“F” TROOP HISTORY

‘F’ TROOP

 ‘F’ (SPHINX) BATTERY RHA

 From the beginning of the 2nd Libyan Battle 18th November 1941.

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November 18th

               The troop moved up from its training positions at QUARET AZZA, through MADDELENA and NW to GABR SALEB where we spent the night. There was no activity, and no enemy were seen.

November 19th

               Sat near GABR SALEB all the morning, and in the early afternoon moved up the Div axis track towards SIDI REZEGH. We saw the aerodrome at SIDI REZEGH in the evening. Leaguered with the 2nd R.T.R. at night about three miles SE of aerodrome. S/Sgt. Stipling, Sgt Hatcher, Bdr Hatcher, Gnrs McCabe, Watson, Hall, Lind and 2/Lt E.C. Simpson failed to arrive and were later reported missing.

November 20th

               We were woken up about an hour before dawn, and told the leaguer was about to be attacked. We waited till first light and then broke leaguer whereupon the enemy open up with all their weapons at point blank range. We were very lucky and managed to get away without any casualties, to the accompaniment of machine guns and anti tank guns. We went into action about 2000 yds East of the leaguer and immediately engaged the enemy. We were shelled fairly accurately by the enemy for about an hour in the morning but again had no casualties, pieces of shellwere hitting guns and vehicles. In the afternoon we were attached by Stukas but out only casualty was Bdr Staunton, who was hit in the knee. Enemy MK 1 V tanks put down a considerable barrage on our right flank but it was just far enough away for us to sit and watch it. We leaguered at night with the 2nd R.T.R. again about three miles East of our gun positions.

November 21st

               We went into action at first light about 1000 yds behind yesterdays gun positions. There was  some slight enemy air activity first thing, but our own fighters were much in evidence for the rest of the day. At about 0800 hrs we put down a barrage and smoke screen with ‘G’ Troop for the 7th Hussars to attack the aerodrome. There was no reply from the enemy guns. At about 1000 hrs we moved North two miles and went into action firing NE near a troop of 60th Field; Capt McVey in the OP reported and engaged enemy tanks coming from the NE. Three or four were knocked out by indirect fire. The OP was then forced back onto the guns, and by we engaged the tanks over open sights. We were heavily shelled and machine gunned by enemy tanks and artillery, especially Mk 1 V tanks which fire air burst HE. We could not see the result of our shooting for the dust and smoke although two tanks were claimed. At 1600 hrs we moved back about 1000 yds to the right of ‘G’ Troop and there engaged more enemy tanks and infantry. In the evening it rained heavily and the battle subsided somewhat. At night we leaguered with what was left of 7 AB. Our casualties were killed none, wounded Capt McVey.

November 22nd

We moved at first light one and a half miles South of the leaguer and went into action firing West. We were warned to expect an infantry attack from the NW, an hour later we were suddenly and fiercely engaged by machine guns and A/T guns fired from enemy tanks behind us. We had a direct hit on No 4 gun limber, but the ammunition numbers taking cover behind it were unhurt. We had several punctures on guns and limbers, M truck was destroyed, and a few other vehicles had damaged radiators. Gnr Rowlingson was hit rather badly in the leg. Communications broke down and we were not able to withdraw until our own tanks came up and drew the fire. We then withdrew about 1000 ydsand stayed there until 1500 hrs.

We managed to get a German lorry and some food and water and all had a well earned wash. At 1500 hrs out tanks decided to attack and we turned and faced North. At about 1530 hrs the South Africans arrived behind us and started digging in. Then twelve Stukas arrived and bombed them. One plane was brought down, claimed by Gnr Pennington. At about 1600 hrs enemy tanks attacked from NE and were engaged by Major Withers from the gun positions. We were shelled again and got some more casualties. At night we leaguered by ourselves.

November 23rd

               We went into action at first light facing North. We were moved shortly afterwards and faces SE. And at about 0900 hrs we moved again about 1000 yds East and faced East. We engaged some enemy tanks and soft vehicles which were moving South at about 2000 yds. And at about 1500 hrs a few tanks and A/Cs came up from the SE and in behind the South Africans on our right. The were apparently lost, for the stopped in they stopped in the Middle of the SA wagon lines, and then turned round and came back through us a full speed. We engaged as soon as they were clear of our wagon lines and scored 3 hits on one tank. Gnr Dunne scoring the first hit with Major Withers on the trail. Owing to some confusion caused by the whole of RHQ trying to man the trails of our guns, the remainder escaped. At 1130 hrs some soft vehicles moved South past is and we engaged them. We hot at least eight vehicles and a few prisoners were brought it. At 1500 hrs we moved 1000 yds West and went into actions facing Norther against possible tank attack. However at 1530 hrs tanks started attacking the S.Africans who were about 3000 yds to our West. We engaged then whenever possible at about 1200 yds, but could not see the result of our shooting owning to smoke and dust and confusion in the target area. Infantry followed the tanks into the SA lines and then turned off towards us. We continued to engage the enemy infantry until dusk when we withdrew and went back 16 miles to rejoin the Support Group. The vehicle situation at this time was critical. Two ammunition lorries were full of ammunitions and at the same time were pulling guns and carrying detachments. We had one wireless set left and only two 8 cwts. Lt Barton came to ‘F’ Troop on loan. The OP had been on the gun position since Capt McVey was wounded, as Lt Greenfield was the only officer left in the Troop.

November 24th

               In the morning we moved back to a rest position in the area BIRBERRANEB. We managed to get cleaned up and replenished, and were just about to start maintenance when at 1200 hrs a few shells one or shells landed a few miles to the NW. We immediately packed up and went to investigate and found that an enemy column was moving fast to the East past us. We gave chase and a running battle ensued. We finished up at night in the GIRNI area. We leaguered up there with the whole of the Support Group and replenished. Then at about 2200 hrs we all moved off on the worst night march we have ever had, towards the FMC area on the TRIGH EL AHD. After we had done about three miles in two hours we were shot up front and rear. ‘F’ Troop were near the rear and 15cwts full (at) of infantry Christies tanks and all manner of vehicles suddenly took panic and came charging through us. However order was restored by halting the column for a short time, and we eventually completed nine miles in six hours.

November 25th

               There was no activity in the morning, except a recce on the TRICH EL AHD in which we got a little loot from the vehicles which had been hot the previous day. In the afternoon a column was formed and we chased off again towards SHERFEZEN to beat up an enemy column. We saw the RAF bombing the column before we saw the column itself and raced flat out to engage the column before it got dark. We had some excellent shooting and destroyed about 70 enemy vehicles. The remainder made off East very fast. A few prisoners were also taken. At night we withdrew about three miles and leaguered. BSM Eyres arrived on the echelon vehicles with a small party who had all been reported missing

November 26th

               We broke leaguer and had breakfast. We then moved slowly and back to FASHAT. Where we went in to action. There were no enemy to be seem and we leaguered nearby.

November 27th

               We went into action again at FASHAT and OP at Pt. 189. We had plenty of time to do maintenance. In the evening the OP spotted a large party moving NW. ‘F’ Troop chased after them flat out, but after about three miles the column was found to be friendly. At night we leaguered in the same area.

November 28th

               Into action again in the same area. We sent out recovery parties to SIDI REZEGH battlefield and the collected gun towers and lorries, and our vehicle state improved greatly. In the afternoon, one section went off under Lt Collins with a section of ‘G’ Troop to clean up a battlefield but when they arrived there had been no battle, and they had to come back the next day. The remainder of us leaguered in the same area. Capt McVey rejoined us after a hectic day.

November 29th

               We chased off North towards the TRIGH CAPUZZO and beat up the rear of an enemy column. We had some good shoot and hit some lorries in the first few rounds. We then used the smoke of the lorries as our aiming point and continued to harass the enemy fairly effectively. The KDGs thensent in a repory that there were some enemy to our Southand we had to race back to engage them. This, however, was the usual false alarm, and by 1800 hrs we were back as FASHAT again,having seen no enemy at all. We leaguered in the same place and were informed in leaguer that we would be going to GAZALA.

November 30th

               We broke leaguer and went into action nearby. After breakfast we moved out on a chase again. We went NW after an enemy column (possibly the same one as yesterday?). ‘G’ Troop were in action on our left and were heavily shelled by the enemy using 25 pdrs. Our OP was shot up and had to return to the guns, as the wireless was out of action. We had some good shooting but the enemy never came near enough for the guns to use open sights. After an hour in action there, we moved slightly East, and then North, where we continued to harrass the enemy. The enemy appeared to be having a sticky time being engaged from various angles, and did not seem to know which way to flee. In the evening MAYFIELD column relieved us, and we went back to leaguer ten miles North of GABR SALEB.

December 1st

Supposed to be a day of rest. Salvaged parties went out in the morning and recovered some 25 pdrs. In the afternoon we started to move again, and by nightfall we had covered four miles. We then went into leaguer.

December 2nd

               We moved NW towards SIDI MUFTAM we engaged Italian infantry and MT. It rained fairly hard in the morning. There were a few tank salvage parties about. In the afternoon we moved about ten miles and leaguered in area.

December 3rd

               We moved before first light in a westerly direction to NAIAD, a distance of thirteen miles. When we arrived there were sounds of fighting to our North. We moved North three miles at fast speed. As we were getting into action some Stukas circled overhead, but after a few moments suspense they flew away. We engaged some vehicles and infantry from the gun position. After a short concentration, Major Withers went out with a party and set fire to the lorries. We fired spasmodically during the day, and at night leaguered back about 17 miles. We thought we were going to be bombed in leaguer, but all passed off quietly. We sent a canteen lorry off to MATRUH. We were threatened by a tank attack in the evening but the 22nd AB arrived in time and prevented it.

December 4th

               We moved out again before first light to the area of the day before. We engaged the remainder of the Ariete Division fairly heartily all day, causing some fires and preventing the enemy from recovering vehicles from the battlefield. We recovered some 25 pdrs. 4.5 Hows and 18 pdrs. Also gun towers and lorries. We leaguered in the same position as the night before.

December 5th

               We moved out again before first light. The OP went to meet a patrol of the KDGs, but as usual they did not arrive until after 0900 hrs and the patrol turned out to be the enemy. It turned out the enemy had advance and now held the ridge South of EL DUDA and SIDI REZEGH ‘ drome. We had three OPS out and engaged the enemy all day at about 3000 yds from area SID MOHAMMED. The Ops had more excitement than the guns with their Northumberland Hussars escort. At night we moved back to the area of CHARRUBET.

December 6th

               We moved out again early again to the REZEGH area west of the actual. S.A. battle ground. There were plenty of enemy and we fired all day with some good results. A few enemy were captured. At night we leaguered back at the ‘cherry tree’.

December 7th

               We moved out early again, and went into action 1000 yds East of yesterdays position. We fires hard again all day and captured many more Hun prisoners. We also recaptured  about 200 New Zealanders in the afternoon; also much loot and food. We leaguered again at the ’cherry tree’.

December 8th

               We went into actions again at the same position. After breakfast there was a threat of an attack from the West, and we went into action West of Jerboa Battery. The attack did not develop and Ops pushed out West to the GOBI track. However, the guns were out of range of the track and the Ops remained in observation for the rest of the day. At night we went right back to leaguer at the ‘cherry tree’.

December 9th

               We stayed in the area of the ‘cherry tree’ all morning and had time to clean up and get some maintenance done. Salvage parties went off to the S.A. battlefield and recovered and A/C and a few odds and ends. In the afternoon we rushed off again to BIR GOBI. There was a small battle just passed GOBI, but we did not take part and went into leaguer a few miles west of GOBI. Brigadier ‘Jock’ Campbell visited us at night and told us we were going to GAZALA.

December 10th

               We advanced towards BIR HACHEIM and caught up with tail of an enemy column which we shot up. We made a mistake earlier on put one round into the Indian Div wagon lines. We remained in same area all day and leaguered at night near a bir in the same area. A lot of new officers joined us but no ORs.

December 11th

               Went into action in yesterdays positions, but advanced again without any firing. At night we went into leaguer a good way further on. Lt Booth rejoined from a gas course. The canteen arrived and everyone was in high spirits.

December 12th

               We advanced to the GAZALA are. We had an occasional short action on the way but did noy halt very long.  At midday we were south of GAZALA on MECHILI track. There was a larger amount of air activity, but the Hubs apparently thought we were friendly, and always bombed further to the rear. We turned North and advances unopposed to a point West of GAZALA. There were a large number of single MEs 109 and the made a great nuisance themselves by ground straffing. Unfortunately, Capt McVEIGH was hit by a cannon bullet from one of these and died in leaguer at night. We saw the coast road just as it was getting dark, but it was too late to engaged the traffic on it. We moved back and leaguered about sixmiles from our last positions at night.  

NB. This is accually Capt D.A. McVey

December 13th

               We moved out early in the morning North. We saw an enemy leaguer after we had gone about a mile, and the 11th Hussars went off to ‘beat it up’. After another two miles six staff cars came gave themselves up to the column. Mar Withers captured a black private car from the enemy ‘B’ Sun stub axle on their un broke and Sgt Ellis and Sgt Art Saunders mended it under shell fire later on. After about another two miles, a report came through that a column of enemy tanks was advancing, and so we had to withdraw. The MEs 109 were playing havoc by their staffing and were a great nuisance. After a few actions during the day we were told to fight our way through enemy lines. But luckily no such line existed and we got through. At night we leaguered near the ‘Two blues’.  As we broke leaguer in the morning we ran almost into an enemy column. Lt Kemp was left out for the night but rejoined us later on the day.

December 14th

               We spent the whole day in rest at the two blues. We had time to do a thorough clean up and maintenance. We were attacked by Stukas about three times but had no casualties. At night we leaguered in the same area.

December 15th

               We were due to move off towards MECHILI, but after going about seven miles and halting for breakfast, there were reports of enemy columns, The Colonel has a recce party which lasted most of the morning and in the afternoon we came into action and engaged the enemy. We had a very good shoot in the evening against three A/Cs which tried to approach the OP. There was slight air activity. At night we moved back about seven miles and went into leaguer. A rumour started that we were going to be relieved.

December 16th

               We went back early in the morning to the same area as yesterday, We had a few good shoots, but the enemy were nearly all out of range and we did not evidently do much harm. We leaguered at night in the same area as last night, and were told we were going to be relieved. At the time we were informed we were going to MECHILI in the morning.

December 17th

               We moved off about an hour before dawn towards MECHILI. We had no unusual incidents on the way and arrived about twelve miles East of MECHILI at 1000 hrs. We thought we were going to remain there all day, but early afternoon we started off North towards DERNA. The going was very rocky and stony and we had some trouble with tyres and springs. At 1700 hrs we reached the MECHILI-TIMINI track about eight miles East of MECHILI. There we saw a large column of MET moving West along the track. However it took too long to get the guns up in range and we only managed a small shoot before it got dark. We moved three miles SW and leaguered. It was decided that in the morning we should go North to DERNA.

December 18th

               We set off before first light with the KDGs leading, We moved all the way without a great deal of excitement, except for some soft ground in which the Ops got stuck. The gun group appeared to make very good speed and this was a constant source of worry to the Ops. We arrived about six miles South of DERNA at 1500 hrs and then moved six miles South again and went into action on MECHILI-DERNA track facing South. However there was no firing and at night we went into leaguer in a nearby wadi. The going all day had been very hilly.

December 19th

               We moved off South again to MECHILI and arrived about noon. There was nothing to be seen at MECHILI and we remained in the area and replenished.

At 1700 hrs we moved off West on great haste along the MECHILI-CHERRUBA track, Unfortunately it was very bad going and we lost two ammo: trucks with broken axles and springs. We stopped after we had done about fifteen miles in five hours. The a most unusual thing happened. Although it was 2200 hrs we were ordered to brew up. We then bedded down till next morning.

December 20th

               We continued our march about an hour before daylight and consequently lost another lorry with a holed radiator. We moved fast all day along the track and finished the night without any fighting, and with about twenty miles of petrol left for each vehicle. Also we lost some more cars nd lorries. Our strength in lorries at this time was 4 guntowers, 4 guns 2 ammo lorries, 1 petrol lorry, 1 8cwt and an A/C. It rained very hard in the evening, and rather damped our already failing spirits.

December 21st

               We continued our most hectic journey over hills. We left another ammo lorry behind, about midday we left he worst hills behind and turned South towards MSUS. In the evening we arrived in the MSUS area. We had time for an evening meal and we were reequipped with vehicles from the 60th Field Regt. We left all our own crocks in the area.

December 22nd

               We moved off very early and after some bad going arrived six miles East of BEDA FOMM at about four o’clock, and went into leaguer in the area.

December 23rd

               Started off early towards SOLOCH. After about four miles we halted for breakfast. We saw and enemy column out of from SCELLEDENA and chased after it. The guns did not do much firing , but the Ops and Major Withers managed to capture three lorries, a car and quite a number of prisoners, also much food. At 1000 hrs we moved back South towards ANTELAT. When we arrived at a point North of ANTELAT, the enemy were moving west towards AGEDABIA. We engaged them, but it was at maximum elevation and was not very successful. The gun saw the column going past over open sights but owing to a mistake we continued to engage the column by indirect fire.  The Hun column made no attempt to attack us at all. We leaguered at night in the area.

December 24th

               We moved back a few miles West, but there was nothing to engaged and in the afternoon we moved back to SOLUCK. We went into leaguer South of SOLUCK and just east of the main coast road. At night in the leaguer the KDGs charging plant caught on fire and we all had to move about three miles.

December 25th

               We moved early, and by 0800 hrs we were astride the main coast road about five miles South of CHENINES. The OP with the PC when into the village and procured eggs, sardines and tomatoes which we all had for lunch etc. The Div Commander came and gave us a short address. We remained in rest all day and leaguered about file miles North of CHENINES, having moved earlier in the day. 2/Lt Booth went into BENGHAZI with lorries and brought back an excellent store of food and drink which was very much appreciated by all.

December 26th

               We went into action in area and BENGHAZI food was distributed. Later in the day we were told we were really being relieved and actually moved off in the afternoon to a positions SE of SOLUCK.

December 27th

               We continued march and finished the day about thirty miles EAST of SCELLEDENA having gone through the pass. We leaguered up in area, and were then informed it was in leaguer that 22 A B had had a battle, and so of course we all realised that we would have to go back again.

December 28th

               Moved to a position about five miles West of MSUS and stayed in the area all day. We had plenty of time to clean up and do some maintenance. At night we leaguered in the area.

December 29th  

               We remained in the same area all day again, and at night leaguered in area.

December 30th

                Stayed there all day again until 1700 hrs when we moved off South towards ANTELAT. We reached a point five miles NE of ANTELAT and leaguered the night.

December 31st  

               An exceedingly cold day. There was short recce first thing, and then we all moved off again South to ANTELAT.