Mike Laycock had his tank shot up and one of his crew killed by one of our own 6-pounder anti-tank guns. He was livid with rage. Accidents will happen, though. He had to be evacuated.
The tanks we shot up were from the 90th Light Division.
While Sam and Jack were looting the evacuated hospital, they found two German Mk IV tanks with their engines still running, but no sign of the crew. They poured petrol inside the tanks and set them on fire.
While on his way back with the recaptured 25-pounder, Sam Garrett ran straight into a tank battle, which gave him a slight shock, especially when his engine stalled.
We formed up in leaguer just west of the station. It was dark when we got in but on our left we saw a column moving fast in a westward direction. We tried to get leave to follow, but the CO wouldn’t let us as he didn’t want the force to get split. We went a short way on foot with a Tommy gun but didn’t see anything further.
Friday, 6 November
Broke leaguer at daybreak and joined the rest of the brigade, which had leaguered further down the railway. As a result of the tremendous pace at which we had been pushing on, and the lack of maintenance, I had exactly one other tank left besides my own with which to start the day. So, again, I had to act as leading point.
The brigade formed up and proceeded westwards along the railway line, 3 RTR up, ourselves left, and Staffs right. After we had gone a short way, we were then held up by two batteries of enemy artillery on the top of an escarpment. Jack Tyrrell soon brought down fire and knocked out one gun. They were well out of range for the tanks. We came under fire from some solid shot, but none of us were hit. Keith Douglas ran onto an isolated mine, which blew off one of his tracks. He changed into another tank.
The CO ordered us to do a right flank movement and cut the road behind and west of the enemy. I went off with two other tanks plus Jack Tyrrell. We had a steep climb to the top of the escarpment and then worked slowly round. B and C Squadrons followed us.
By the time we reached the top, the enemy had gone. We turned right and it was a flat-out race to cut the road. Jack won in his Honey tank. The Grants moved like hell across the extraordinary open and good-going desert. Freddy Cooper, who was in charge of B Squadron, had a bad runner and received continual rockets from the CO for lagging behind. How I laughed. We eventually cut the road at Kilometre Stone 62 by an aerodrome.
Sergeant Wooley, in an RHQ Crusader, who had been lent to me as we were so short, captured four Italian officers. As usual, the Hun had gone and left the Italians. One of these Italians had a slight knowledge of English and from what we could make out he claimed to know the exact position of a food dump. We immediately sent him off with Sergeant Wooley (before handing him over) to see whether we could increase our larder. However, it turned out to be a salvage dump and not a food dump.
We remained in the vicinity for the remainder of the day, each squadron taking up a position of observation. We were continually expecting to come into contact with the remainder of the enemy armour, especially the 21st Panzer Division in the south.
No sooner had we taken up positions when we had a very heavy rain storm, which completely flooded all the lower ground. Jack Tyrrell had taken up his position right next door to a wooden hut on the edge of the aerodrome and inside I found him having a tremendous brew-up: tinned sausages, beans, potatoes and some excellent tea. He immediately asked me to join him and we had a most delicious meal, completely under cover.
Our B Echelon, instead of following the road, which was now clear, followed our course and as a result became completely bogged.
We closed into leaguer in the same area but as the rain continued practically throughout the night we slept in our tanks. Not very comfortable.
Saturday, 7 November
Early in the morning we continued along the road towards Mersa Matruh. This time we were in the lead. It wasn’t long before Jack discovered an Italian general’s caravan, beautifully fitted up inside. He immediately took it on tow! But later we had to hand it over to Brigade. Keith Douglas wandered too far out to the right flank, broke a track, and had a long walk back to the road to get help. However, he captured an Italian concert party all waiting to give themselves up. Until the LAD arrived to help him, they sang to him and the crew, helped him brew up, and even assisted in replacing the track.
As we got nearer to Mersa, the divisional general, General Gatehouse, came up into the lead in his tank. I had an idea that he wished to be in Mersa first. However, we were informed by a scouting infantry platoon that one of their carriers had been knocked out by an 88mm A/T gun from the outer defences! The general retired behind the Regiment and A Squadron was sent forward to reconnoitre.
We found that the Hun had left behind a rear-guard. C Squadron sent a troop around the right flank, but it soon came under fire and two tanks received hits, which didn’t penetrate. Michael Gold was then in command of C Squadron as Stephen Mitchell had not returned from hospital.
At the time, I was extremely short of tanks, owing to mechanical trouble and not being able to get them up fast enough. In fact, mine was the only one left, but nine more were on the way. I managed to creep up pretty near and had a very good shot at a 50mm A/T gun with my 3-inch howitzer. That close support for tanks is most useful. The CO then decided that he would lead a frontal attack with the remainder of B Squadron.
I knew that it was dangerous as I could still see a 50mm pointing directly down the road. However, he went in and received a direct hit from a 50mm, which killed his driver and loader and wounded his gunner, Trooper Sanders, who used to be my groom.
The gunners offered to put down smoke and cover the advance, but he considered that the tanks might be silhouetted as they came through.
One truck, which I believe held air-force personnel, came bumming along the road, straight through our tanks, and towards the outer defences. The occupants had a nasty shock when a mortar bomb fell right beside their truck and small arms opened up at them. They turned about, and returned along that road at a great speed!
A platoon of the Buffs tried an attack, but that failed with heavy casualties. Jack Tyrrell saw some movement in one sector of the wire defences and started to bring down some 25-pounder fire. This alleged enemy turned out to be a cow, and the following message came over the air: ‘You are shooting at a cow – I say again, a Charlie Orange William!’ We closed into leaguer at too late an hour as there was no moon, so we had some difficulty in getting in.
Basil Ringrose brought up nine tanks, which had been just right, but they all developed trouble again, mostly minor problems, which the LAD and fitters put right early next morning. A donkey wandered into leaguer, which caused some amusement. A BBC van also arrived, which made some recordings. I was very weary.
Eighth Army, and Montgomery in particular, have often been criticized for not pursuing Rommel’s forces with greater urgency, but Stanley’s diary makes it clear that numerous mechanical problems, hold-ups by enemy rear-guards and time spent mopping up prisoners hindered their rapid progress considerably.
Sunday, 8 November
Mersa Matruh fell and we were the first to enter and drove right down to the sea, where we met the 3rd RTR and the Staffs. We passed the spot where a few months earlier we had handed over our Honey tanks to the 1st RTR – the day before we evacuated the town.
Jack Tyrrell and Sam Garrett looted Navy Stores and found some excellent food. At about 10 o’clock we pushed on west along the road towards Charing Cross, and halted at Kilometre Stone 11, where we spent the night. The first time in pyjamas for a long time.
Monday, 9 November
A day of rest and maintenance. The traffic on the road heading westwards is terrific, the congestion appalling. We sent some of the men down to bathe. Keith Douglas rejoined but without a tank.
Tuesday, 10 November
Sam went off on a scrounging party and brought back an excellent blue tent, which we have made into the officers’ mess. A church service in the morning whi
ch the brigade attended.
Two new tanks arrived. Bathing in afternoon.
Wednesday, 11 November
A football match in the afternoon against the RHA on a very dangerous and hard ground. Sam Garrett and Keith Douglas had some drinks on board a torpedo boat in Mersa harbour. They both came back much the worse for wear! I had a squadron photo taken with a captured Italian camera.
We heard that Sergeant Grinnell, reputed at one time to have been killed, was progressing well. There are plenty of rumours about our future, some say Tripoli or Syria, even India, and England seems to be a favourite among many. We heard that all the church bells rang in England in honour of the Eighth Army’s victory. Water is very short, and until they get the thing organized we are on ¼ gallon per man per day.
The citation for Stanley’s first Military Cross.
Stanley was put forward for a Military Cross on this day, although news did not reach him of the award until 28 January the following year. It was for leadership of the squadron during the Alamein battle, ‘which he has led consistently with the highest degree of courage, initiative and skill . . . During every engagement, Major Christopherson’s courage, initiative, leadership and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to all ranks in the Regiment.’
Thursday, 12 November
PT before breakfast. Bathing party in the afternoon. At 16.00 hours the brigadier came around each squadron and talked to tank crews. He then addressed all the squadron, congratulating us on helping to win the Battle of Alamein, which he said, combined with the American attack from the west, had finished off the Hun and the Italians in Africa. We had completed our victory in 12 days. He also pointed out the PM had mentioned the part played by the brigade in Parliament. About the future he could tell us nothing definite: we might go forward or back depending on the Germans. But we must keep ourselves fit and the tanks in perfect running order and be prepared for anything – an attack on the south of France, or Italy. The question of going home was not mentioned.
After dinner Basil Ringrose, Sam Garrett and I went and had a drink with B Battery, 1st RHA. The battery commander, Egerton, Jack Tyrrell and a couple of other officers were there. We have been so fortunate in having them to work with us. The co-operation between the armour and the guns, as far as this regiment and especially this squadron is concerned, has been quite perfect, thanks largely to Jack Tyrrell.
I sent back the SQMS with Sergeant Bacon to get some stuff from the NAAFI for the squadron. Basil Ringrose told me tonight that he was going to command B Squadron in the absence of Mike Laycock. It will be good experience for him.
Admiral Darlan has now thrown his hand in with the Americans, after having been captured by them. We heard today that Sergeants Grinnell, Bingham, Lance Corporal Hopewell and Trooper Else are in hospital after all, having been reported missing or dead. I am especially pleased about Bingham, as he was in my troop when we had horses.
As a result of this battle A Squadron has had 34 casualties: 14 killed, 19 wounded and one missing. This includes two officers killed, one seriously wounded, and three slightly wounded. As far as the Regiment is concerned, out of 22 officers who entered the battle, 16 have been casualties.
Admiral Darlan had been the leader of all military forces in Vichy North Africa, but had clandestinely agreed a deal with the Allies prior to the TORCH landings on 8 November. After half-hearted resistance, Vichy French forces had surrendered three days later and Darlan had been announced as political leader in French North Africa.
Friday, 13 November
Squadron leaders’ conference at 09.00 hrs. The men need a rest, but if we are to be left for any length of time we shall have to employ them in some way. Bathing will be a great help. A squadron of the 41st Tank Regiment has been attached to the Regiment. The CO is not too pleased about this, and has decided to have four squadrons instead of mixing the personnel. They will have Sherman tanks and this will not affect this squadron in any way. We heard today that Tobruk has fallen and had been left in flames.
We have been told that we are going to be made up to strength, but our future is still unknown. It rather looks as if the Americans will reach Tripoli first.
I reorganized the squadron into the following troops: Sam Garrett comes to Squadron HQ as 2i/c, Archie Stockton 3 Troop, Keith Douglas 2 Troop, Sergeant Goodridge 4 Troop, and Sergeant Hardinge, 5 Troop.
Saturday, 14 November
Two new tanks arrived for the squadron today, making us 14 in all. All tanks have to be painted with division and squadron signs, etc., and all given a name beginning with A. Keith Douglas submitted ‘Apple Pie & Apple Face’ for his tanks. I squashed this, as something told me that the CO would not approve!
Bathing party in the afternoon. Still no news about moving or our future. Great speculation. Heard today that Roger Wenlow and Claud Ashton had been killed in a flying accident. Roger’s death was a great blow.
Myles Hildyard is now adjutant until Derrick Warwick comes out of hospital. A letter from Patrick McCraith, also in hospital, told the CO that Derrick was very comfortable and sitting up in bed, ‘and although still on the danger list was much better than any other blokes in the hospital who had been belted in the head’, as Patrick put it.
The SQMS arrived back from the NAAFI with some food. On the strength of it we asked the CO to dinner, sending a formal invitation. He accepted for tomorrow, answering in Latin! Tomorrow we shall send him a reminder in Greek!
Sunday, 15 November
We had a church service parade for the whole Regiment. A detachment of 1st RHA came. The divisional commander and the brigadier also attended. Padre Hales took the service and delivered a sermon. Jack Tyrrell came for the service, but arrived too late, so waited at the squadron office for a glass of beer. We persuaded him to stay for lunch.
The colonel and Myles Hildyard came to dinner. We gave them soup, stew with fresh cabbage and tinned fruit, a bottle of wine, Italian cigars, German cigarettes and a bar of chocolate.
Monday, 16 November
Michael Laycock returned to the unit from hospital. He came with good news about Derrick Warwick, although Stephen Mitchell has been evacuated even further back. Before lunch he and I went on a recce to find a shooting area, but we were unsuccessful. There are too many people about. Like a good many other people my stomach is out of order.
Now that Division HQ (G Branch) have not much to do they suddenly realized that the camouflage officer (Keith Douglas) was missing. Having gone through the battle he had quite made up his mind never to return to Division. Having discovered what had happened, the G1 at Division was somewhat narked that Keith had not consulted him, and complained to the CO somewhat bitterly at his actions. The CO made Keith go and apologize, which he did tonight, but returned with a bottle of rye whisky and also a bottle of lime!
Tuesday, 17 November
We took the tanks out for the first time since we have been here. All the troops have been made up differently and we have many new personnel, so I let each troop go out on its own. Sam Garrett and I went and watched in the 30-cwt. Jack Tyrrell came to lunch. He told us that he had heard that the division was going back to Cairo, but the brigade was going forward to Tobruk to join the New Zealanders, supported by a battery of field artillery, and that the 1st RHA would go back with the division. It would be a great blow to lose the 1st RHA.
A terrific downpour of rain in the afternoon, which literally flooded out B and C Squadrons, who have leaguered in a wadi. I was sitting in C Squadron office at this time and only just had time to remove everything from the floor before the whole place came under water. Even up on the high ground most men had their kit soaked.
Some of C Squadron’s Sherman tanks, which were training in the low ground near the sea, became badly bogged and two of them are now submerged up to the turrets! I dined with Stephen Mitchell, who has just returned from hospital. Michael Gold, who has been acting C Squadron leader, arrived very late, having spent a futile four hours trying to get the
tanks out, and greeted Stephen with this news! B and C Squadron offices are a mess and some of the Grants almost submarines on land, with only their pennants floating just above the water. It was really most amusing! The last wireless call B Squadron heard from C squadron was ‘Come quick, we are sinking fast.’ Mike Laycock went out in the CO’s tank and decided to drive over an Italian’s derelict car, which he did, and as a result took a wing off the tank. The CO, who is ill in bed with neuralgia, is going to write him a strong letter on the subject! Two of my squadron tanks threw tracks today.
Wednesday, 18 November
Some of the gunners from B Battery RHA (Jack Tyrrell’s troop) came up and inspected our tanks in the morning. We allocated one to each tank and sent them out for a couple of hours. They expressed their appreciation and said they had enjoyed themselves.
We heard that almost certainly Division HQ will be returning to the Delta area, with the following under command: 9th Armoured Brigade, 1st RHA, 133 Light Motorized infantry. This brigade, the 8th Armoured, will have to be prepared to join the New Zealanders further up the line, together with 90th Field Artillery as their gunners – who are, in fact, the Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry – have never worked with armour. Jack Tyrrell will be a tremendous loss, and I shall hate working with anybody else.
Thursday, 19 November
An Englishman at War Page 28
