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After a quiet morning, on 11th May we were informed that Generals Alexander and Anderson were going to take no chances whatsoever with the opposition that remained. General Von Arnim with his personal staff had surrendered, but had stated that he now had no control over his troops who had been ordered by the Fuhrer to fire to the last round and then surrender. Orders were consequently received that the Regiment was to come under command of 1st Division, which was to move to an area near Creteville. This movement took place throughout the night 11th-12th May, and the Regiment reached their new harbour before first light on 12th May. During this day tanks were not required and the country around was combed by 4th Indian Division, 3rd Brigade and 128th Brigade which had come under command of 1st Division. Lt. Col. Dawnay with the assiostance of the Recon­naissance and Inter-Communication Troops, helped to marshal many thousands of prisoners and to despatch them with escorts to the various cages that were being hastily prepared.

On the evening of 12th May the Regiment was ordered to put one Squadron under command of 128th Brigade for a final round up of the enemy in the area south east of Djebel Ressas. A Squadron was detailed for this job and moved out at first light on 13th May. No opposition was encountered and A Squadron were back in harbour again by the afternoon.

The operation on the 13th May proved to be our last in the campaign and the Regiment moved to an olive grove just to the west of Hammam Lif on 14th May.

25th Tank Brigade arrived very shortly afterwards and for the first time since leaving England the Brigade found itself concentrated. After two days of intensive maintenance, rest was the order of the day until news of the Victory Parade reached us. At very short notice 30 tanks were made spotless, a Regimental flag was produced and the party left for Tunis.

The Victory Parade on 20th May was a great success. Opposite the dais, which was flanked by two Churchill tanks, was formed up a Squadron of Churchills in serried Tanks. The route was lined by Churchills, Shermans and guns, and Guards of Honour of the Grenadier Guards, the Americans and the French were drawn up. General Eisenhower, General Giraud, General Alexander, General Anderson, Admiral Cunningham and Air Chief Marshal Tedder took the salute.

First came the French, preceded by a large band which played very martial music. They were splendidly received by the crowd and it was grand to hear the magnificent reception which the Goums were given by the British spectators - a fitting reward for their many daring exploits during the Campaign. There followed the Americans who had sent a few picked men from Bizerta, and then came the British contingent, headed by Commander 5th Corps, Lieut.-General C. W. Allfrey, D.S.O., M.C. The British Troops looked very proud as they marched by the saluting base to the music of drum and fife and bagpipe bands. The wheeled and tracked vehicles and the guns came right at the end of the procession and were magnificently turned out. A fly-past by the R.A.F. half way through the proceedings was very well executed and most thrilling to watch.

Thus ended the North African Campaign in which our Churchill tanks played a notable part both in defence and attack. Their effect on the morale of the enemy and the way they raised the morale of our own infantry was truly remarkable. Their feats of climbing and fire power proved most disheartening to the enemy. The Churchill tank made its name in no uncertain fashion.

The North Irish Horse came through the campaign with flying colours. The Regiment helped to stop a most determined attack on Beja and Djebel Abiod, took part in the very successful operations from Oued Zarga which culminated in the capture of Point 667, the highest peak in North Africa, and the Djebel Rmel; played a magnificent part in the capture of Longstop and, with C Squadron, helped to support 4th Indian Division in the final break through to Tunis. Considering the severity of the fighting, casualties both in personnel and tanks were remarkably light. The Regiment fought as a team and the spirit of all ranks was admirable. The Commander of 5th Corps, Lieut.-General C. W. Allfrey, D.S.O., M.C., could not have paid greater tribute to the Regiment when he said to Lt. Col. Dawnay: "Your Regiment has done extra­ordinarily well, every formation which you have served speaks well of you. I consider that a great compliment."

APPENDIX A.

Report by Capt. R. H. Bowring on the action of No. 1 Troop A Squadron, which was detached from the Regiment on 23rd April and came under command of 38th Irish Brigade.

On the morning of 23rd April, soon after arriving at Chassart Teffaha, No. 1 Troop A Squadron was ordered to move to Kelbine where it would come under command of 38th Irish Brigade. As this Troop only had two tanks Serjeant Graham's tank from No. 5 Troop was added to it. No. 1 Troop moved by steep and winding tracks and en route had some difficulty in crossing a wadi. After some excellent work by the R.Es this was safely accom­plished. Capt. Bowring then reported to Brigadier Russell and was immediately taken up on to the height of Bettiour to see the enemy positions. As a result of this reconnaissance, Brigadier Russell decided that the tanks could reach Heidous and they were sent up to the head of the valley. As soon as they showed them­selves they were accurately shelled by a light gun and withdrew after Serjeant Graham's tank had suffered a direct hit.

On 24th April the Troop remained in harbour behind Bettiour. The officer commanding Royal Irish Fusiliers that day sent in a report that there was possible tank country along the Kef El Tiour. Brigadier Russell then planned an attack to take place the next day at 1000 hours to capture Buller's Hill; the Troop was also to shoot the enemy out of the rocky face of the Djebel Tanngoucha so as to enable the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers to advance on the other side.

During the night of 24th-25th April the enemy withdrew from Heidous. The attack went in according to plan; both objectives were captured and approximately 150 prisoners were taken. In the course of this assault an enemy anti-tank gun was met near Heidous but the crew had all been killed by our shell fire. The Troop remained in a counter-attack role until last light and then returned to harbour.

No. 1 Troop rejoined A Squadron at Chassart Teffaha on 27th April.

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