Post by Diarist on Feb 12, 2016 15:04:18 GMT 1
Our flight to the drop zone left Mersa Matruh just after 03:00 and we entered Libyan airspace 50km north of El Grein. We headed due south and jumped about 15 minutes later. We could see the Italian positions under artillery fire to the east. Our force was the same as in Eritrea a few days ago. We had arranged with the Green Howards that we would attack from the south and southwest after they had got the enemy's attention attacking from the north and east. While we were heading towards the enemy positions a squadron of Fairey Gordons bombed and strafed the fort.
The Lewis MG section was set up about 400m to the west of the enemy while the rest of us crawled nearer so we could assault from the southwest. When smoke shells started to rain in we moved forward, many of us with hand grenades ready. No idea why it is called a fort because there are few defensive positions - mainly buildings. It is more like a desert outpost. We threw a few hand grenades into the nearest buildings then one squad took up positions in and around them. They opened fire as the smoke started to clear while I was with the other two squads probing further east. One squad with me took up positions at a second group of buildings while the third squad headed towards a third group of buildings. Just after my group had thrown hand grenades I heard the Lewis MG's begin firing. They had been ordered to wait for an attractive target before revealing their position.
I was now on the radio talking to MAJ Jenkins from the Green Howards who informed me that his forward units had made contact with the Italians and that they were surrendering. I signalled to my forces to hold fire unless under attack while I was calling on the Italians opposing us to surrender, too. After a couple of minutes groups of Italians stood up with their hand held up. The fighting was over. Our enemy revealed itself to be nothing more than a company-strength group of militia. The gross of the garrison had left to attack our forces at Siwa. We had taken a few casualties this time mainly in the squad which had first opened fire. No fatalities though.
Ten minutes later Green Howards HQ section arrived and I went with CPT Franklin to meet them. MAJ Jenkins had already sent a squad to the north to warn us of any enemy forces which might decide to head in our direction while a platoon was leaving to occupy a ridge south of El Grein. The 196th CCNN Legion "Petrarca" at Fort Capuzzo is also under attack so it is unlikely that the Italians will send troops south. El Grein's 271st CCNN Legion "Vespri" on the Siwa front has been under artillery fire since daybreak so it too was unlikely to try to retake El Grein. In the meantime we shall be inspecting the 'fort' while awaiting further orders.
