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The capture of "Longstop Hill", Tunisia, is well documented in official histories and books written about the campaign in North Africa. What is rarely told is the profound effect that the success of Churchill tanks of the North Irish Horse in support of the Infantry of the 78th "Battleaxe" Division, was to have on future battles in Italy and in NW Europe. While the tanks were not always properly deployed in the latter theatre, when they were, the Churchill's contribution was significant, especially that given by Hobart's 'Funnies'.

How did "Longstop" get its name? The German Army, having recognised the strategic value of Djebels el Ahmera and Rhar fortified them both. While the Allies recognised that the capture of the feature was essential, before a drive to liberate Tunis could commence, it was not known that it consisted of twin peaks.

The Rocky Crest of Djebel Rhar - the Second Peak

On the night of 22/23 December 1942, the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards mounted an attack, capturing what was thought to be all of the massif, before being relieved by the 18th US Regimental Combat Team while heavy rain fell. The Germans counter-attacked driving the Americans off Djebel el Ahmera. The next night the Guards successfully recaptured the hill only to find, when daylight came, that another summit, Djebel Rhar, remained to be assaulted. During the night the Guards once again attacked but, after capturing the second hill, were driven off by a furious counter-attack by the Germans on Christmas Day. Thereafter the massif was known by the Allies as "Longstop Hill" and by the Germans "Der Weihnachten Hügel". The name Longstop is "taken from the lay-back position near the boundary of the cricket field, containing as it does a hint of ne plus Ultra, thus far and no further." (Quote from 'At All Costs' by Bryan Perrett).

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