Page 13

As C Squadron reached the final objective the leading elements of 7th Armoured Division were starting to pass through the hole which had been punched. At the same time 6th Armoured were streaming through on the right. The timing of the whole operation was extraordinarily good and the work of the artillery against enemy anti-tank guns extremely effective and splendidly executed. Only five enemy tanks were seen and they were engaged as they moved away from the final objective which was immediately converted into a firm base by our infantry and anti-tank guns. By 1500 hours C Squadron was on its way back to harbour.

On 7th May C Squadron joined B Squadron under com­mand 1st Division and in the afternoon advanced to put the King's Shropshire Light Infantry into El Bathan without loss. Lt. Col. Dawnay arrived to take command of this operation but had to return again to 78th Division that night. At 1900 hours C Squadron was ordered by commander 3rd Infantry Brigade to carry a Company of the Forresters to an area near Djedeida. This was done and C Squadron then formed close laager at 0200 hours on 8th May.

On 8th May Lt. Col. Dawnay was ordered to meet commander 78th Division at Mornaghia at 0600 hours to receive orders concerning the entry into Tunis, which had been entered by the leading elements of the armoured divisions the prev10us evening. A Squadron moved off at first light and was routed via El Bathan. Lt. Col. Dawnay at Mornaghia received orders that a Squadron of 142nd R.A.C. was to come under his command and that one Squadron of tanks was to go under command of iith Infantry Brigade and one Squadron under command of 38th Infantry Brigade.

During the morning all resistance ceased in Tunis and British Troops began to pour into the town. A Squadron N.I.H. arrived in the afternoon and Lt. Col. Dawnay then received in­structions to send this Squadron through the centre of the town to an area near Carthage. A Squadron, therefore, had the luck to have a triumphal drive through Tunis. The enthusiasm of the crowds knew no bounds and they received a truly magnificent reception.

Meanwhile Major Welch was early astir at 0430 hours to make a reconnaissance of Djedeida. Brigadier Moore, commanding 2nd Infantry Brigade, decided to attack at 1000 hours and ordered C Squadron to support the infantry across the river. Major Welch supported this attack very successfully, his own tank having the special task of dealing with a pillbox which was knocked out by 6-pounder A.P. followed by H.E. A very effective smoke screen was put down by the close support tank. Our infantry got across very quickly and took about fifty prisoners.

Major Welch then reconnoitred for a crossing and found a rather deep ford. Capt. Thomas and No. 1 Troop got cross immediately and the remainder of the Squadron was put over in a short time. The Squadron then deployed and worked round and through build­ings and woods in the vicinity. Immediately the tanks appeared about 200 more prisoners were rounded up. No. 4 Troop then carried a platoo

n of the Gordon Highlanders through Sidi Ab-dullah and No. 3 Troop took another to Chuart, both of these places being quickly occupied. Meanwhile Capt. Thomas and another Troop were rounding up more prisoners in the corn fields. Shortly after this B Squadron arrived and both Squadrons went into harbour in Chuart.

On 9th May after harbouring the night near Headquarters 78th Division which was just north-east of Mornaghia, Lt. Col. Dawnay was informed that there was to be no movement that day for his H.Q,. and A Squadron. B and C Squadrons were still under command 1st Division and remained in the vicinity of Djedeida During the afternoon the Squadron of 142nd R.A.C. was ordered to return to its Regiment which was still under command of 4th Indian Division.

On 10th May the Regiment received orders to concentrate in an area near Ain El Askar. A Squadron had to make the return march through Tunis and received another ovation on their way back. Before midnight the Regiment was safely in harbour.

During these last two days the 6th Armoured Division, who had been directed south east towards Hammamet, had carried out a brilliantly executed action against Hammam Lif, which was defended by many anti-tank guns and considered impregnable by the Germans. The 6th Armoured Division then continued on its way to Hammamet. Meanwhile 1st Armoured Division, having worked its way across the hills, arrived at Grombalia and the 4th Division made a circuit of the Cape Bon Peninsula. To the north the 7th Armoured Division moved north to meet the Ameri­cans who had captured Bizerta. During these days there were literally hordes of prisoners choking every road. Many units surrendered complete with all their equipment and were allowed to drive their lorries to the nearest prisoners' cage where they made their own cooking and sanitary arrangements. At one particular cage a German band arrived complete with instruments and in a very short time was regaling captors and captives alike with classical music.

Go to next page
or return to the
Index