March 1943

Three men of 111 Fd Regt killed in action during February, however March 1943 would see the highest number of casualties and medals awarded for 111 Fd Regt during both the North African Campaign and the War.

On 28th February, Rommel met with General Giovanni Messe (Commander of the Italo-German Tank Army) and other high-ranking officers to discuss an attack on Medenine. An attack from three directions was suggested, from Toujane to Metameur on the left, an attack in the centre and an attack on the right from the Hallouf Pass to Medenine. Rommel suggested an attack nearer the coast to create the possibility of attacking from an unexpected direction but the subordinates disagreed because of information from reconnaissance by the Afrika Korps that the coastal approaches were difficult, mined and covered by many guns. There was no room for manoeuvre and the tanks would be easy targets for British artillery and aircraft. Rommel gave way and the plan was drawn up by Messe and commanders of the Afrika Korps, with the attack planned to take place on the 6th March.

Unbeknownst to Rommel, the British were listening. The Allied code breakers at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire were reading Axis Enigma codes. On 28th February, they decrypted orders from Rommel for a reconnaissance to be conducted by the 1st Italian Army, preparatory to an attack on the Eighth Army by 4 March and a fuel return on 1 March showed that the Axis forces had sufficient for a three-day operation.

On 26th February, the Eighth Army had only about one division at Medenine, most of its tanks were at Benghazi, 1,000 miles away and an attack on the Mareth Line could not be ready before 20th March. Montgomery thought that XXX Corps at Medenine would not be able to withstand an attack before 7th March but over three days and nights, reinforcements were rushed forward and by 4th March, 400 tanks, 350 field guns and 470 anti-tank guns had been moved up. The RAF’s Desert Air Force had also increased the number of aircraft in the area to double that of the Axis air forces.

As the following will show, March 1943 was indeed a busy and eventful month.

1st March 1943 – E639889
Small amount of enemy movement seen and engaged during day.
11:00hrs – British plane dropped bomb near RHQ.
15:08hrs – Major C. B. Walker RA was injured and subsequently died from a wound fired by his battery whilst he was ranging. New D.F. tasks were registered by 212 Bty and 476 Bty.
19:00hrs – Orders received for 111 Fd Regt to move on 2nd March, 2 Btys and RHQ to take over from 58 Fd Regt. One Bty (211) to go to 8 Armoured Brigade under command.
2nd March 1943 – E639889
10:00hrs – 211 Bty moved out. Whilst moving out them came under considerable enemy shellfire without sustaining damage.
11:00hrs – RHQ and 212 and 476 Btys closed down at old location.
12:30hrs – RHQ in new location E727771 and were shelling on coming in.
15:03hrs – Both Btys in action in new location. Orders received for 111 Fd Regt to join 8 Armoured Brigade complete by 4th March.
3rd March 1943 – E727771
03:00hrs – 30 Corps Arty ordered to engage Corp target suspected enemy movement in square 5892. 111 Fd Regt guns out of range.
08:00hrs – 30 Corps Arty engaged H.B. targets. 111 Fd Regt was out of range.
10:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt moved to E755895 to support 8 Armoured Brigade.
12:30hrs – RHQ and 476 Bty established and in action at new location. 211 Bty joined Regt again.
17:45hrs – A German attack developed in area Z60. Enemy tanks showed themselves in area E46.
22:00hrs – 212 Bty established in new location.
4th March 1943 – E755895
Nothing to report.
5th March 1943 – E755895
111 Fd Regt placed on permanent grid.

The Battle of Medenine
6th March 1943

EIGHTH ARMY

Personal message from the Army Commander
5th March 1943
To be read out to all troops

  1. The enemy is now caught in a trap, and he is hitting out in every direction trying to gain time and to stave off the day of final defeat in North Africa. He has attacked in central Tunisia, and in northern Tunisia; he is now concentrating on southern Tunisia, and obviously he will attack us next.

  2. If he does attack us, that will be the very opportunity we want; we have strong positions, plenty of artillery, plenty of anti-tank guns, and plenty of tanks; the enemy has never yet succeeded in any attack against a co-ordinated defensive layout.

  3. Not only are we ell equipped with everything we need. But, in addition, the soldiers of the Eighth Army have a fighting spirit and a morale which is right on the top line.

  4. If the enemy should attack us we will stand and fight him in our own present positions.

    There must be NO WITHDRAWAL anywhere, and of course NO SURRENDER. We have a very great superiority over the enemy in tanks and provided the defended localities hold firm then we will smash the enemy attack and cause him such casualties that it will cripple him; we will in fact give him a very “bloody nose”.

Personal message from Field Marshall Montgomery that was read to all troops on 5th March 1943, the eve of the Battle of Medenine.

At 5:36am. on 6th March, Allied code breakers sent an urgent message to Montgomery that the Axis forces were to attack at 6:00 a.m. Luckily, the previous warning from Bletchley Park meant the Allies had enough reinforcements to withstand the Axis attack; reinforcements that the enemy was unaware of.

The Axis bombardment began at 6:00am in the early dawn fog, followed by a stream of enemy tanks, gun and military vehicles. Small parties of Axis infantry probed the front and as the fog dispersed, artillery was seen moving up. The British artillery did not reply, being under orders to wait until the attackers were in range of the maximum number of guns; the anti-tank guns were only to commence firing at short range.

During the day, Montgomery wrote to General Sir Alan Brooke, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff :

“He is trying to attack me in daylight with tanks, followed by lorried infantry. I have 500 6pdr anti-tank guns dug in… I have 400 tanks…good infantry…and a great weight of artillery… It is an absolute gift, and the man must be mad.”

Over the course of the day, the Eighth Army repelled the many attacks, owed heavily to the sheer number of artillery pieces at their disposal (it was estimated that the XXX Corps Artillery fired over 30,000 shells during the day). Rommel accepted defeat at 8:30pm, realising that committing any more men could put his next line of defence, the Mareth Line, in jeopardy.

The battle was an overwhelming victory for the Allies, with almost 9 Axis tanks destroyed for every 1 Allied tank. Already fighting illness, Rommel would leave Africa on 10th March never to return.

Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Military Medal awarded to
Bombardier Frank Roberts – 476 Bty, 111 Fd Regt

“At Metameur on 6 March 1943, Bdr. Roberts. F, was acting as O.P.A. at an Observation Post which was subject, at intermittent periods, to accurate hostile shellfire throughout the day. During the morning he was wounded when his OP was hit, and although in great pain insisted in remaining at his post. He assisted his OP Officer most ably, resulting in his Regt knocking out three 88mm guns, ‘brewing-up’ a soft vehicle, engaging hostile tanks and stopping an infantry attack. He displayed in every way considerable devotion to duty in the face of adverse conditions.”

6th March 1943 – E755895
07:00hrs – German tank attack developed from west of MEDENINE.
09:45hrs – 8 Armoured Brigade with 111 Fd Regt in support moved towards METAMEUR to engage enemy tanks.
11:00hrs -Tac HQ established at 700816. Btys in action area 7081.
14:00hrs – 7082. Main HQ 111 Fd Regt established at 706824. All Bty’s engaged enemy to west of METAMEUR, but 476 Bty in particular carried out successful shoots, destroying several 88mm guns and being instrumental in stopping an infantry attack.
18:00hrs – 111 Fd regt moved into close leaguer with 8 Armoured Brigade..
7th March 1943 – E706824
06:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt moved out of leagues into Bty position in same area as 6 March. HQ returned to 755895.
10:30hrs – 212 Bty moved forward to position west of METAMEUR at 680785, followed by other Btys. Enemy activity of Regimental front on greatly reduced scale.
18:00hrs – Regt prepared to put down concentrations during night, but these were not required.
8th March 1943 – E680785
09:00hrs – Regt complete moved back to former area, E7588 to E7689.
17:05hrs – Regt strafed by enemy fighters, but no damage caused except to tyres.
9th March 1943 – E7689
Captain M. F. Strutt appointed to command 476 Fd Bty, once Major E. B. Walker. Lieutenant W. R. Middleton appointed Adjutant and promoted to Captain.
10th – 11th March 1943 – E7689
Regt received extra 3-tonners and 15-CWTs to make up to scale for future operations. 35 reinforcements received, mainly Drivers and Signallers.
12th March 1943 – E7689
Regt received 8 Armoured Brigade Movement Order No. 8 and Admin Order 16.
13th March 1943 – E7689
Captain J. B. H. Daniel promoted to Acting Major with effect from 1st March and took over duties of Second-in-Command.
14th March 1943 – E7689
Captain M. F. Strutt promoted to Acting Major once Major R. M. Craske was evacuated.
13:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt moved to staging area and arrived 23:30hrs.
18:00hrs – 8 Armoured Brigade and 111 Fd Regt passed to command NZ Division from 7 Armoured Division.
15th March 1943 – North-West of Metameur
19:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt left staging area, each Bty moving with the affiliated Armoured Regt as per 8 Armoured Brigade Movement Order No. 8.
16th March 1943 – North-West of Metameur
08:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt arrived in assembly area with 8 Armoured Brigade and NZ Corps. 111 Fd Regt lay up in the area for several days during which time its Motor Transport situation and organisation for the battle was considered and adjusted.
19th March 1943 – North-West of Metameur
18:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt moved under command of 8 Armoured Brigade as per their Operational Order No. 19 to lying up area.
24:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt leaguered for night at approximately E1033.

The Battle of the Mareth Line
19th – 31st March 1943

The Mareth Line was a pre-war French defensive line designed to prevent Italian incursions from Libya. Situated a few miles south of Mareth, it ran from the sea 22 miles inland to the Matmata Hills.

On 19th March 1943, XXX Corps commenced Operation Pugilist by carrying out a direct attack on the Mareth Line. As part of XXX Corps, the 50th Northumberian Division managed to penetrate the line held by the Italian 136th Armoured Division. At the same time, the 111 Fd Regiment were attached to a specially formed New Zealand Corps away from the frontline. The overall objective of this Corp was to perform a ‘Left Hook’ by diverting inland before punching north to the Tebega Gap, a natural corridor that extended between Djebel Tebaga and the Matmata Hills towards the coast at Gabes, allowing them to capture the town and encircle the Axis Troops defending the Mareth Line.

On the night of 19th/20th March the New Zealand Corps crossed the hills via Wilder’s Gap, and reached their planned assembly area west of the hills. The original plan was for them to wait there all day and then continue their advance by night, but they were detected early on 20th March and ordered to continue their movement during the day. By the end of the day they were close to the Tebaga Gap.

The New Zealand Corps conducted its first attack on the Tebaga Gap on 21st March, but without success. Making contact with the defenders of the gap on the afternoon of 21st March, but the Saharan Group had a strong defensive position and was able to hold its ground. On the same day, the German 164th Light Africa Division to move to Tebaga to reinforce the defences, having only now realised that an entire division and an armoured brigade was heading for the gap.

On the night of 22nd/23rd March the British position attacking the main Mareth Line became increasingly vulnerable. Realising that the position was about to be overrun, General Nichols (commander of the 50th Division) asked General Leese, for permission to withdraw. Leese woke Montgomery early on 23rd March and got his permission to withdraw. All surviving tanks and infantry pulled back, meaning that the frontal assault on the Mareth Line had failed.

At this point Montgomery decided to switch his main effort from the coastal attack on his right to the New Zealander’s outflanking move, sending the HQ of X Corps and the 1st Armoured Division to support. and dubbed the new plan Operation Supercharge II. The Axis Command, discovering the Allies shift in tactics, sent the 21 Panzer Division to bolster their lines. The sneaky ‘Left Hook’ was now becoming a full-on battle, with 111 Fd Regt out in the open.

The main attack was now gearing up in the Tebaga Gap The battle was to be preceded by an aerial bombardment that would start late on 25th March and continue to 15:00 hours on 26th March. This would be followed by an hour-long bombardment, before at 1600 the New Zealanders and 1 Armoured Division would attack out of the setting sun. However, the aerial attack was delayed by a dust storm that lasted until mid-afternoon on 26th March. When this ended the British Desert Air Force was only able to carry out two and a half hours of attacks before the ground attack began as planned at 16:00 hours.

The New Zealanders were first to break through the Axis lines, followed by the 1st Armoured Division. By the time darkness stopped the advance they had pushed forward 6000 yards. The fighting resumed after the moon came up, and by first light on 27th March 1st Armoured Division had reached El Hamma (to the north-east of the Tebaga gap, and at the south-western corner of the Gabes Gap), where they were held up by anti-tank guns. The New Zealanders followed up, mopping up any defenders who had been left behind.

The advance stalled somewhat on 27th March but by the night of 27th/28th March the Axis forces were in full retreat from the Mareth Line. Attempts to cut them off failed, because of a mix of dust storms, mines and the usual booby traps. Even so 15 Panzer, 21 Panzer, 165 Light Division and three Italian divisions had been so badly mauled that they were no longer effective combat units.

On 29th March the German armour finally retreated from El Hamma, allowing XXX Corps to follow the retreating Axis forces towards the Wadi Akarit position, generally known as the Gabes Gap. On 31st March, Operation Supercharge II was terminated, having cost the Eighth Army 4,000 casualties, many from the 50th Division during the initial attacks on the Mareth Line, along with a large number of tanks. The New Zealand Corps lost 51 tanks and 945 men, with the 111 Fd Regt losing 14 men killed (mainly from being bombed and strafed by enemy aircraft) and an unknown number injured. Axis losses are unknown, but some 7,000 were captured and became prisoners of war

20th March 1943 – E1033
08:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt continued march northwards. Contact with recce units of enemy made at approximately E1253. After being shelled enemy withdrew and advance continued.
18:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt deployed in Regimental area and prepared to support BUFFS by D.F. This was not however required.
21st March 1943 – D9685
08:00hrs – The Btys moved off with their armoured regiments followed by the HQ of 111 Fd Regt. Btys deployed in area D8898 and engaged enemy heavily with shellfire.
18:00hrs – HQ established at 898980 for night.
22nd March 1943 – D898980
07:00hrs – 111 Fd Regt moved forward, but Regimental target engaged whilst on the move. Guns were widely dispersed in area 8701 to 8804. During day all parts of Regt were subjected to bombing, shelling and machine-gunning from air.
13:00hrs – HQ established at approximately 870010.

Military Cross awarded to
 Captain Norman Gill – 111 Fd Regt

“On 22 March 1943 in the vicinity of Pt. 201, during the advance to El Hamma, Captain Gill, as Regimental Medical Officer displayed considerable courage and devotion to duty in dealing with casualties. He tended the wounds of three men in a battery position which was being subjected to salvoes of 105mm guns. Some of these salvoes landed within 20 yards of Captain Gill, killing two men only ten yards away from him. In spite of this, Captain Gill continued his work on the wounded, and his example out great heart into all those around him. His total disregard of his own personal danger has on several occasions saved the lives of badly wounded men”.

23rd March 1943 – Y870010
Strafing by enemy continued. Captain F. W. Gifford and several other ranks killed. Lieutenants Charlesworth and Dees and about 10 other ranks evacuated with wounds. Regt engaged enemy heavily, firing some 900 rounds during the day.
17:00hrs – HQ established at 882041 for night the Btys being deployed to North and East of this.
24th March 1943 – Y882041
Throughout day, Regt engaged successfully enemy concentrations as Regimental targets. Commander of 8 Armoured Brigade congratulated Regt on its performance.
14:30hrs – Btys were deployed in area 8608 and HQ was established at 885060. Major Strutt and Wale and Captain Allision were wounded and evacuated, Captain Hackett was killed, several other ranks were also wounded. Regt was continually bombed and shelled during the day.

Military Medal awarded to
Warrant Officer William Bickett  – 111 Fd Regt

“On 23 and 24 March 1943 during the advance to El Hamma, this Warrant Officer carried out his duties of ammunition replenishment within the Battery under heavy enemy gun fore, with the greatest devotion to duty; travelling between the gun detachments to his great personal danger, encouraging the men, helping with the evacuation of casualties, and on one occasion when enemy gun fire was especially heavy, helping in the detachment himself to replace a casualty”.

Military Medal awarded to
Lance Bombardier Ernest Potter  – 111 Fd Regt

“On 23 and 24 March 1943, during the advance to El Hamma, Lance Bombardier Potter who is a Troop Fitter in 211 Fd Battery RA; showed great courage and devotion to duty under heavy enemy shellfire, evacuating vehicles that had been hit, and on one occasion, at very great personal danger to himself; taking charge of a party for dealing with a full ammunition 3-ton lorry which had been hit, his efforts thereby saving the lorry which had been set on fire, and its load of ammunition. This is by no means the first occasion on which this NCO has shown great courage, initiative, and power of command.”

25th March 1943 – Y885060
17:00hrs – Activity on both sides was at a reduced scale, but further concentrations were put down. Lieutenant Watkinson injured and evacuated.

Military Cross awarded to
T/Major Harry Houghton Wale – 111 Fd Regt

““This officer, as a Battery Commander, supporting armour during the period 6 March 1943, at Metameur, and again between 21 and 25 March 1943 when marching on El Hamma consistently displayed considerable boldness in the handling of his O.Ps and guns. He always set a high example of coolness and initiative. On the 25 March 1943 Major Wale, together with all three of his Captains were wounded, but the spirit he had instilled in his Battery, by personal example, enable it to carry on with undiminished efficiency”.

26th March 1943 – Y885060
16:00hrs – No firing during early part of the day. At 16:00hrs Regt fired concentrations as part of area Arty programme of NZ Corps and 1st Armoured Division in support of an attack of NZ Corps and 1st Armoured Division in direction of EL HAMMA. Armoured O.P’s send forward with 8 Armoured Brigade
21:30hrs – The Regt achieved a “brew-up” on one of its concentrations. A report received that objective was reached.

Military Cross awarded to
T/Major Ernest Grant Walker – 111 Fd Regt

““On 23 and 24 March 1943, during the advance to El Hamma, Captain Walker who was Battery Captain of 211 Fd Bty RA; showed great courage and devotion to duty, under heavy enemy shell fire going round the battery at great personal danger encouraging and helping the detachments, and organizing the immediate evacuation of casualties.

On 26 March 1943 the vehicle he was travelling in was blown up by a mine, and he was wounded. In spite of this, he continued his work with his usual cheerfulness until he was finally forced by the Medical Officer to be evacuated”.

Military Cross awarded to
T/Captain Thomas Taylor – 111 Fd Regt

“On the night of 25 March 1943 Capt Taylor went forward as F.O.O with the leading squadron of the Armoured Regiment he was supporting, when the attack was put in on the strong enemy positions holding the El Hamma road near Pt. 201. He was heavily engaged by enemy shell fire and small arms fire, but continued to bring the fire of his guns on to the enemy positions causing heavy casualties. In spite of this, he left his tank to rescue a wounded New Zealand soldier. Throughout the action he remained well forward with the leading tanks, until he relieved on the morning of 26 March 1943.

During this and previous actions he has proved himself to be a fearless and courageous officer, and has done magnificent work in helping on the armour with his guns”.

Military Medal awarded to
Serjeant John Emil Forde – 111 Fd Regt

“On 24 March 1943 Sgt Forde did great service to his battery in maintaining wireless communications under very trying conditions. Seven times in one morning he ran the gauntlet of a track which was under enemy observation and being heavily shelled, to act as a wireless link between the OPs and the guns.

On 26 March 1943 he showed first class initiative and courage when his battery Commander and Battery Captain were wounded at his side in a wadi just North of the El Hamma road. He dressed their wounds under heavy shell fire, and took complete control of the situation until one of this officers arrived to take over”.

27th March 1943 – Y885060
07:00hrs – 8 Armoured Brigade moved forward with Regimental O.P’s in support.
10:55hrs – Regt moved forward into area 8811 and at 14:00hrs HQ was established at 880102.
23:00hrs – Regt advanced in Armoured Regt Groups and at 06:30hrs went into open leaguer at 957178.

Military Medal awarded to
Bombardier Edward Crook – 111 Fd Regt

“During the fighting southeast of El Hamma from 21 to 27 March 1943; Bdr Crook; NCO in command of Battery Line Communications, worked incessantly and cheerfully under heavy shellfire. His coolness and cheerfulness under extremely dangerous conditions were an inspiration to those working under him, and successful maintenance of communications was almost entirely due to his courage and resource.

During this, his battery carried out many successful shoots, which greatly assisted our tanks to maintain their objectives. This could not have been done without good communications..”

28th March 1943 – Y957178
09:00hrs – Regt and 8 Armoured Brigade was directed on GABES, but met slight opposition. Several Regimental targets were engaged and the Regt was shelled intermittently.
19:00hrs – Regt moved into close leaguer in area 1019.
29th March 1943 – Y1019
09:00hrs – Regt ordered to move with 8 Armoured Brigade to cut roads out of GABES. 11:55hrs – GABES was reported occupied and Regt moved north into action at 205346.
17:10hrs -HQ established for the night at 203060.
30th March 1943 – Y203060
08:20hrs – Regt moved on and came into near OUDREF.
19:00hrs – RHQ established at 176446. Regt engaged light enemy forces holding the GABES gap during the afternoon.
31st March 1943 – Y176446
13:00hrs – A quiet morning. At 13:00hrs Regt was taken out of the line for a period of rest.
Regt sent into open leaguer in area 308366.