Page Twenty-one
Return to Duty

Back with the Squadron, laagered near Oued Zarga, it seemed that everyone wanted to relate their experiences during the past few weeks. Obviously, contrary to what we had heard at the Echelon, the air attacks had been much more sustained. At first I could not believe that a German aircraft had been shot down by one of the Churchills. Equally so was the driver of Ballyrashane-4, Harry Jenkins, tale of Luftwaffe pilot landing by parachute almost on top of his tank. Belief came to these and other stories on seeing the two 30mm shells that were fused into Bangor's port side.

Two of 'B' Squadron's personnel had been hurt while under attack from the Luftwaffe. Both incidents were the result of a once-in-a-million happenstance. Driver "Paddy" Hember had his right arm broken when a shell had hit exactly on the tip of one of the conical bolts, affixing the appliqué armour, propelling it into the driver's compartment As usual, when fighting in the mountains, the 6-pdrs were loaded with HE. By chance, a shell from an attacking Messerschmitt went right up the gun's barrel, causing it to fire - the operator (his name eludes me) suffered a broken left shoulder when he was in the way of its recoil.

The next day several REME personnel arrived to T&A (Test & Adjust) the Squadron's guns which had been much used over the past few weeks. During this effort a most bizarre accident occurred when it came to the turn of one tank which, as were the others, was parked beneath one of the many scrubby trees in the laager area.

About 100 yards away was a Churchill with its guns aimed directly at Major Russell's Humber Car in which he was sitting eating a meal. When a crew member climbed into the turret, to remove the HE shell in the 6-pdr, the gun suddenly fired. By sheer good luck the shell exploded when it hit the branches of the tree, however, the car was peppered with shrapnel. Fortunately Major Russell wasn't hit but a piece of shrapnel actually landed on his plate. I cannot recall his exact words but, on stepping out of the car, he nonchalantly handed the plate to his very worried driver/batman saying that it was more than he could chew.

The Key to Victory

A day or so later, on the 23rd, began the assault on Longstop Hill in which, with Sgt. Burns once more in command, Bangor took part. 'B' Squadron's objective for the first day was to assist in the capture of Djebel Chaibine, a preliminary to the main assault.

Subsequent to the lower peak being cleared of the enemy, the task of attacking the higher was given to the Royal East Kents - the Buffs - supported by Churchills of 'B' Squadron. Major Russell, aboard Ballyrashane led the way followed by Bangor, commanded by Sergeant 'Roy' Burns, and two tanks of 4 Troop.

This picture shows how steep was the approach facing the Churchills. In the foreground are Ballyrashane and Bangor. Notice the rear-mounted auxiliary fuel containers on both tanks - quickly dumped later when coming under shellfire. In the middle distance can be seen the tanks of 4 Troop that Major Russell had ordered to make an attempt to reach the summit of Djebel Rhar. On the left can just be seen Lieutenant Michael Pope's tank, working its the way up the western edge, and to the right, Sergeant Edward O'Hare's Churchill on its way up the southern edge. Lt. Pope's Churchill having come up against a small cliff was unable to make further progress however, Sgt. Hare's tank with the Buffs managed to reach the top and the battle was over.

As this victory had a significant impact on the future of the Churchill tank, this addendum The Battle for Longstop Hill may well be of interest with its photograph of the HQF and 4 Troop Churchills approaching the summit.

The death of L/Corporal William C. Jamieson was the Regiment's only loss of life during four days of furious fighting. It was not as a result of enemy action rather he was killed on the final day when a bolt of "dry" lighting hit the turret of his tank. The other two in the turret were burned, fortunately, both the driver and co-driver escaped unharmed. The Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery is the L/Corporal's final resting place.

Three days later tanks of 'B' Squadron took up positions, between Banana Ridge and the tree-lined road across the mouth of Medjerda Valley, awaiting orders to prise open the direct road to Tunis. Looking to the north it was more than obvious, without first capturing Longstop Hill, no such offensive could have been possible.

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