Operation Crusader: Difference between revisions

On 2 December, believing that he would not be attacked until 3 December, Rommel sent two columns, each comprising an infantry battalion, an anti-tank company and some artillery to open the routes to Bardia, Capuzzo and Sollum, with XX Corps along the Trigh Capuzzo, guarding the southern flank. On 3 December, the German columns were spotted by air reconnaissance, despite poor weather. The northern column was ambushed by the 5th New Zealand Infantry Brigade on the Bardia road, {{cvt|10|mi}} west offof the port, near Menastir and "almost annihilated" (Playfair, 2004).{{sfn|Playfair|2004|pp=74–75}}

The southern column, on the Trigh Capuzzo, met Goldforce (based on the [[The Central India Horse (21st King George V's Own Horse)|Central India Horse]] reconnaissance regiment) and was subjected to an artillery bombardment and attacksattacked by Blenheim bombers and Hurricane fighter-bombers.{{sfn|Murphy|1961|pp=476–478}} On 3 December, Rommel ordered the capture Ed Duda to un-blockopen the Tobruk bypass and another attempt to relieve the frontier forts. On 4 December, the attack on Ed Duda was abandoned and the columns heading towards Bardia and Sidi Azeiz were recalled. Rommel decided to send the two panzer divisions with the "Ariete" Division and the "Trieste" Division southwards, which depleted the force around Tobruk and; the troops on the eastern side were withdrawn.{{sfn|Playfair|2004|p=75}}