The action started the following morning, even as Fedorov began the reconnaissance mission with Kinlan and O’Connor. 8th Panzer Regiment of the 15th Panzer Division led the way, running into a few Morris armored cars and light infantry carriers of the 9th Australian Cav, posted to this flank well away from their division, which was north behind the escarpment. The Aussies fell back, joining the cavalry elements of the 2nd New Zealand that were also there to watch that flank. I/8th Panzers had 27 Panzer IIIH, and 18 lighter Panzer IIF tanks, which was more than enough to outgun the armored cars, and Bir el Khamsa fell that afternoon. The Germans were now about 12 kilometers from Mishiefa air field, screened by the imposing height of hill 748 and some old ruins that were so common in the desert, the crumbled forts and towers of empires long gone.
Rommel was up to his old habits again, leaving the bulk of his headquarters staff behind and moving forward in a few light Kubelwagons with two or three handpicked officers. He had acquired a big armored British truck which the Germans had taken to calling the Malmut, or ‘Mammoth,’ but he found it too cumbersome during a battle. When an engagement began he was tireless, forsaking food, sleep, and even water to make certain the action was proceeding according to his plan. Learning that Bir el Khamsa had fallen, he was headed in that direction, intending to make it his HQ location for that night.
Along the way three British Hurricanes swooped down to strafe his column, but his men sustained no casualties and all the vehicles remained in working condition. He reached the small well, which was little more than a cistern tucked away in the desert camelthorn scrub, and a few untended cultivation plots where itinerate tribesmen had once thought to grow something.
That evening there was still fighting up ahead, and I/8th Panzer managed to get tanks around Hill 230, only to find that a British Machinegun Battalion was there at another small well site called Bir Arnab. It was also learned that the old ruins five kilometers to the southeast at Makhzan el Talat were also occupied by the 28th Maori Infantry Battalion, a tough, determined band that was to become the most decorated battalion in the New Zealand Army before the war was over.
Hauptmann Hans Kummel had the 1st Company in the 8th Panzer Regiment, and reported back that the ground ahead was strongly held, and there was no light for an attack, and even less fuel. His lead Panzer IIs were down to 30 % and the Medium Panzer IIIs were equally dry. He had enough to attack, but thought they should wait until morning, given he had what looked to be two full battalions in front of him now.
Rommel knew that Kummel was no slouch, nor was the Regimental commander, Oberstleutnant Cramer. When the British decided to stand and fight, the Germans had learned to be a little cautious. The first commander of the 15th Panzer Division, von Prittwitz, also a holder of the Blue Max, had charged off to scout an artillery firing position for the Italians near Tobruk and was killed instantly when a hidden British 2 Pounder anti tank gun put a round right through his chest. If Kummel wanted to wait, then Rommel decided he had better have a look for himself.
Just after sunset he moved forward to scout the enemy position, satisfying himself that it had indeed been heavily reinforced. His instinct was to continue to jog right, outflanking the defense, but each move like that forced him to leave elements of his division along the extended front, diluting his combat power at the point of that maneuver. To make matters worse, the motorcycle reconnaissance troops of 200th Kradschutzen from 15th Panzer Division had reported back that the hill he had hoped to reach the following day was now being strongly occupied by what looked to be a full brigade of infantry.
“A brigade?” he asked the Leutnant reporting. “Are you certain your eyes are not playing tricks? Where would the British get yet another brigade to throw on the line?”
“These did not appear to be British troops, Herr General. They looked to be Poles from the unit markings and flags we observed.”
“Poles?” Rommel shook his head. “Didn’t they get enough back in ’39? Very well, you may return to your battalion. But I want that position scouted again at dawn. Move out before sunrise.”
The unit was, in fact, the Carpathian Infantry Brigade, which was Wavell’s last reserve. It had been moving up from the vicinity of Mersa Matruh, and had reached the scene at a most opportune time, for the report gave Rommel pause and he decided to wait until morning before pressing the attack further.
