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On 2nd April, Lt. Col. Dawnay was summoned to attend a Conference at Headquarters, 46th Division. He was surprised to meet there Major-General Evelegh, commanding 78th Division, and his brigadiers and C.R.A. Major-General Evelegh then gave out that there was to be an offensive which was to start on the night 6th-7th April and which embraced the capture of Djebel Dourat, Djebel Outiah, Point 512 and Point 624 on the right, and Djebel En Nahel, Mergueb, Chaouach and Point 667 on the left. The Regiment was to come under command of 36th Infantry Brigade, commander Brigadier B. Howlett, D.S.O., for these operations. After much reconnaissance and an explanation of the plan on a cloth model at Headquarters 78th Division, we had a quiet day on 6th April in readiness for our night march. The following report on the operations was submitted to Brigadier R. H. Maxwell, Commanding 25th Tank Brigade, by Lt. Col. Dawnay.

   During the night 6th-9th April, N.I.H., less C Squadron H.Q. and four Troops, moved from Beja to Oued Zarga heights. We started to move forward again at 0330 hours and the artillery opened with a tremendous roar at 0350 hours. Passing through Oued Zarga we got into position due south of Point 226 near Sidi Ameur Ben Rhibi
   The 5th Buffs meantime had attacked Djebel En Nahel before first light and had succeeded in capturing this feature except for an obstinately held little pimple on the northern slopes. Two Troops, one B Squadron and one C Squadron, under Capt. Finch-Noyes, were immediately sent to co-operate and at 0700 hours I took Major Strickland forward on a personal reconnaissance on foot and could see no movement in the valley except for a small party of Germans. On moving further forward we could see into the Doctor Bed Valley and we noticed a lot of transport moving north east. This seemed to indicate that the enemy were withdrawing and shortly afterwards I ordered A Squadron to advance north towards Point 361. This was done very cautoiusly with one Troop in front and the feature was reported clear with no signs of the enemy in the valley. I immediately ordered B Squadron to move north west and to occupy Point 391.
shortly afterwards Brigadier Hewlett instructed me to send the remainder of B Squadron. Capt. Finch Noyes then worked round the right flank and the enemy fled from the pimple, abandoning two infantry guns, while Major Russell took three troops of his squadron to Point 1259 and on towards the Oued Bouneb which he successfully shot up and from which the enemy with¬drew. During this movement two tanks ran on to a minefield and were damaged.
   The next phase of the operations as far as 36th Brigade was concerned was the capture of Mergueb Chaouach. The plan was for the Argylls to work up the Oued Bouneb and 6th Royal West Kents to use Oued Maiou. A and B Squadrons were to cross the Oued Bouneb near Italian Farm and then support the infantry forward over the open and up the slopes on to the objective. The start was fixed for 1600 hours but the infantry were late due to mines and difficult going in the oueds and the operation did not begin until shortly after 1730 hours. Owing to the infantry being late B Squadron was forced to stay in the open near Point 226 awaiting 6th Royal West Kents while A squadron managed to remain concealed near the Oued Bouneb.
   The advance was a complete success and, although casualties were suffered by the infantry, Chaouach was in our hands by i goo hours. Towards the end of the advance our squadrons were dive-bombed but Spitfires appeared out of the clouds and shot down eight Stukas, the pilot of one landing by parachute near Major Russell's tank. Owing to the delay the artillery were forced to keep their programme going for nearly two hours. N.I.H. then returned to harbour in the assembly positions of the morning.
   On 8th April the 5th Buffs were ordered to secure Point 667 which is the highest feature in the vicinity A squadron was ordered to support by moving on the Buffs' left flank as far up the slopes as possible. When the Buffs reached Oued El Djeb they were held up by fairly strong opposition and suffered some casualties. A Squadron moved up to this wadi to help them to advance, and was then heavily shelled by our own artillery. The Buffs continued the advance and two troops of "A" Squadron under Capt. Mackean crossed the oued by a defile after he had removed enemy mines. These two troops then turned east and took up a position near a white house on the slopes up to Point 667, which soon after was captured by the Buffs.

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