTE TO READER: Leading up to the fall of Tobruk, the South African
Forces took a hammering – Field Marshall Rommel stated that nearly 2 Brigades
with their tanks, guns and other war materials were captured or destroyed.
Panzerarmee Afrika 17.6.1942
During fighting for possession of the outer fortress
positions with its many defensive, well-equipped strongholds, a vital point in
the El Adem area was taken early on 17.6.
A break-out by the encircled enemy from this stronghold in
the night from the 16th to 17th was essentially repulsed with high losses for
the enemy. The number of prisoners was
500.
Further strongholds were surrounded during 17th. Reconnaissance forces pushed between
strongholds through to the fortress belt.
In front of the fortress, Italians occupied positions in an area
south-east to north-east of Acroma.
To win and secure the necessary protection of the German
rear, prior to the proposed attack against Tobruk, forces from the DAK and the
Panzerdivision Ariete advanced in an easterly direction towards Gambut. This would eliminate any chances of the enemy
air force being able to operate from airfields around Gambut.
The German forces pushed the 7th Tank Division back along
their whole front and then reached the area south of Gambut. The operations continued into the evening
hours.
Panzerarmee Afrika 18.6.1942
After reaching the areas of Gambut and south of Gambut,
parts of the Panzerarmee remained there.
Cleaning-up operations netted a further 400 prisoners and a large supply
depot.
The ring around fortress Tobruk was closed by an advance on
Via Balbia to the north-east of the fortress belt.
The fortress is surrounded, road and railway transport
interrupted. 10 tanks have been
destroyed, 15 aircraft and numerous other equipment have been captured and 500
prisoners brought in.
Panzerarmee Afrika 19.6.1942
1. Panzerarmee
prepares itself, until evening 19.6, for attack on fortress Tobruk. Beginning of attack in early morning hours of
20.6., taking advantage of heavy raids of air force units.
2. The combined
reconnaissance forces and one Italian division protect the rear of the
Panzerarmee in area Gambut and south-east, and undertake armed reconnaissance
in easterly and south-easterly direction.
In the Afternoon the enemy advanced with strong forces via
Bir el Gobi northwards.
Viewpoint from the British Forces
On the 14th June the 1st South African Division
received the expected order from 13th Corps Headquarters to evacuate the Gazala
line. Without suffering more significant
losses, the division reached Mersa Matruh by the end of the month. However, the 2nd Division was less fortunate. The development of operations at Gazala
caused the garrison in Tobruk to be cut off by Rommel's forces while the rest of
the 8th Army retreated across the Libyan/Egyptian frontier. Contrary to British expectations, Rommel did
not besiege the town but launched an attack from the southeast. The defences were breached and the garrison,
in spite of heavy fighting, was forced to surrender on 21 June.
 |
| British 25 pounder Artillery used at Tobruk in June 1942 |
Report from a South African Prisoner of War - Lance-Bombadier Roy Halse of the 2nd Anti-tank Regiment, SAUDF
“Will I ever forget Sunday 21st June 1942? Rommel demanded
the surrender of Tobruk at 7 am, having smashed through the Eastern Perimeter
and captured the harbour at 4 pm on Saturday.
The first information we got that everything was lost was at
8.30 am. Orders went round to burn and
destroy all vehicles, equipment and arms.
Hundreds of armoured cars and vehicles were driven up and over cliffs,
the drivers jumping clear, and allowing the cars to continue, finally
disappearing into the sea. Thousands of
vehicles were strewn with petrol and set alight, including mobile workshops,
ammunition trucks, anti-tank portes and service trucks all went up in smoke. Guns and ammo were destroyed. By ten o'clock one could hardly see anything
of Tobruk for smoke and petrol-drums and tanks blowing up. One would have thought the battle was still
raging.”
 |
| Tobruk Burning |
NOTE TO READER: The South
African Command in Tobruk ordered the destruction of vehicles, equipment,
munitions and other supplies after the German tanks have penetrated into the
harbour area. In the process a lot of
vehicles and equipment were destroyed.
Back to Rommel’s Diary
Panzerarmee Afrika 20.6.1942 (Flash message)
Two-thirds of fortress Tobruk, including harbour, was
occupied after severe fighting which lasted from dawn to late evening.
Western part still holds out. Several
thousand prisoners, 70 tanks, immense [amount of] equipment.
 |
| Photo of a German Kubelwagen outside of Tobruk, while the town is burning |
Panzerarmee Afrika 21.6.1942 (Flash message)
Fortress Tobruk taken.
Garrison of 25 000, a number of
generals of tank armies. Colossal goods
depots of war material. Further
reports to follow.
 |
British Forces in Tobruk taken captive |
 |
British Forces being marched out of Tobruk |
NOTE TO READER: Despite the
attempt by the South African Command in Tobruk to destroy as many of the
vehicles, equipment, munitions and other supplies, the German Forces managed to
seize a lot of vehicles and equipment.
Back to the British Forces
The Axis forces' capture of Tobruk was a serious military
and psychological setback for the Allied war effort.
On 21 June, the 1st Division received orders to move from
the border to El Alamein. The commander
of the 8th Army decided that the division needed rest and should not be
deployed at Mersa Matruh. The 1st
Brigade started moving on 22 June, while the rest of the division followed the
next day. By the evening of 25 June
1942, the main force of the division was deployed in the vicinity of the El Alamein
Station.
From 26-28 June, Elements of the division participated in
the fighting at Mersa Matruh. The 2nd
Anti-tank Regiment was detached from the 2nd Division at Gazala. This unit withdrew with the 1st Division to
El Alamein, but on arrival had to move back to Mersa Matruh, where they were
placed under the command of the British 50th Division. On 28 June, the regiment broke out of the
encirclement of the Axis forces at Mersa Matruh, but only 324 reached El
Alamein and most of their guns were lost.
A few members were detached to the 1st Anti-tank Regiment under command
of the 1st Division, but most were sent to the Nile Delta to recuperate.
From 25 June, the 5th and 11th Engineer Field Companies were
detached to the British 50th Division at Mersa Matruh. Their mission was to lay mines in the western
part of the defensive line and to conduct demolition tasks in the area. While busy with this in Mersa Matruh Harbour,
the Axis forces attacked and the South African contingent had to break out. Individuals reached El Alamein, some only by
5 July.
At El Alamein, the South African Engineers were also tasked
to support other British formations. At
Deir el Shein, the IIth Field Company helped troops of the 18th Indian Brigade
to lay mines and erect defensive positions and barbed wire. A section of this company was also sent to
Bab el Qattara, where they helped the New Zealand infantry prepare defensive
positions.
South African armoured cars patrolled west of the El Alamein
Line and informed the headquarters of the 8th Army on the movement of the Axis
forces. On arrival at El Alamein, the
4th Armoured Car Regiment was transferred to the British 7th Armoured Division. During July 1942, they permanently deployed
one squadron with two in reserve. Their
area of responsibility was from Bab el Qattara to the Qattara Depression. The 6th Armoured Car Regiment was still under
command of the 1st South African Division.
Their area of responsibility was the west of the El Alamein Station and
north of Bab el Qattara. They did not
only report to the South African Division Headquarters, but also directly to
8th Army Headquarters.
NOTE TO READER: Although the
South African Forces in Tobruk were captured, a number of South African Farces
were attached to other Units and these Forces escaped to fight another day.
Auchinleck's decision to withdraw to El Alamein confirmed a judgment by the British General Staff that this would be the best position from which to defend Alexandria, Cairo and the Suez Canal. The so-called El Alamein Line was the last obstacle between Rommel and the Suez Canal.
CONCLUSION
In this section of the North
African Campaign I have tried to portray the fighting from a South African
perspective. It is clear that Field
Marshall Rommel realised that Tobruk was essential in supplying his forces,
should they be able to penetrate deeper into Egypt. Consequently he focused his considerable
Forces on Tobruk and managed to capture the harbour and then the town and the
outlying areas.
As a result, the South African
Union Defence Force lost a large part of their war equipment and their
men. What vehicles and equipment were
not destroyed was seized by the German Forces.
However, some of the South African Units did manage to survive.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE SAUDF’s HARLEY-DAVIDSON’s
I have managed to come across
numerous photos and reports of the Harley-Davidson’s used by the SAUDF up to
the fall of Tobruk. From that point in
the war onwards, virtually no mention is made of the Harley-Davidson’s. Consequently I have come to the conclusion
that a huge number of the Harley-Davidson’s were destroyed and / or seized at the
fall of Tobruk.
 |
| A SAUDF Harley-Davidson with Sidecar in North Africa |
However, some of the
Harley-Davidson’s were attached to the armoured car units and they have managed
to get through the war – the motorcycle that I am busy restoring is testimony to
the fact that some of the SAUDF Harley-Davidson’s did survive the North African
Campaign.
At this point in South Africa,
WW2 Harley-Davidson’s are extremely scarce!
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