Index
Ships of all nationalities are in their alphabetical places in italics.
Groups, Wings, Squadrons and other units of the RAF are under Royal Air Force. Squadrons of the FAA are under Fleet Air Arm.
Squadrons of the RAAF and SAAF are under Royal Australian Air Force and South African Air Force.
Corps, Divisions, Brigades and Battalions of the British forces are under those headings.
Cavalry and armoured units are listed under Regiments.
Other units and branches of the Army are under their titles: e.g. Royal Artillery.
Formations of the German and Italian Armies are under German Army or Italian Army.
–A–
‘Ackcol’: 342
ACROBAT: importance of, 119, 142
and withdrawals from Middle East, 123, 125-6, 133
and retreat to Gazala, 153
mentioned, 204
Acroma: defence of, 217, 238, 242-3, 247
loss of, 264
Admiralty: and human torpedoes, 115
and convoys to Malta, 182, 303
on 10th Submarine Flotilla, 185
and long-range bombers, 190
Adriatico: 106
Agedabia: airfield raided, 89
air attacks on, 150
Agnew, Captain W. G.: 103-4
Aimone-Cat, General Mario: 21
Aircraft:
reclassification of bombers, 93
particulars of, 445-56
arrivals of in Middle East, 458-9
Airedale, 312
Airfields:
in an advance, 13
in Cyrenaica affecting Malta, 156, 161, 200, 280
in a retreat, 282
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East: see Tedder, and for joint action, Commanders-in-Chief
Air Support:
and lessons from Operation ‘Battleaxe, 13-4
in Operation CRUSADER, 14-5, 19, 35, 51, 76, 94, 98-9
problems of bomb-line, 35, 83, 208, 234-5, 293, 296, 336
identification in, 35, 55, 208
first use of fighter-bombers for, 43
comparison of British with enemy, 71
in retreat to Gazala, 138-9, 146-7
further development of, 208
first use of tank-destroying Hurricanes in, 235
in Battle of Gazala, 245, 255-6, 258
in defence of Tobruk, 259
in withdrawal to Matruh, 280-2
and round the clock bombing, 288, 337
in withdrawal to El Alamein, 295-6
in fighting at El Alamein, 335-7
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 385, 391
Alagi: 320
Alam el Halfa: Battle of, 383-91
Albastro: 329
Alberto Fassio: 382n
Alexander, General the Hon. Sir Harold: see also Commanders-in-Chief
and GYMNAST, 121
on training, 153
replaces Auchinleck, 205, 367-9
Prime Minister’s directive to, 369
and morale of 8th Army, 369-70
and Persia and Iraq Command, 375-6
his burden eased, 376
Alexandria: air attacks on, 212, 337, 381
Almeria Lykes, s.s. (American): 320
Aly Maher Pasha: 130
Ambra: 192
Anderson, Brigadier A.: and operation CRUSADER, 75
Antelat: capture of, 142-3
Anti-Submarine Group, 25th (South African): 90
Argus, HMS:
and fighter reinforcements for Malta, 163, 182
and HARPOON convoy, 301-3
Ark Royal, HMS:
and fighter reinforcements for Malta, 108, 162
Armies:
8th:
formation of, 1-2
command of, 1, 61, 285-7, 367-9
and operation CRUSADER, 7, 10, 15, 17, 34-8, 42-4, 46, 54, 71
and Long Range Desert Group, 9
supplies and reinforcements for, 10-11, 73, 91, 135-6, 142, 205, 216, 243-4, 371-2
strength and state of, 29-31, 34, 143, 198, 216-20, 226, 252, 286, 296, 333, 359, 366, 369-72, 388, 412-3
mentioned, 56, 73, 77, 85, 98, 148, 291, 293-4, 336, 373, 393
air support for, 86, 256, 294, 358, 380. 390
co-operates with Desert Air Force, 98, 370
in retreat to Gazala, 151, 197, 209
Panzerarmee’s views on, 154
and Malta convoy, 164
and a resumed offensive, 201
in Battle of Gazala, 216-9, 238, 252, 392
and defence of Tobruk, 245-9, 252-3, 259, 271-3, 275
its withdrawal to Matruh, 279-81
its withdrawal to El Alamein, 287, 292-6
in fighting at El Alamein, 332-3, 335, 361
lacks confidence in armour, 359
morale of, 369-70
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383, 388, 391
Armistice, French: 120
Armstrong, Brigadier B. F.: 43
Army in Middle East: see also 8th, 9th and 10th Armies
reorganization of, 3-4
losses of, 9
wireless difficulties of, 36-7
distribution of, 412-3
Artillery Weapons: note on, 427-33
Ascari: 306
Ashanti, HMS: 319-20
Athens: air attacks on airfields at, 211
Attendolo: 323
Auchinleck, General Sir Claude: see also Commanders-in-Chief
organizes his forces, 1-4, 213, 286-7
and command in Western Desert, 1, 205, 286
and northern front, 1, 81, 126, 197, 205, 362-4
and operation CRUSADER, 2-6, 11-12, 23-4, 42, 52, 56, 70, 73, 96-7, 101, 121
and Tobruk, 22-5, 197, 245-9, 253, 255, 258-9, 264, 275
and General Cunningham, 60-1
and an advance into Tripolitania, 119, 135, 362, 364
and diversions and withdrawals, 123, 125-7, 199
and reinforcements, 127, 199, 366
and Persia and Iraq command, 128-9, 205, 367-8, 375-6
and retreat to Gazala, 135, 142-3, 145-7
and Godwin-Austen, 152
on weakness in armour, 153
and GOC Malta, 161
and timing of a resumed offensive, 183-4, 198-202, 204-5, 215-6, 366-7
and Western Cyrenaican airfields, 197
and priority of commitments, 204-5, 363-4
replaced by Alexander, 205, 267-9, 376
and Battle of Gazala, 218, 226, 228-9, 231, 236, 238, 242, 275
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 281, 285
commands 8th Army, 285-6
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 286-7, 290-1, 293-6
and fighting at El Alamein, 331-6, 342-5, 347, 352-3, 357, 359-60
and defence of Egypt, 334
praises RAF, 335
and operation TORCH, 362
on shortage of transport, 366
Prime Minister’s views on, 367-8, 376
fine qualities of, 367-8, 376-7
becomes C.-in-C., India, 376
Aujila: capture of, 50
Aurora, HMS: and enemy convoys, 103-4, 106, 113-4
in convoy operations, 111
leaves Malta, 172
Australian Government: 23-4, 127, 282
Axis Armistice Commissions: 120
–B–
Bach, Major: 95-6
Bagnold, Colonel RA: 8
Baheira: air attacks on, 17
‘Barbarossa’: 131
Barbasetti di Prun, General Curio: 378
Barbiano: 109
Barce: air attacks on, 17, 87, 210
Bardia:
bombardment of, 43
air attacks on, 93n
captured, 95-6
as supply base, 378
Barrowclough, Brigadier H. E.: 50, 68
Bastico, Marshal Ettore:
and North Africa command, 20, 378
and defence of Cyrenaica, 79-80, 84-5
and advance to Gazala, 145, 151-2
and an advance into Egypt, 278
Bathurst, HMAS: 124
Battalions:
2/28th Australian: 358
3/10th Baluch: 349
4/10th Baluch: 233-4
2nd, The Buffs: 389n
2nd, The Cameron Highlanders:
and surrender, 273
The Cape Town Highlanders: 250
2nd, The Cheshire Regiment: 227n
3rd, Coldstream Guards:
and operation CRUSADER, 85n, 86, 88
and retreat to Gazala, 138n
mentioned, 273
and fighting at El Alamein, 348n
Die Middellandse: 264
1st, The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry: 232, 234
6th, The Durham Light Infantry: 358
8th, The Durham Light Infantry: 251
9th, The Durham Light Infantry: 251, 289
4th, The East Yorkshire Regiment: 227n
5th, The East Yorkshire Regiment: 251, 358
1st, The Essex Regiment: 61, 65, 69
1/4th, The Essex Regiment: 342n, 348n, 349
2/5th, The Essex Regiment: 340n, 341
3rd, Frontier Force Regiment: 354
4th, The Green Howards: 227n
5th, The Green Howards, 227n
7th, The Green Howards: 232
2/3rd Gurkha Rifles: 340n, 341
2/4th Gurkha Rifles: 233-4
2/7th Gurkha Rifles: at Tobruk, 262, 264, 267, 271, 273
2nd, Highland Light Infantry: 233-4
3/9th, The Jat Regiment: 234
The Kaffrarian Rifles: 270-1
2nd, The King’s Own Royal Regiment: 43n
1st, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps: 45, 257
2nd, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps: 138n, 223
9th, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps: 224n
2/5th, Mahratta Light Infantry: 262, 264-5, 267
20th New Zealand: 68-9
21st New Zealand: 64, 292, 350
24th New Zealand: 67
25th New Zealand: 355
3/14th Punjab: 357
4/16th Punjab: 48n
1/6th, Rajputana Rifles: 256n, 258
4/6th Rajputana Rifles: 349
3/7th Rajput Regiment: 354n, 355
50th, Reconnaissance Corps: 74, 233-4
2nd, Regiment Botha: 355
1st, The Rifle Brigade: 137, 138n
2nd, The Rifle Brigade: 45, 224n
7th, The Rifle Brigade: 356n
9th, The Rifle Brigade:
and operation CRUSADER, 91n
and retreat to Gazala, 138n, 141n
and fighting at El Alamein, 348n
3/18th, Royal Garhwal Rifles: 256n, 258
1st, The Royal Natal Carbineers: 231
1st, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers: 342n, 348n
4th, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers: 61-2, 74n
now see 50th, Reconnaissance Corps
1st, The Royal Sussex Regiment: 48n
4th, The Royal West Kent Regiment: 389n
5th, The Royal West Kent Regiment: 389n
2nd, Scots Guards:
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 85n, 86
and retreat to Gazala, 138n, 141, 143
and Battle of Gazala, 238, 242
and fighting at El Alamein 348n
1st The Sherwood Foresters: 262, 270
4/11th, Sikh Regiment: 48n, 340n, 341
1st, The South Wales Borderers: 256n, 258
2nd, The Transvaal Scottish: 264
3rd, The Transvaal Scottish: 47
1st The Welch Regiment: 149
2nd, The West Yorkshire Regiment: 233
1st, The Worcestershire Regiment: 249, 262, 270-1
2nd, The York and Lancaster Regiment: 43n
BATTLEAXE:
training in, 5
army/air cooperation in, 13
German tactics in, 28
lessons of, 101
Bayerlein, Colonel Fritz: 386
Beak, Major-General D. M. W.: 161
Beamish, Air Commodore G. R.: 139
Beckett, Brigadier C. T.: 179
Bedouin, HMS: 304-7
Beeley, Rifleman J.: 44
Belhamed:
capture of, 6,
lost, 68
destruction of base at, 244
attacked, 256-7
withdrawal from, 258
Benghazi:
air attacks on, 16-7, 60, 70, 87, 102, 190, 209-10, 288, 325, 336, 345
defence of, 16
fall of, 149-51
Benina:
air attacks on, 17, 60, 87, 210
Beresford-Peirse, Lieut.-General Sir Noel: 1
Berka: air attacks on, 17, 60, 87, 210, 244
Bhutan, m.v.: 310
Bir el Gubi:
mentioned, 33
Bir el Khireigat: action at, g
Bir Hacheim:
air attacks on, 51, 225, 230, 236
capture of, 235-7
Bismarck, Major-General Georg yon: 386
Blarney, General Sir Thomas: 23
Bolzano: 323
Bonaventure, HMS: 117
Borain, Brigadier C. E.: 95
Boucher, General Karl: 53, 58, 64
Boucher, Brigadier C. H.: 232
Boyd, Rear-Admiral D. W.: 158
Bragadin, Captain M. A.: 70n, 106n, 189n, 327n, 330n
Brauchitsch, Field-Marshal yon: 132
Breconshire, HMS:
carries supplies to Malta, 110-14, 155-6, 158-60, 164, 170, 324
sinks, 171
mentioned, 178
Brereton, Major-General Lewis H.: 374
Brigades and Brigade Groups:
Armoured:
1st Army Tank:
equipped, 4
and operation CRUSADER, 30, 37, 61, 94-5
strength and state of, 69, 220
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 224-5, 226n, 227
32nd Army Tank
formed, 5
arrives at Tobruk, 25
and operation CRUSADER, 30, 38, 43, 61
in Battle of Gazala, 217, 219, 232-3, 242
strength of, 220, 238, 240n, 241n, 262
in defence of Tobruk, 261, 263-4, 267
1st:
strength and state of, 220, 239
re-equipped, 281n
2nd:
strength and state of, 73, 137-8, 240n, 241n, 349n
and retreat to Gazala, 137-8, 141, 144-5
in Battle of Gazala, 217, 224-6, 229, 233-4, 239-40, 242-3, 249
in fighting at El Alamein, 345, 348-9, 351. 354-6, 358
4th:
equipped, 4-5
and operation CRUSADER, 8, 28, 37, 38n, 39-49, 54, 56, 62, 63n, 67-8, 75, 81-4
in Battle of Gazala, 217, 224-6, 229, 231-2, 234, 236, 239-40, 242-3, 253, 257-9
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 289-91
in fighting at El Alamein, 341-3
strength of, 343n
now see 4th Light
4th Light:
in fighting at El Alamein, 353, 357-8
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 386
7th:
equipped, 4-5
in operation CRUSADER, 37, 38n, 39-42, 44, 46-9, 54, 56
withdrawn to Egypt, 62
for Far East, 125
8th:
for Western Desert, 249
state of, 281n
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 387
losses of, 391
22nd:
for Middle East, 4
strength and state of, 5, 12, 30, 48-50, 63n, 65n, 88, 91, 136-7, 240n, 281, 43n, 349n
in operation CRUSADER, 37, 38n, 39-42, 45-50, 54, 62, 63n, 73n, 88-9, 91-2, 136-7
mentioned, 67
in Battle of Gazala, 217, 224-6, 229, 232-4, 240-2, 249
re-equipped, 254
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 289
in fighting at El Alamein, 341-3, 348-9, 351, 354, 357
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 386-7, 391
24th: 353n
Infantry:
24th Australian:
at Tobruk, 22
relief of, 25
in fighting at El Alamein, 351, 357-8
69th (British):
and Battle of Gazala, 216-7, 251
and retreat to El Alamein, 285, 288, 293
in fighting at El Alamein, 357-8
131st (British): 384
133rd (British): 384
150th (British): 73-4, 216-7, 226-30
151st (British):
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 229, 251
and retreat to El Alamein, 288-9, 293, 295
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 388
1st Free French:
raids by, 164
in Battle of Gazala, 217, 230-1, 235-7
2nd Free French: 217
22nd Guards:
on the frontier, 9
and operation CRUSADER, 39, 56, 73, 77, 81, 85, 89, 91
and retreat to Gazala, 137
now see 200th Guards
200th Guards:
and retreat to Gazala, 137-8, 141, 143, 145
state of, 138
redesignation of, 217n
now see 201st (Guards) Motor
5th Indian:
and operation CRUSADER, 9, 37, 52, 82, 85
and Battle of Gazala, 217
at Matruh, 288
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 289-91. 293
in fighting at El Alamein, 347. 349, 351
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387-9
7th Indian:
and operation CRUSADER, 9, 37, 39n, 41, 48, 50, 57n, 69, 82, 85
and retreat to Gazala, 141, 145, 149, 151
9th Indian:
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 232-4
in fighting at El Alamein, 354, 357
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 385-6
11th Indian:
and operation CRUSADER, 9, 37, 39n, 52, 73, 75-7
leaves Tobruk, 145
to join 8th Army, 218
and defence of Tobruk, 261-2, 264, 267, 269
18th Indian: 340-1
29th Indian:
and operation CRUSADER, 38
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 235-6, 238, 249, 253-6
and retreat to El Alamein, 288-9, 294-5
38th Indian: 73
4th New Zealand:
and operation CRUSADER, 37, 50, 57, 6,, 68, 81
and retreat to El Alamein, 291, 293
mentioned, 292
in fighting at El Alamein, 343, 347, 349-50
refitting, 384n
5th New Zealand:
and operation CRUSADER, 37, 50, 59, 61, 69, 73-5
and retreat to El Alamein, 290-3
in fighting at El Alamein, 347-8
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 389
6th New Zealand:
and operation CRUSADER, 37, 50, 61-2, 65, 67-8
and retreat to El Alamein, 288
in fighting at El Alamein, 342, 354-5
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 389
1st Polish Carpathian:
and operation CRUSADER, 44, 81-2
1st South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 37, 50, 52, 54, 57, 62-4, 66-7, 69, 73
in Battle of Gazala, 217, 231, 250
in fighting at El Alamein, 342
2nd South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 94
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 250-1
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387
3rd South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 95-6
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 250-1
4th South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 96
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 264, 269, 271
5th South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 37, 43, 46-7, 49
in fighting at El Alamein, 343
6th South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 96
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 264, 269-72
Motor:
7th (British):
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 223-4, 231, 235-7, 240n, 242, 259
and retreat to El Alamein, 285, 286n, 289-90
in fighting at El Alamein, 343-4, 353
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 386
201st Guards:
under Ritchie’s command, 217
in Battle of Gazala, 229, 238, 249
at Tobruk, 261-2, 264, 267, 269-70
3rd Indian:
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 223-4, 253
and retreat to El Alamein, 285, 289
9th Indian: 217
161st Indian: 353-5
Briggs, Brigadier (later Major-General) H. R.:
and operation CRUSADER, 48
and retreat to Gazala, 149
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 232
Briggs, Brigadier R:
and retreat to Gazala, 138, 141, 143-4
and fighting at El Alamein, 349
wounded, 354
Brindisi: air attacks on, 15-6
Brink, Major-General G. L.: 12, 37, 43
Brisbane Star, m.v.: 320-2
British Ambassador in Egypt: 130, 374n
British Ambassador in Iraq: 374n
British Ambassador in Washington: 120
British Government: see War Cabinet, and Defence Committee
Brooke, General Sir Alan, Chief of the Imperial General Staff:
mentioned, 121n
in Cairo with Churchill, 362, 364, 367, 376
visits Russia, 366
and Middle East Commands, 367, 368n, 369
and directive to Alexander, 369
Brown Ranger, tanker: 301
Burma:
threat to, 128
under Wavell’s command, 128
Japanese invade, 200
Burrough, Rear-Admiral H. M.: 317, 319-22
Burrows, Brigadier J. T.: 351
–C–
Cairo, HMS:
escorts USS Wasp, 182
in HARPOON convoy, 301-2, 304-7
in PEDESTAL convoy, 317, 319-20
Campbell, Brigadier (later Major-General) J. C.:
and action at Bir el Khireigat, 9
and operation CRUSADER, 44-5
killed, 217n
and ‘Jock’ columns, 254
Cantore: 326
Cape Bon: action off, 109-10
Cape Matapan:
action off, 170
Capo Faro: 106
Carabiniere: 160
Caracciolo: 90
Carlisle, HMS: in convoy operations, 101-11, 157, 159. 164-5, 172
Carlo del Greco: 87n
Casey, Rt. Hon. R. G.:
appointed Minister of State, 129-30
and Dobbie, 186
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 279
and northern front, 362
mentioned, 364
and Middle East Command, 367
and Middle East War Council, 374n
and Persia and Iraq, 376
Castel Benito:
air attacks on, 17
Castel Vetrano:
air attacks on, 94
Casualties:
in operation CRUSADER, 45, 47, 50, 57, 62, 93, 96-7, 152
in retreat to Gazala, 152
at Malta, 185
in Battle of Gazala, 223, 236, 238-9, 251
in retreat to El Alamein, 293
at El Alamein, 343, 351, 355-6, 358
Army, Nov. 1941–July 1942, 372
at Alam el Halfa, 388-91
Catania:
attempted raid on, 328
Cauldron, The:
fighting in, 231-5
Cavallero, Marshal Ugo:
and operation
CRUSADER, 84-5
and advance to Gazala, 145-6
and a pursuit into Egypt, 278, 338
and reinforcements, 338
and North Africa Command, 378
Centurion, HMS: 308
Cerion, petrol carrier: 216
Chakdina, HMS: 90
Champion de Crespigny, Air Vice-Marshal H. V.: 424
Chant, s.s. (American!: 301, 305
Chantala, HMS: 90
Chappel, Brigadier B. H.: 43
Charing Cross:
air attacks on, 295
Charybdis, HMS:
in PEDESTAL convoy, 317, 320, 323
Chief of the Air Staff:
see Portal
Chief of the Imperial General Staff:
see Dill and Brooke
Chiefs of Staff:
and Auchinleck, 24
on future offensive plans, 119
and operation GYMNAST, 121-2
and priority of commitments, 121-2, 363-6
on diversions and withdrawals, 123, 125, 202
and reinforcements, 125-6, 136, 282, 299, 365
and Persia and Iraq, 128-9, 375-6
and Malta, 161, 183, 186-7, 193, 200-2, 314
and Dobbie, 186
and timing of a resumed Desert offensive, 203-4
on northern front, 364-6
and Brooke, 367
Churchill, Rt. Hon. Winston S.:
see Prime Minister
Ciano, Count: 111n
Cigno: 110
City of Calcutta, s.s.: 248n, 309
Clan Campbell, s.s.: 159-60, 164, 171
Clan Chattan, s.s.: 159-60
Clan Ferguson, s.s.: 320
Clifton, Brigadier G. H.: 65, 355, 389
Clyde, HMS: 314
Cocker, HMSAS: 90
Comando Supremo:
see Italian High Command
Combined Chiefs of Staff’s Committee in Washington: 177
Commander-in-Chief, India:
see Wavell
Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean:
see Cunningham, and, for joint action, Commanders-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief. Middle East:
see Auchinleck, and, for joint action, Commanders-in-Chief
Commanders-in-Chief:
and operation CRUSADER, 6, 12n, 126, 133
and operation ACROBAT, 119, 125-6, 133
and capture of Sicily, 119-20
on operation GYMNAST, 120-1
and diversions and withdrawals, 123-7, 133, 202
and northern front, 124, 126-7, 362, 364
and Middle East situation, 125, 260, 362
and reinforcements, 126-7, 206, 260, 299, 326, 364
on Minister of State, 129
and retreat to Gazala, 153
and Malta, 161, 182-3, 200-1, 314
mentioned, 177
and long-range bombers, 190
and Tobruk, 197, 245, 259-61, 279
and timing of a resumed offensive, 198, 201-3
on a withdrawal to Matruh, 279-81
and VIGOROUS convoy, 309
need strategical guidance, 362, 364
and Middle East War Council, 374n
Commandos, No. 11 (Scottish): 21-2
Commonwealth Keep:
capture of, 225
air attacks on, 227
Coningham, Air Vice-Marshal A:
commands Western Desert Air Force, 12
and operation CRUSADER, 14, 18, 51, 55, 74, 83, 94, 98
and an advance into Tripolitania, 138-9
and retreat to Gazala, 146-7
and the lull, 209
and Battle of Gazala, 225, 230-1, 235, 247, 256, 258-9
and use of landing-grounds, 282
and fighting at El Alamein, 335, 345
Convoys:
see also HARPOON, VIGOROUS and PEDESTAL:
(enemy) to North Africa, 15-6, 19-20, 69-70, 79, 87, 94, 102-7, 109-14, 117, 139, 158-9, 162-3, 173, 189-91, 193-4, 197, 326, 329
losses, 16, 19-20, 106, 189, 326-7, 330;
(British) and operation CRUSADER, 38, 90
to Malta, 110-14, 155-62, 164-73, 177, 180-5, 202, 204, 211, 244-5, 248, 251-2, 255, 299-325, 329
between Egypt, Cyprus and Levant, 90
to North Africa, 136, 192, 216, 329-30
to Middle East, 31, 121-3, 126, 128, 260n, 329-30, 372
Cooke, Captain G. C.: 109
Corbett, Lieut.-General T. W.: 285
Corps:
10th:
arrives in Middle East, 2
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 28,, 284, 287-9, 291-5
to be strong in armour, 385
training of, 390
13th:
Western Desert Force becomes, 1
and operation CRUSADER, 7-8, 10, 34, 37-9, 41, 16, 48-50, 52, 56, 81-2, 88
and relief of Tobruk, 64, 67, 73-4, 77
to drive enemy from Cyrenaica, 81
supplies for, 135
and retreat to Gazala, 137, 142, 146-8, 151
works with No. 40 Squadron SAAF, 212
and Battle of Gazala, 218, 220, 226, 229, 231-2, 238, 242-3, 245
in defence of Tobruk, 248, 250, 253, 259, 263
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 284-5
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 287-8, 292-5
in fighting at El Alamein, 334-5, 340, 342-5, 347-8, 353-4, 357
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384
30th:
forms, 1
and operation CRUSADER, 7, 9-10, 12, 34, 37-9, 41, 46, 48-50, 52, 54-5, 63, 73, 78, 101
leaves for frontier area, 81
in Battle of Gazala, 217, 224, 229, 231-2, 236, 242
and defence of Tobruk, 248, 253, 263, 272
and withdrawal to Matruh, 259, 284
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 295
in fighting at El Alamein, 334-5, 341-8, 354, 357
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384-5, 386n, 387
1st Australian: 126
21st Indian: 424
Corvette Group, 10th: 90
Cox, Brigadier C. H. V.: 78
Crete:
effect of loss of, 1
Cripps, Rt. Hon. Sir Stafford: 201
Crista, petrol carrier: 216
Cross, Group Captain K. B. B.: 207
Cruiser Squadrons:
CRUSADER:
timing of, 2-3, 12, 23, 25, 31
plan for, 5-10, 12-5, 19, 23, 31, 37-8, 103
air operations related to, 15-9
and relief of Tobruk, 23-5, 78
effect of enemy armour in, 28
the operation, 38-96
air support in, 99
mentioned, 105, 128, 140, 152-3, 159, 161, 205, 207, 210, 227, 261, 284-5, 332, 337, 352, 367
and operation ACROBAT, 119, 142
and operation GYMNAST, 120-1
and withdrawals and diversions, 123, 125-6, 133
Cruttwell, C. R. M. F.: 143
Crüwell, Lieut.-General Ludwig:
and operation CRUSADER, 39-42, 44, 46-7, 49, 53, 55-8, 62, 64, 71, 74, 77, 85, 91, 101
and action at Agedabia, 141
and Battle of Gazala, 219, 223, 226
captured, 227
his abilities, 227-8
Cuma: 209
Cunningham, Lieut-General Sir Alan:
and operation CRUSADER, 5-8, 14, 37, 39, 41-2, 46, 48-50, 52, 54-6, 60
and air support, 14
worried about tank losses, 52
General Auchinleck’s opinion of, 60-1
relieved of 8th Army command, 61
Cunningham, Admiral Sir Andrew B.:
see also Commanders-in-Chief
and operation CRUSADER, 24, 97
and operations against enemy convoys, 109-16, 163
depleted forces of, 111, 117, 173
and First Battle of Sirte, 112
and human torpedo attacks, 115
and withdrawals from Mediterranean, 123-5
and convoy operations, 157, 159-60, 164, 166, 177
on air reconnaissance, 157
leaves Mediterranean Command, 177-8
his achievements, 177-8
on Malta, 178
Curteis, Vice-Admiral A. T. B.: 301-3, 307
Curtin, Rt. Hon. John: 24
Cyprus:
defence of, 2
Cyrenaica:
enemy withdrawal from 33, 84, 96
British reoccupation of, 161, 198
air attacks on airfields in, 164
effect of loss of airfields in, 173
–D–
DAK (Deutsches Afrika Korps):
and operation CRUSADER, 44, 46-7, 50, 53, 56, 58-62, 66, 77, 84, 89, 92
strength and state of, 139n, 231, 239, 249, 383n
and advance to Gazala, 141, 144-9, 152
in Battle of Gazala, 220, 225-6, 228, 237, 249
and advance to El Alamein, 283, 289-90, 293-4
in fighting at El Alamein, 340-5
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383, 386-8, 390n
Da Mosto: 106
Daniel, Commodore C. S.: 182, 187
Davy, Brigadier G. M. O.: 40, 44-5, 47
Da Zara, Admiral A.: 303-7
De Beer, Lieut.-Colonel J. M.: 262
Defence Committee:
and recapture of Cyrenaica, 3
sends 22nd Armoured Brigade to Middle East, 4
and plan to capture Sicily, 119
and command in Iraq, 129
and timing of a resumed offensive, 200, 202, 204
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 280
De Giorgis, Major-General Fedele: 95-6
Deir el Shein:
defended locality at, 332
lost, 340-1
‘Delease’: 378
‘Dencol’: 217
Derna:
air attacks on, 16-7, 41, 60, 102, 210, 212, 227, 244, 251
capture of, 85
as supply base, 135
Deucalion, m.v.: 319-20
De Villiers, Major-General I. P.: 38, 94-5, 261
Dielpi: 382n
Dill, Field-Marshal Sir John, Chief of the Imperial General Staff: 121n
Divisions:
Armoured:
1st:
strength and state of, 136, 147-8, 153, 220, 286n, 353
in retreat to Gazala, 141-9, 151
in Battle of Gazala, 217-8, 224, 232, 240, 242, 250
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 285
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 289, 291-3, 295
in defence of Alamein, 341-3, 346, 348, 354, 357
2nd: 1
7th:
strength and state of, 4, 30, 99, 220, 353
and operation CRUSADER, 29, 37, 39, 40n, 46, 48, 50, 53-4, 62. 66-7, 73, 78, 81-2, 85, 88
relief of, 136
and Battle of Gazala, 217-8, 224, 232-3
at Tobruk, 248, 253, 259, 272-3
and withdrawal to Matruh, 281, 285
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 295
in fighting at El Alamein, 351, 354, 357
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 387, 389-90
8th:
state of, 27n
10th:
state of, 249n
at Matruh, 281
mentioned, 354
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 387, 390
31st Indian: 424
Cavalry:
1st: 249n
Infantry:
12th African: 1
7th Australian: 126
9th Australian:
and defence of Tobruk, 22
question of its withdrawal, 126-7, 199
rated high by Rommel, 339
in fighting at El Alamein, 345-6, 356n, 357
strength of, 353
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 388
now see 70th (British)
44th (British):
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 386
50th (British):
arrival of, 2
in Iraq, 123
and Malta convoy, 164
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 219-20, 231, 238, 241, 245-6 , 248, 250-1, 254, 259
and retreat to El Alamein, 28, 284-5, 287-9, 291, 293, 295
in fighting at El Alamein, 340, 342
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387
51st (British):
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387
70th (British):
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 42, 44, 46, 48-9, 52, 61-2, 68-9
4th Indian:
and operation CRUSADER, 7, 9, 37, 46, 56, 59, 69, 73, 75, 77-8, 81-2, 85
command of, 137
and retreat to Gazala, 141-2, 147-9
5th Indian:
in Cyprus, 2
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 232-4, 248
and retreat to El Alamein, 285. 287-8, 291-2. 295
in fighting at El Alamein. 342, 347, 353-4, 356-7
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 390
6th Indian: 424
8th Indian: 424
10th Indian:
to join 8th Army, 218
and Battle of Gazala, 242, 247, 259
and retreat to El Alamein, 281, 284, 287-8, 295
in fighting at El Alamein, 342
1st South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 12, 37, 41-2, 53, 94
and Malta convoy, 164
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 219-20, 231, 238, 241, 245-6, 248-51, 254, 259
strength and state of, 281, 353
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 295
in fighting at El Alamein, 341, 346
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384
2nd South African:
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 52, 56, 69, 73, 77, 94-5
and Battle of Gazala, 217, 219, 238, 249-51, 261, 272n
strength and state of, 261, 272n
mentioned, 275
New Zealand:
and operation CRUSADER, 7, 37, 39n, 41, 48, 50, 52, 54, 61-9, 73
to stay in Middle East, 127
for Western Desert, 249
at Minqar Qaim, 288-92
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 292-5
rated high by Rommel, 339
in fighting at El Alamein, 342, 347-8, 351, 354
strength of, 353
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384, 387, 389
Dobbie, Lieut.-General Sir William, Governor and C.-in-C., Malta:
and supplies for Malta, 155-6, 160-2, 183
and air attacks on Malta, 181-2
leaves Malta, 186
Dominions:
flow of munitions from, 3-4
Doria: 111-2
Dorset, m.v.: 320-1
Drew, Lieut.-Colonel H. D.: 68
Drummond, Air Marshal R. M.: 198
Duca D’Aosta: 310
Duca Degli Abruzzi: 105
Duilio: 111
Dundas, Commodore J. G. L.: 328
Du Toit, Brigadier C. L. de W.: 250-1
–E–
Eagle, HMS:
and fighter reinforcement of Malta, 163, 187-8, 300, 314
in dock, 182
in convoy operations, 301-3, 316, 318-9, 321
Edelsten, Rear-Admiral J. H.: 328
Egypt, King of: 130
Egypt:
see also Egyptian Government
defence of, 1, 52, 124, 127, 201, 333-4, 363
internal security, I, 333
political crisis in, 130
Egyptian Government and Ministers: 130
El Adem:
and Battle of Gazala, 224-5
and investment of Tobruk, 245-50
action at, 254
evacuated 255-6
El Agheila:
Rommel withdraws to, 92
air attacks on, 150
El Alamein:
fighting at in July, 334-59
El Daba:
bombardments of, 328
air attacks on, 331n
skirmishes near, 332
use of airfields, 337
El Duda:
capture of, 61-2
El Mreir:
Elizabeth Bakke, m.v.: 309
Elliott, Sergeant K.: 350
Elysia, s.s.: 353n
Embry, Air Commodore B. E.: 13
Empire Defender, m.v.: 109, 324
Empire Guillemot, m.v.: 108, 324
Empire Hope, m.v.: 320
Empire Pelican, m.v.: 109, 324
Eocene, petrol carrier: 216
Eridge, HMS: 192
Eskimo, HMS: 320
Eugenio di Salvia: 303
Euryalus, HMS:
bombards Halfaya defences, 41
and enemy convoys, 110
at Alexandria, 117
bombards Rhodes, 163
in convoy operations, 164-7, 169, 308, 310
Evill, Air Vice-Marshal D. C. S.: 208
‘Excess’: 324
–F–
Fabio Filzi: 87n
Fadden, Rt. Hon. Arthur: 23-4
Falk, HMSAS.: 90
Falmouth, HMS: 124
Far East:
Farndale, HMS: 90
Fawzia, HEMS: 337
Field Maintenance Centres:
No. 50: 56n
Field Supply Depots: 10
Filose, Brigadier A. A. E.: 223
First Sea Lord: see Pound
Fisher, Brigadier A. F.: 289n, 356n
Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic: 182
Flamingo, HMS: 90
Fleet Air Arm:
as ‘pathfinders’, 16, 213, 288
and operation CRUSADER, 17-8
attacks enemy shipping, 159, 326
and Malta convoys, 165, 302-3. 306, 318-9
strength in Malta, 185
reinforcements for, 88n
and bombardment of Matruh, 338
Squadrons:
800: 317n
806: 317n
807: 301n
809: 317n
815: 300n
817: 317n
824: 301n
827: 317n
831: 317n
832: 317n
880: 317n
884: 317n
885: 317n
Fliegerführer Afrika:
see Fröhlich, Waldau and Seidemann
Flo, HMSAS.: 90
Folgore: 329
Foote, Lieut.-Colonel H. R. B.: 243, 268
Force B:
sent to Malta, 105
and enemy convoys, 106
mentioned, 110
in convoy operations, 164, 166, 170-1
Force H:
and operation CRUSADER, 19, 38
and fighter reinforcements for Malta, 108, 163-4
possible removal of battleship from, 123
reinforcements for, 156
in convoy operations, 156
command of, 162-3
and Diego Suarez operation, 182
Force K:
and operation CRUSADER, 19, 38
reasons for formation of, 103
and enemy convoys, Ton, 103-9, 111-4, 158
mentioned, 110
in convoy operations, 112-4, 157, 159-60, 164
ceases to exist, 173
Force W: 182
Ford, Vice-Admiral Sir Wilbraham, Vice- Admiral, Malta: 111, 157-8
Foresight, HMS: 319
Fort Capuzzo:
capture of, 48
Foster, Air Commodore R. M.: 424
Freeman, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfred: 14
French Government: 120
Freyberg, Major-General B. C.:
commands New Zealand Division, 37
and operation CRUSADER, 61, 64, 66-8
and use of New Zealand formations, 284, 287
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 290-1
wounded, 292
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387-9
Fröhlich, Major-General Stefan: 21, 98, 212
Fuka:
air attacks on, I t, 17, 212, 296
loss of, 294-5
raid on, 344
Fulmine: 104.
–G–
Gabr Saleh:
actions at, 40-4
air attacks on, 283
Galatea, HMS: 110
Gallant, HMS: 180
Gambara, General Gastone: 49n, 79-80, 85
Gambut:
air attacks on, 9, 17, 211-12, 227
capture of, 50
loss of airfields at, 255-8
Gardner, Captain P. J.: 44
Garibaldi: 310
Gatehouse, Brigadier (later Major-General) A. H.:
and operation CRUSADER, 37, 40, 68, 82
and fighting at El Alamein, 354-5, 356n
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387
Gause, Lieut.-General Alfred: 19, 229
Gazala:
enemy stand at, 81-3
Geisler, General Hans-Ferdinand: 21, 98
Geissler, Colonel Erich: 151
George VI, HM King: 179, 185-6
German Admiralty: 20
German Air Force:
see Luftwaffe
German Army:
see also DAK
strength and dispositions of, 6-7, 26-31, 39, 48, 139-40, 199, 220
wireless difficulties of, 37
and capture of Malta, 194-5
Armies:
Panzerarmee Afrika:
strength and state of, 139n
views on 8th Army, 153-4
on booty captured, 274, 281n, 331n
on British air attacks, 287, 380
Groups:
Armoured Group Africa:
formed, 19-20, now see Panzerarmee Afrika
Divisions:
Africa (later 90th Light):
command of, 19-20
and operation CRUSADER, 40, 64, 67, 80, 86
mentioned, 140n
and advance to Gazala, 148-9, 152
in Battle of Gazala, 223-5, 227-9, 235-6, 239, 241-2, 253-5
and advance to El Alamein, 283, 289-90, 295
attacked by Desert Air Force, 287, 296
in fighting at El Alamein, 340-2, 344, 350-1
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383
164th Light:
and fighting at El Alamein, 339, 346
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383, 388
15th Panzer:
command of, 20
strength and state of, 29-30, 34, 63n, 74, 82n, 91, 139n, 145n
and operation CRUSADER, 39-42, 45, 47-9, 54-60, 63-7, 75, 77, 86, 91
and advance to Gazala, 140, 143-5, 147
in Battle of Gazala, 224-7, 234-5, 239-42, 250, 257
in attack on Tobruk, 265-7, 269-70
and advance to El Alamein, 289-90, 292
in fighting at El Alamein, 340-2, 346, 350, 354
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 386-7
21st Panzer:
in action at Bir el Khireigat, 9
strength and state of, 9, 29-30, 34, 63n, 82n, 91, 139n, 140n, 145n, 290n
command of, 20
and operation CRUSADER, 39-42, 45, 47-9, 54-6, 58-60, 64-7, 71, 74-5, 77, 86, 91
and advance to Gazala, 143-4, 149
in Battle of Gazala, 223, 225-6, 228, 231, 234, 239-40, 242, 250, 253-7
in attack on Tobruk, 265-7, 269
and advance to El Alamein, 289-91, 293-4
in fighting at El Alamein, 340, 343-5, 350, 354, 356
in Battle of Alam el Halfa , 386-7
Brigades:
15th Lorried Infantry: 219n
Regiments and Units:
155th Regiment: 34n, 46-7, 53n
382nd Regiment: 346
361st Afrika Regiment: 46-7, 50, 53n
104th Lorried Infantry Regiment: 47, 95, 293
115th Lorried Infantry Regiment: 58-9
5th Panzer Regiment:
and operation CRUSADER, 40, 47, 49, 54-5, 57-9
Battle of Gazala, 228, 240, 269
8th Panzer Regiment:
and operation CRUSADER, 54n, 66, 76, 82
reinforcement of, 87
in Battle of Gazala, 233
in fighting at El Alamein, 349, 355
39th Panzerjäger Regiment, 227n
900th Engineer Battalion: 53n
2nd Machine-Gun Battalion: 82, 141
3rd Reconnaissance Unit:
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 58-9
and advance to Gazala, 148-9
to hold British on frontier, 265
in fighting at El Alamein, 350-1
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383
33rd Reconnaissance Unit:
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 55, 57
and advance to Gazala, 148-9
to hold British on frontier, 265
in fighting at El Alamein, 350-1
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383
German High Command of the Armed Forces:
see OKW
German High Command of the Army:
see OKH
German Navy: 194
German soldiers:
achievements of, 360
Germany:
preoccupied with Russia, 2-3
declares war on United States, 121
British estimate of capabilities of, 126
and war in Russia, 132
Gioda, General:
Son
Giorgio: 382n
Giulio Cesare: 111
Giussano: 109
‘Gleecol’: 288-9
Glengyle, HMS:
and supplies for Malta, 156, 158, 160, 324
Glennie, Rear-Admiral I. G.: 328
Glenorchy, s.s.: 320
Gnat, HMS: 25
Godwin-Austen, Lieut.-General A. R.:
and operation CRUSADER, 8, 37, 46, 49, 52, 62, 67, 69, 73-4, 77-8, 81-3, 85, 88-9
mentioned 54-5
and retreat to Gazala, 135, 141, 143, 146-8, 151
relinquishes command, 152
Goebbels, Dr.: 108
Gort, General the Viscount, Governor and Supreme Commander, Malta: 186, 314, 316
Gott, Major-General (later Lieut.-General) W. H. E.:
commands 7th Armoured Division, 37
and operation CRUSADER, 39-44, 46-7, 62-3, 68, 75, 78, 81-3, 85
commands 13th Corps, 217
and Battle of Gazala, 238, 242-3
and Tobruk, 263
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 281
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 290-2, 294
and fighting at El Alamein, 347-8, 351, 354-5, 357
to command 8th Army, 368
killed, 368
his abilities, 368
Gould, Petty Officer T. W.: 174
Governor of Aden: 374n
Governor of Cyprus: 374n
Gray, Lieut.-Colonel C. E.: 340n
Greece: effect of loss of,
Greek Navy: 328-9
Gualdi: 382n
Gurkha, HMS: 157
Gurney, Private A. S.: 357
–H–
HALBERD: 324
Halfaya:
bombardment of, 41
captured, 95-6
Halverson Detachment:
and attack on Ploesti oilfields, 206, 245
established in Egypt, 282
and VIGOROUS convoy, 309
in Desert operations, 343n
Hardy, Captain C. C.: 301-6, 310
Hargest, Brigadier J.:
so
Harwood, Admiral Sir Henry:
see also Commanders-in-Chief
becomes C.-in-C., Mediterranean, 178
and long-range bombers, 190
and convoy operations, 307, 310-13, 322
sends 10th Submarine Flotilla to Malta, 314
disperses Mediterranean Fleet, 315-6
mentioned, 329
Hassell, Brigadier L. L.: 251
Havock, HMS:
in convoy operations, 165, 167, 169-70
destroyed, 180
Haydon, Brigadier C. W.: 227
Hayton, Brigadier A. A.: 96, 269-72
Hebe, minesweeper: 305-7
Heraklion:
air attacks on, 336
Hermione, HMS:
in Force H, 117
and fighter reinforcement of Malta, 163
Hero, HMS:
and relief of Tobruk, 25
in convoy operations, 165, 168
sinks U.568, 192
High Commissioner to Palestine: 374n
Hindustan, HMIS: 124
Hitler, Adolf:
and German domination in Mediterranean, 21
and use of Bizerta, 69-70, 106
and Japan, 131
commands German Army, 132
mentioned, 145
meets Mussolini at Berchtesgaden, 195, 219
and an advance into Egypt, 277-8
and command in North Africa, 383
Holmes, Lieut.-General W. G.:
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 290-1, 293-5
Home Fleet: 155
Hopkins, Harry L.: 361
Horrocks, Lieut.-General B. G.:
commands 13th Corps, 369
and Battle of Alam el
Hotspur, HMS: 90
Hughes, Brigadier F. E. C.: 354n
Human torpedoes:
attack Fleet at Alexandria, 115, 124, 192
attack ships at Gibraltar, 329
Hurworth, HMS: 192
Hutchison, Captain C. A. G.: 170
–I–
Iachino, Admiral Angelo:
and Malta convoys, 111, 113, 168-70, 172, 310, 312
Indomitable, HMS:
carries aircraft to Far East, 125, 127
mentioned, 158
and PEDESTAL convoy, 316-7, 319
Indus, HMIS: 124
Inglis, Brigadier L. M.:
and operation CRUSADER, 50
and retreat to El Alamein, 292-3
and fighting at El Alamein, 349, 351-2
mentioned, 355
Inshore Squadron:
Iraq:
and reinforcements for Far East, 122
command in, 128-9, 375-6. 424-6
internal security of, 362
Iridio Mantovani: 106-7
Iseo: 106
Islay, trawler: 329
Italian Admiralty:
sails convoy to Africa, 105
and HARPOON convoy, 307
and VIGOROUS convoy, 310, 312-3
Italian Air Force:
strength and state of, 6, 14-5, 21, 76, 87, 140, 178, 181
and operation CRUSADER, 18, 39, 41, 50-1, 60, 87
losses of, 18, 60, 89, 94, 99, 150, 179, 184, 188, 210-11, 213, 227, 231, 236-7, 241, 258, 336, 344
carries supplies to Africa, 79
attacks Force K, 104
and advance to Gazala, 142, 150
and Malta convoys, 165, 167, 169-71, 301-2, 306, 318-9
attacks Malta, 170-1, 178-9, 181, 184, 385
operations during the lull, 211
and Battle of Gazala, 225, 241, 258
and Tobruk, 266
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 384
and defence of Sicily, 385
Squadra:
5th: 21
Italian Army:
strength and dispositions of, 6, 29-30, 139-40, 199, 220, 383n
and operation HERKULES, 194-5
Corps:
10th:
under Rommel’s command, 80n, 139n
in Crüwell Group, 219n
in Battle of Gazala, 250, 258, 265
and advance to El Alamein, 283, 290
in fighting at El Alamein, 343-4
in Battle of Alam el Halfa. 383, 387
Mobile (20th):
and operation CRUSADER, 74, 77, 84, 89
mentioned, 80
and advance to Gazala, 139-41, 148-9, 151-2
in Battle of Gazala, 219-20, 265, 267
and advance to Matruh, 283, 288
and advance to El Alamein, 290
in fighting at El Alamein, 340, 343-4
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383-4, 386
21st:
and operation CRUSADER, 84
in Crüwell Group, 219n
and Tobruk, 258
and advance to El Alamein, 283
in fighting at El Alamein, 344
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383
Divisions:
Ariete:
and operation CRUSADER, 8, 34, 39-40, 42, 49, 53, 55-8, 62-68, 75, 85-6
command of, 20
strength and state of, 29-30, 82n, 139n, 265n
losses of, 67
occupies Benghazi, 151
in Battle of Gazala, 220, 223, 225-6, 234, 255, 258
in attack on Tobruk, 266
and advance to El Alamein, 290
in fighting at El Alamein, 343, 351
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387
Brescia:
and operation CRUSADER, 78, 86, 88-9
in Crüwell Group, 219n
in fighting at El Alamein, 343, 347, 349-50
Folgore Parachute: 338
Friuli: 338
Littorio:
mentioned, 220
and Battle of Gazala. 265
and advance to El Alamein, 288, 290
in fighting at El Alamein, 340
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387
Pavia:
and operation CRUSADER, 86
in Crüwell Group, 219n
in Battle of Gazala, 226
and advance to El Alamein, [.290
in fighting at El Alamein, 347, 349-50
Pistoia: 338
Trento:
and operation CRUSADER, 78, 86
in Crüwell Group, 219n
in Battle of Gazala, 231
Trieste:
and operation CRUSADER, 34, 53, 55, 68, 75-6, 85-6
in Battle of Gazala, 225-9, 235, 239
reinforcement of, 265n
and advance to El Alamein, 290
in fighting at El Alamein, 351
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387
Italian East Africa:
end of campaign in, 1
Italian High Command:
and need to capture Tobruk, 19, 21-2
and supplies, 76, 145, 378, 382
and operation CRUSADER, 79-80, 84, 95
and advance to Gazala, 145
and Battle of Gazala, 253
on an advance into Egypt, 278
Panzerarmee directly responsible to, 378
Italian Naval Staff: 323
Italian Navy:
in convoy operations, 103, 109-14, 158-9, 163, 326
in action off Cape Bon, 109-10
and supplies to North Africa, 109, 163
in First Battle of Sirte, 112-3
and human torpedo attacks, 115, 124, 192
strength of, 117, 156, 173, 178, 411
and Malta convoys, 156-7, 160, 164-70, 183, 303-13, 316, 323
in Second Battle of Sirte, 166-70, 172
and guns, 170
and capture of Malta, 194
Tenth Light Flotilla: 115
‘Italuft’: 21
Italy:
declares war on United States, 121
Ithuriel, HMS: 319
–J–
Jackal, HMS: 190-1
Jackman, Captain J. J. B.: 61-2
Jaguar, HMS: 114
Jalo:
mentioned, 79
Japan:
her entry into war, 80, 96, 121, 131-3, 363
attacks Thailand and Malaya, 128
and threat to Burma, 128
reaches agreement with Russia, 131
and Tripartite Pact, 131
Japanese Government: 131
Jarabub:
deception at, 8
air action at. 17
Johnson, Brigadier G. F.: 261, 263-4, 267
Jumna, HMIS: 124
–K–
Kandahar, HMS: 114
Kelvin, HMS: 165
Kenya, HMS:
and PEDESTAL convoy, 317, 320, 323
Kesselring, Field-Marshal Albert:
becomes C.-in-C., South, 21
and operation CRUSADER, 84
and system of command, 98
arrives in Rome, 108
and Rommel’s offensive, 145-6
and Malta, 175, 193-5, 265-6, 278
takes temporary command of Cr-Owen group, 228
and Battle of Gazala, 237
and Tobruk, 265-6
and an advance into Egypt, 278
and PEDESTAL convoy, 323
his commitments, 339
and supplies for Panzerarmee, 382
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 389
Keyes, Lieut.-Colonel G. C. T.: 22
King, Fleet Admiral E. J.: 361
Kingston, HMS: 165, 169-70, 180
Kippenberger, Brigadier H. K.: 344, 349
Kirkland, petrol carrier: 216
Klopper, Major-General H. B.:
commands 2nd South African Division, 217, 261
and defence of Tobruk, 263-4, 267-73
Knight, Lieut.-Colonel J. O.: 271
Knightsbridge:
lighting round, 238-43
Koenig, Brigadier General M-P.: 231, 236-7
Kopanski, Major-General S.: 38, 82
Kreta: 382n
Kufra:
capture of, 8
Kujawiak: 307
–L–
Lanciere: 170
Latona, HMS: 25
Leatham, Vice-Admiral Sir Ralph, Vice-Admiral, Malta: 158, 303, 322
‘Leathercol’: 288-9
Ledbury, HMS: 321-2
Legion, HMS: 109-10, 164-5, 170-1
Lerici: 326
Libeccio: 104
Libyan Omar: capture of, 48
Lismore, HMAS: 124
Littorio:
in convoy operations, 111
in Second Battle of Sirte, 166, 169
and VIGOROUS convoy, 310-11, 313
Lively, HMS:
in convoy operations, 111, 165
in Second Battle of Sirte, 168-9
Lloyd, Air Vice-Marshal H. P., Air Officer Commanding, Malta: 148. 181, 314-5
Loerzer, General Bruno: 21
Lomax, Brigadier C. E. N.: 43
Long Range Desert Group:
strength and state of, 8
reconnaissances by, 8-9
and fighting at El Alamein, 344, 358
Luftwaffe:
strength and state of, 6, 14-5, 76, 87, 140, 178, 212, 266, 283-4, 385
8.8-cm. gun manned by, 28n
carries supplies to North Africa, 79, 94, 211
attacks Malta, 93, 118, 157-8, 161-2, 170-1, 178-9, 181-2, 184, 212
system of command in, 98
covers convoys to Africa, 158
and Malta convoys, 166, 169-71, 251-2, 255, 301-2, 305, 307, 309, 318-21, 323-4
and Russian campaign, 184
and capture of Malta, 195
losses of, 381
(in North Africa)
attacks Bir el Khireigat, g
losses of, 9, 16-8, 43, 51, 60, 99, 150, 210, 227, 236-7, 241, 258, 336, 38 t
and operation CRUSADER, 15, 18, 39, 41, 43, 50-1, 57, 60, 76, 87, 92
and advance to Gazala, 142, 150
operations during the lull, 210-12
and Battle of Gazala, 225, 230, 235-6, 239, 241, 256, 258
and attack on Tobruk, 265-6
and advance to Matruh, 288
and advance to El Alamein, 294
lack of co-operation between Panzerarmee and, 336
attacks targets in Egypt, 337
mentioned, 339
and fighting at El Alamein, 341, 344, 347, 351
operations in August, 381
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383-5, 389-90
(in Balkans)
strength and state of, 14-5, 212
operations and losses of, 191, 211, 221, 266
(in Sicily)
strength of, 118, 174, 181, 212, 221, 322
operations of, 181-2
reinforcement of, 278
Luftflotte 2:
command of, 21
Fliegerkorps II:
command of, 21
arrives in Sicily, 108
strength of, 188
Fliegerkorps X:
protects convoys to North Africa, 20
mentioned, 71
and Malta, 195
Lumsden, Major-General H.:
commands 1st Armoured Division, 217
and Battle of Gazala, 224-5, 240-2
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 292
and fighting at El Alamein, 349, 352
Luqa:
air attacks on, 182
Lyster, Rear-Admiral A. L. St. G.: 316
Lyttelton, Rt. Hon. Oliver:
and operation CRUSADER, 12n
and relief of Tobruk garrison, 24
and capture of Tripoli, 119
and defence of northern frontier, 124
and command in Iraq and Persia, 128
becomes Minister of Production, 129
his usefulness as Minister of State, 129
and timing of a resumed offensive, 198
–M–
Macgregor, Brigadier L. E.: 256n
Maclean, Air Commodore L. L.: 244
Malaya:
Malaya, HMS:
in Force H
and fighter reinforcements for Malta, 163
and HARPOON convoy, 301-3, 307
Maleme:
air attacks on, 79
Malocello: 304
Malta:
for Governor see Dobbie, for Supreme Commander see Gort, for Vice-Admiral see Ford and Leatham, for AOC see Lloyd and Park
air forces at, 15, 159, 162, 205, 299-300, 317, 323
as striking base, 70, 94, 155, 161, 178, 185, 193-4, 197, 203, 209, 211, 244, 299, 314, 392
air attacks on, 93-4, 108, 118, 148, 157-8, 162-3, 166, 170, 173-5, 178-82, 184-5, 188, 193-4, 206, 209, 212, 244, 278, 314
reinforcements and supplies for, 108, 110-13, 117, 155-73, 177, 181-4, 187, 189, 193, 197, 200-1, 204, 244-5, 251-2, 299-314, 316-26, 329
an Axis assault on, 156, 174-5, 186, 193-5, 277-8
living conditions at, 162, 181, 186, 325
first Spitfires for, 162
defence and defences of, 170, 179, 186, 194, 201, 203-4
awarded George Cross, 185
mine-laying around, 188
in grave peril, 189
Malta Defence Committee: 181, 186
Maltese Government: 186
Mantovani: 106
Manxman, HMS: 155
Manzetti, General Ferruccio: 89n
Maraua:
air attacks on. 87
Marchesi, General Vittorio: 21
Marcks, Colonel Werner: 140, 151
Maritza: 105
Marriott, Brigadier J. C. O.:
commands 22nd Guards Brigade, 37, 85, 137
and retreat to Gazala, 141
Marshall. General G. C.: 361
Martuba:
air attacks on, 17, 41, 210, 212, 225, 244
Mason, Captain D. W.: 322
Matchless, HMS: 307
Matruh (Mersa):
consequences of a withdrawal to, 280
demolitions at, 296
as a supply base, 378
Matsuoka, Mr.: 131
Maxwell, Major-General Russell L.: 373-4
McCreery, Major-General R. L.: 369
Me.109F:
superiority of, 14, 76, 93, 100, 162, 221
and Spitfire, 337
Mediterranean Fleet:
and operation CRUSADER, 19, 38, 51, 102
and Inshore Squadron, 24
and Tobruk, 25-6, 90, 262, 315
its superiority in Mediterranean, 76
losses of, 108, 117, 133, 155-6, 173, 185, 299. 301, 315
in action off Cape Bon, 109-10
and enemy convoys to Africa, 109-14, 163, 173, 190-1, 325-6, 391
in convoy operations, 110-11, 113-4, 155-60, 164-72, 301-14, 316-22
in First Battle of Sirte, 112-3
and human torpedo attacks, 115, 124, 192
effect of German submarines on, 118
and reinforcements for Malta, 155-6, 160, 172, 299-300, 323-5
bombards Rhodes, 163
in Second Battle of Sirte, 166-9, 172
and Cunningham, 177-8
lacks lighter coyer, 178
dispersed, 315-6, 325, 338, 342
bombards Mersa Matruh, 316
stages diversionary operation, 318
in anti-shipping sweeps, 328
and defence of Egypt, 334
Medway, HMS:
and human torpedoes, 192
Melbourne Star, m.v.: 320-1
Mellenthin, Major (later Lieut-Colonel) F. W. von: 139, 346
Menzies, Rt. Hon. Robert: 23
Messervy, Major-General F. W.:
mentioned, 57
commands 1st Armoured Division, 137
and retreat to Gazala, 138, 141, 143-4, 146, 148, 151
on training, 153
and Battle of Gazala, 223-4, 232, 234-5, 240, 255, 257
captured, 224
Mickl, Colonel Johann: 64, 66, 68
Micklethwait, Captain St. J. A.: 167-9
Middle East:
estimated Axis air strength in, 14-5
withdrawals and diversions from, 122-8, 133, 363
threatened from the north, 126-8, 363
instability of countries in, 127
needs Minister of State, 129
situation in, 133
command in, 367-8
general review, 392-3
Middle East Defence Committee:
and postponement of operation CRUSADER, 12
on northern front, 124
on timing of a resumed offensive, 203-4
on a withdrawal to Matruh, 280
asks for guidance, 363
Middle East Joint Planning Staff: 376
Middle East War Council: 374
Miers, Commander A. C. C.: 174
Minister of State in the Middle East:
see Lyttelton, Monckton and Casey
Minqar Qaim:
New Zealand Division at, 288-293
Misa, Brigadier L.: 356
Miteiriya:
mentioned, 332
Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation: 123
Monckton, Sir Walter: 130, 181, 198
Monginevro: 87n
Montecuccoli: 303
Montgomery, Lieut.-General B. L.:
and state of 8th Army, 370, 385, 390
mentioned, 381
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383-5, 387-9, 391
Morshead, Major-General L. J.: 22, 345
Musaid:
capture of, 48
Mussolini, Benito:
and German domination in Mediterranean, 21
and command in North Africa, 49n
and Tunisian ports, 69-70
mentioned, 80
and withdrawal to El Agheila, 92
and advance to Gazala, 145, 151
on supplies, 152
meets Hitler at Berchtesgaden, 195, 219
and fuel for Italian Navy, 277, 323, 338
on operation HERKULES, 277
and an advance into Egypt, 277-8, 338
and PEDESTAL convoy, 323
Myriel, water carrier: 90
–N–
Nahas Pasha: 130
Naiad, HMS:
bombards Halfaya defences, 41
at Alexandria. 117
sunk, 163
Naples:
Napoli: 113
Navarrini, General Enea: 20
Nehring, Major-General Walther:
commands DAK, 220
and fighting at El Alamein, 340, 350, 355
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383, 386
Nelson, HMS: 316-7
Neptune, HMS:
and operation CRUSADER, 43
in convoy operation, 111
Nestor, HMAS: 313
Netherlands East Indies:
Allied collapse in, 200
Neumann-Silkow, Major-General Walther: 63, 77
New Zealand Artillery:
6th Field Regiment: 350n
New Zealand Government: 14-5, 127, 287
New Zealand Railway Construction Companies: 10th and 13th: 10
Nicholl, Captain A. D.: 114, 180
Nichols, Lieut.-Colonel (later Major-General) J. S.: 69, 251, 284n
Nizam, HMS: 25
Norrie, Major-General C. W. M.:
commands 30th Corps, 2. 37, 217
and operation CRUSADER, 7-8, 37, 42, 46, 48, 50, 54, 56, 64, 66-9, 74-5, 77-8, 81, 94-5
on British tanks, 27
and retreat to Gazala, 146
and Battle of Gazala, 218, 224, 232, 239-41, 248, 253. 255, 257-8
and fighting at El Alamein, 332
North Africa Command (Axis): 20
Nye, Lieut.-General A. E., Vice-Chief of the Imperial General Staff: 201
–O–
Oasis Force:
tasks of, 8
mentioned, to
and operation CRUSADER, 38, 50-1, 89
O’Conor, Captain R. C.: 114
Ogaden: 326
Ohio, tanker: 318-22
OKH:
and operation CRUSADER, 80, 84
and Battle of Gazala, 237, 274
and Tobruk, 258
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 382-3
OKW:
estimate British strength, 20
and operation CRUSADER, 79, 95
on entry of Japan, 132
and an advance into Egypt, 277
and supplies for Rommel, 377
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 388
Olterra: 329
Ondina: 329
Oriani: 306
Orizaba, USS: 353n
–P–
P.31, HMS: 311
P.34, HMS: 311
P.35, HMS: 311
P.39, HMS: 172
P.42, HMS: 323
P.44, HMS: 326
Padenna: 382n
Page, Lieut.-Colonel Geddes: 270
Pakenham, HMS: 310
Park, Air Vice-Marshal K. R., Air Officer Commanding, Malta: 315
Parracombe, s.s.: 324
Parramatta, HMAS: 90
Parthian, HMS: 314
Partridge, HMS: 304-6
Pass of Balmaha, s.s.: 25
Pearl Harbour:
Penelope, HMS:
and enemy convoys, 103-5, 113-4
in convoy operations. 111, 157, 160, 164-5, 170, 172, 180-1
Penn, HMS: 322
Peony, HMS: 90
Percy, Lieut.-Colonel J. E. S.: 251
Perla: 328-9
Persia:
“Treaty of Alliance with, 129
internal security of, 362
Persia and Iraq Command:
offered to Auchinleck, 369, 376
Wilson takes command of, 376
early life of, 424-6
Petain, Marshal: 120
Petrella, water-carrier: 11
Piazzoni, General: 80
Pienaar, Brigadier (later Major-General) D. H.:
and operation CRUSADER, 50, 64, 66
mentioned, 217
and Battle of Gazala. 238, 250
and fighting at El Alamein, 342
Piraeus:
air attacks on, 211
Ploesti oilfields:
Poland, Captain A. L.: 167-9, 190-1
Polish Artillery: 1st Carpathian Field Regiment: 95
Pope, Lieut.-General V. V.: 1-2
Porpoise, HMS: 326
Port Chalmers, m.v.: 320-1
Port Said:
Portal, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles, Chief of the Air Staff: 18, 123
Potaro, m.v.: 310
Pound, Admiral Sir Dudley, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff:
and withdrawals from Mediterranean, 123
and supplies for Malta, 159, 316
mentioned, 177
Power, Rear-Admiral A. ,J.: 328
Premuda: 306
Prendergast, Lieut.-Colonel G. C.: 8
Pridham-Wippell, Vice-Admiral H. D.: 109, 178, 182
Prime Minister and Minister of Defence (Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill):
and command in Western Desert, I
on use of 50th (British) Division, 2
and Auchinleck, 24, 201, 204-5, 367-9
and operation GYMNAST, 120-2
visits Washington 121-2
and diversions and withdrawals, 123-5, 127-8
and northern from, 124, 362-4, 366
tells Wavell to look East, 128
and defeat of British armour, 153
and Malta, 182, 187, 200, 203-4, 316
and timing of a resumed offensive, 199, 201-5
obtains Vote of Confidence, 200
and Persia and Iraq Command, 205, 375-6
and Battle of Gazala, 242
and fall of Tobruk, 275
and operation TORCH, 361
visits Middle East and Russia, 362, 364, 366, 376
on priority of commitments, 363-4, 366-7
and Middle East commanders, 367, 368n
his directive to Alexander, 369
on state of 8th Army, 369-70
Prime Minister of Australia:
see Menzies, Fadden and Curtin
Prime Minister of South Africa (Field-Marshal Smuts):
forms South African administrative HQ, 2
in Cairo with Churchill, 362, 364, 376
and Middle East Command, 367
and Middle East War Council, 374n
and Persia and Iraq Command, 376
Prince of Piedmont: 175
Prince of Wales, HMS: 123
Princess Marguerite, transport: 328
Prisoners:
in operation CRUSADER, 46, 48, 50, 63, 67, 82-3, 96-7
in retreat to Gazala, 150
in Battle of Gazala, 226
at Tobruk, 274
Procida: 105
Punnet, boom defence vessel: 337
–Q–
Qotafiya: 381
Queen Elizabeth, HMS:
and human torpedo attacks, 115, 192, 329
mentioned, 117
repairs to, 315
Quinan, Lieut.-General E. P.: 129
–R–
Raeder, Admiral: 175
Ramsden, Major-General W. H. C.:
commands 50th Division, 217
and Battle of Gazala, 251
commands 30th Corps, 345
and fighting at El Alamein, 345, 357
Ras Gibeisa:
air attack on, 343
Ravenspoint, s.s.: 329
Ravenstein, Major-General Johann von: 55, 57-8, 64
Rawlings, Rear-Admiral H. B.: 105, 158
Red Sea:
opened to American shipping, 3
Rees, Major-General T. W.: 218, 284n
Reeves, Captain J. W.: 182
Reeves, Lieut.-Colonel W. R.: 267-8
Regiments:
Central India Horse: 39n
3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters):
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 88
and retreat to Gazala, 138n
and Battle of Gazala, 240n, 257
and retreat to El Alamein, 289n, 291
in fighting at El Alamein, 349n
3rd/4th in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 386
4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters):
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 88
and retreat to Gazala, 138n
and Battle of Gazala, 240n, 257
and retreat to El Alamein, 289n
The Guides Cavalry: 342n
4th Hussars: 240n
7th Hussars: 400
8th Hussars:
and operation CRUSADER, 48, 68
in Battle of Gazala, 224, 240n
10th (Royal) Hussars:
and retreat to Gazala, 138n, 144-5, 153
in fighting at El Alamein, 349n
The King’s Dragoon Guards:
and operation CRUSADER, 40, 43n, 62-3, 88
9th Lancers:
and retreat to Gazala, 138n, 144, 145n, 153
and Battle of Gazala, 257
and retreat to El Alamein, 289n
in fighting at El Alamein, 349n, 356
New Zealand Divisional Cavalry: 95
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry: 387n
The Queen’s Bays:
and retreat to Gazala, 138n, 143-5
in Battle of Gazala, 240n
and retreat to El Alamein, 289n, 291
The Royal Dragoons: 73
2nd Royal Gloucestershire Hussars:
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 85n, 88
in Battle of Gazala, 240n
in fighting at El Alamein, 349n
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 386
The Royal Scots Greys: 349n, 386
Staffordshire Yeomanry: 387n
Royal Tank Regiment:
1st Battalion (also 1st/6th):
and operation CRUSADER, 43n, 45
in Battle of Gazala, 240n, 257
and retreat to El Alamein, 289n
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 386n
2nd Battalion:
3rd Battalion (also 3rd/5th):
and operation CRUSADER, 40, 88-9
in Battle of Gazala, 224, 240n, 257
in fighting at El Alamein, 349n, 356n
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387n
4th Battalion:
and relief of Tobruk, 25
and operation CRUSADER, 43n, 45, 66, 82n
in Battle of Gazala, 232-3, 262, 267-9
5th Battalion:
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 68
in Battle of Gazala, 231
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 386
6th Battalion:
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 45
in Battle of Gazala, 240n
and retreat to El Alamein, 289n
in fighting at El Alamein, 349n, 356, 358
7th Battalion:
and operation CRUSADER, 43n
in Battle of Gazala, 243, 262, 268-9
8th Battalion:
and operation CRUSADER, 50, 61n, 75, 95
and retreat to El Alamein, 289n
in fighting at El Alamein, 346
44th Battalion:
and operation CRUSADER, 48, 61n, 62, 95
in Battle of Gazala, 227
in fighting at El Alamein, 346, 351
50th Battalion: 356n, 357-8, 389
4th South African Armoured Car: 223
6th South African Armoured Car: 38
Reid, Brigadier D. W.:
commands Oasis Force, 38
and operation CRUSADER, 50-1, 89
mentioned, 254
and retreat to El Alamein, 294
Renton, Brigadier J. M. L.: 223, 237
Repulse, HMS: 123
Resource, repair ship: 315
Rhodes:
bombardment of, 163
air attacks on, 211
Ribbentrop, Herr yon: 131
Richards, Brigadier G. W.: 224, 257, 387n
Richards, Colonel H. McA.: 264, 272
Rintelen, General Enno von:
mentioned, 277
and an advance into Egypt, 338
Ritchie, Lieut.-General N. M.:
and operation CRUSADER, 62-3, 66-70, 73-5, 77-8, 8,. 85, 88, 92, 95, 97
and Coningham, 98
and retreat to Gazala, 142-3, 145-9, 151
and Godwin-Austen, 152
and timing of a renewed offensive, 198, 204
mentioned, 205
and Battle of Gazala, 216, 218, 223, 226, 228-9, 231-2, 234, 236, 238, 241-2, 244
and Tobruk, 197, 245-9, 253, 255, 258-9, 263-4, 272-3, 275
and timing of a resumed offensive, 198, 204
his tasks, 260
and a withdrawal to Matruh. 279, 281
relieved of command, 285
and Auchinleck, 285-6
‘Robcol’: 342
Roberts, Brigadier G. P. B.: 386n
Roberts, Lieutenant P. S. W.: 174
Robertson, Brigadier C. B.: 389
Rochester Castle, m.v.: 320-1
Rodney, HMS: 316-7
Rommel, General (later Field-Marshal) Erwin:
and operation CRUSADER, 7, 9, 21. 31, 38-42, 44, 47-50, 53-9, 61, 66, 69, 71, 74-8, 84-6, 89, 91-2, 95-6, 132
supplies and reinforcements for, 19-21, 69, 76, 126, 145, 159, 193-4, 197, 219, 226, 339, 377-8, 381-2
and Tobruk, 20-1, 31, 38, 41, 44, 64, 103, 193-5, 219, 258, 265-7, 269, 275, 277, 392
criticizes Italians, 79
and Kesselring, 98
and advance to Gazala, 139-49, 151-3
and a resumed offensive, 212, 216, 219
and Battle of Gazala, 219, 223, 225-31, 233-5, 237-41, 249, 252-3, 257
and Crüwell, 227
promoted Field-Marshal, 275
and an advance into Egypt, 277-8, 392
mentioned, 280, 283, 361, 364-6, 369-70
and advance to El Alamein, 289-90, 296
and fighting at El Alamein, 296-7, 331-4, 340-6, 356, 359-60, 363, 381
on failure of his plans, 338-9
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 381-3, 386-8, 391
his health, 382-3
Roosevelt, President:
and reinforcements for Middle East, 127, 182, 187, 278-9, 374
and operation TORCH, 361
and lend-lease, 373
Rosolino Pilo: 326
Rostov:
Russians recapture, 132
Rowallan Castle, s.s.: 158-60
Royal Air Force in Middle East:
see also Western Desert Air Force
strength and state of, 12, 14-5, 20, 31, 178, 205-6, 213, 220, 374-5, 385, 392, 414-9
reinforcement and rearmament of, 13, 76, 93, 205-6, 365, 372, 374-5
and aircraft maintenance, 13, 92
and attacks on enemy shipping, 16, 70, 93, 102, 107-8, 159, 189-90, 325-6, 391
its superiority in Mediterranean, 76
attacks enemy transport aircraft, 79
and withdrawals and diversions, 123, 205-6
and convoy operations, 156-7, 164-5, 190-1, 251, 309-11
problems of, 372-5
(in North Africa) strength of, 6, 14-5
and operation CRUSADER, 8, 15-8, 38, 41, 51, 60, 62-3, 68-9, 71, 76, 80, 93, 98-9
losses of, 9, 51, 99, 150, 211, 213, 227, 230-1, 236-7, 307, 311, 336, 347, 381
and Tobruk, 271
and retreat to Gazala 150
attacks Benghazi, 190
operations during the lull, 209-13
and Battle of Gazala, 224-5, 227, 229-30, 234, 236-7, 244
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 281
August operations, 379-81
and Battle of Alam Halfa, 385, 387-91
(in Malta) strength and state of, 14-5, 159, 162, 179, 317
operations and losses of, 15, 17-8, 51, 70, 79, 93-4, 99, 148, 150, 157-60, 162, 170-1, 173, 179, 181-2, 184-5, 188, 209, 211, 213, 302-3, 306, 312-5, 321, 326, 379
supplies and reinforcements for, 156, 182-3, 187-8, 193
Groups:
No. 201 (Naval Co-operation):
and operation CRUSADER, 19
strength and state of, 173, 282
and enemy shipping, 326, 379-80
204: 12
205:
helps Desert Air Force, 12
operations of, 16, 70, 150, 212,
strength and state of, 385
Wings:
234: 282
239: 207
243: 207
262:
and operation CRUSADER, 79, 86
and retreat to Gazala, 142
replaced, 207
267: 122
Squadrons:
No. 6: 235
10: 347
13 (Hellenic): 300n
18: 106
21: 150
30: 128
33:
and operation CRUSADER, 50, 86, 93
and retreat to Gazala, 144
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
37: 343n
38:
attacks Tripoli 15
and Malta convoys, 300n, attacks Italian Fleet, 311, 313
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
39:
and enemy shipping, 159, 163, 171, 311, 326
and Malta convoys, 300n
40: 343n
45:
and operation CRUSADER, 51,
leaves for Far East, 123
47: 300n
55: 343n
70: 343n
84:
and operation CRUSADER, 57, 93n, 96
leaves for Far East, 123
86: 326
89: 212
104: 343n
107: 106
108: 343n
126: 300n
127: 282
148: 343n
162: 343n
202: 192
208:
and operation CRUSADER, 86
and retreat to Gazala, 140
withdrawn, 210
works with 30th Corps, 212
and Battle of Gazala, 230
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
state of, 380
its operations in August, 380
211: 123
213: 343n
229: 179
233: 192
235: 300n
237 (Rhodesian): 86
249: 300n
250:
and retreat to Gazala, 149
and defence of Tobruk, 259
and retreat to El Alamein, 295
and VIGOROUS convoy, 309n
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
252:
for Desert Air Force, 282
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
to intercept air transport traffic, 347
260: 343n
261: 128
272:
and operation CRUSADER, 93
and retreat to Gazala, 147
and enemy convoys, 191
for Desert Air Force, 282
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
to intercept air transport traffic, 347
601: 300n
603: 300n
Flights:
1437 (Strategical Reconnaissance): 15, 380
Survey: 15
Other Units:
Aircraft Replacement Pool: 12
No. 1 Armoured Car Company: 142
No. 2 Armoured Car Company: 142, 256
No. 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit: 15, 300n, 380
Royal Artillery:
see also Royal Horse Artillery
Brigades:
4th Anti-Aircraft: 262
7th Light Anti-Aircraft: 179
10th Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 179
Regiments:
4th Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 179n
7th Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 179n
10th Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 179n
32nd Light Anti-Aircraft: 179n
65th Light Anti-Aircraft: 179n
74th Light Anti-Aircraft: 179n
65th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank: 48n, 138n, 387n
73rd Anti-Tank:
and operation CRUSADER, 75, 82n
and retreat to Gazala, 138n
in fighting at El Alamein, 356n
4th Field: 233-4
8th Field: 138n
12th Field: 187
25th Field:
and operation CRUSADER, 48n, 57n
28th Field: 233-4
31st Field: 82n
51st Field:
and operation CRUSADER, 45n, 75, 85n
and retreat to Gazala, 138n
58th Field: 389n
72nd Field: 227n
74th Field: 387n
97th Field (Kent Yeomanry):
in fighting at El Alamein, 340n
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 387n
121st Field: 340n
124th Field: 340n
144th Field: 43n
57th Field: 233-4
7th Medium:
and operation CRUSADER, 48n, 75
in Battle of Gazala, 227n;
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 389n
64th Medium: 389n
68th Medium: 57n, 95, 262, 264
4th Searchlight (RA/RMA): 179n
Batteries:
6th Light Anti-Aircraft: 138n
37th Light Anti-Aircraft: 356n
43rd Light Anti-Aircraft: 138n
44th Light Anti-Aircraft: 138n
57th Light Anti-Aircraft: 57n
81st/25th Light Anti-Aircraft: 227n
122nd Light Anti-Aircraft: 91n
197th Light Anti-Aircraft: 138n
225th Light Anti-Aircraft: 179n
277th Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 269
‘A’ 95th Anti-Tank: 262
227th Anti-Tank: 389n
237th Anti-Tank: 145n
259th Anti-Tank (Norfolk Yeomanry), 227n
432nd Anti-Tank: 389n
12/25th Field: 262n
31/58th Field: 262n
62nd Field: 249
203rd Field: 64n
287th Field: 262n
25/26th Medium: 227n
27/28th Medium: 138n
211th Medium: 95
231st Medium: 269
Royal Australian Air Force:
Squadrons:
No. 3:
withdrawal to El Alamein, 295
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
450: 343n
459: 300n
Royal Engineers:
2nd Field Company: 43n
54th Field Company: 43n
232nd Field Company: 227n
1st Field Squadron: 138n
7th Field Squadron: 138n
Royal Horse Artillery:
Regiments:
1st:
and operation CRUSADER, 43n, 65
and Battle of Gazala, 257
in fighting at El Alamein, 356
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 386
2nd:
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 63n, 91n
and retreat to Gazala, 138n, 10n
4th:
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 45, 63n, 64n
in Battle of Gazala, 224n
5th: 356n
11th (Honourable Artillery Company):
and retreat to Gazala, 137, 138n, 145n
in Battle of Gazala, 242
in fighting at El Alamein, 342n, 348n
102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank:
and operation CRUSADER, 40n, 63n, 91n
and retreat to Gazala, 138n, 141n
104th:
and operation CRUSADER, 43n, 65-6
in fighting at El Alamein, 348n
in Battle of Alam el Halfa, 386
Royal Malta Artillery: 179
Regiments:
3rd Light Anti-Aircraft: 179n
11th Heavy Anti-Aircraft: 179n
Battery: 14th Heavy (Relief) Anti-Aircraft, 179n
Royal Navy:
see Mediterranean Fleet
Russell, Brigadier D.: 82
Russell, Brigadier H. E.: 2
Russia:
German operations in, 20, 128, 132
probable resumption of German offensive in, 126
Ruweisat Ridge:
mentioned, 332
actions at, 335, 347-51, 353-7
Rye, minesweeper: 322
–S–
Sagona, tanker: 115
Sainthill, Major H. M.: 270-1, 273-4
Salamis:
air attacks on, 211
Salvia, HMS: 90
Samos, s.s.: 25
Santa Elisa, s.s. (American): 320
Schmitt, Major-General Artur: 95-6
Scobie, Major-General R. M.:
commands Tobruk garrison, 25, 38
and operation CRUSADER, 42, 46, 48, 61, 69
Scott-Cockburn, Brigadier J.: 39
Scythia, HMT: 353n
‘Seacol’: 219
Sea Communications:
between Italy and North Africa, 16, 173
control of in Mediterranean, 96, 124-5, 329-30
effect of North African fighting on, 315
Securitas: 209
Seidemann, Major-General Hans: 38, 390
Sherwell, Lieut.-Colonel O. W.: 271
Shingler, Brigadier General Don G.: 374n
Shuntien, m.v.: 90
Sicily:
air attacks on, 17, 79, 148, 150, 206
Sidi Barrani:
air attacks on, 295
Sidi Muftah:
defended locality at, 223
150th Brigade at, 227-9
Sidi Omar:
capture of, 48
Sidi Rezegh:
airfield captured, 40
action at, 44-8
British capture, 62
enemy capture, 67
air attacks on, 256
Singapore:
fall of, 200
Sirius, HMS: 317
Sirocco: 170
Sirry, Hussein, Pasha: 130
Sirte:
air attacks on, 60
First Battle of, 112
Slatter, Air Vice-Marshal L. H.: 157
Smith, Captain F. M.: 262, 269
Smuts, Field-Marshal: see Prime Minister of South Africa
Smythe, Sergeant Q.: 231
Sollum:
capture of, 95-6
demolitions at, 296
Somali, HMS: 320
Somerville, Vice-Admiral Sir James:
receives replacements, 117
and withdrawals, 123
relinquishes command of Force H, 163
and convoy operations, 184, 308
Soudan, s.s.: 330n
South African Air Force:
in operation CRUSADER, 51
Squadrons:
2: 343n
4: 343n
5: 343n
12:
attacks enemy raiding column, g
and operation CRUSADER, 57, 87
state of, 87
and Battle of Gazala, 227
and fighting at El Alamein, 343n
40:
relieves No. 208 RAF, 210
works with 13th Corps, 212
and Battle of Gazala, 230
at Tobruk, 258
withdrawn from Tobruk, 263
South African Artillery:
Regiments:
and Light Anti-Aircraft: 262
5th Field: 95n
Batteries:
6th Anti-Tank: 262
2nd Field: 262n
5th Field: 268-9
6th Field: 242
9th Field: 268-9
19th Field: 145n
21st Field: 10
Southwold, HMS: 171
Special Air Service Brigade (later 1st SAS Regiment):
raids Gazala and Tmimi, 17
and operation CRUSADER, 89
and fighting at El Alamein, 344, 358
Stephan, Colonel: 40
Stirling, Major D.: 344
Stokes, Commander G. H.: 109-11, 117
‘Stopcol’: 219
Submarines:
(British)
and enemy convoys, 107, 158, 174, 189, 326
carry supplies to Malta, 155, 173, 189, 325-6
strength of, 178
in convoy operations, 326
tasks of, 328
(German)
arrive in Mediterranean, 108
operations and losses of, 117-8, 174, 192, 216, 328-9
(Italian)
operations and losses of, 117, 174, 328-9
Submarine Flotillas:
8th: 326
10th:
Suda Bay:
air attacks on, 336
Suez:
air attacks on, 17
Suez Canal:
air attacks on, 212
mining of, 337
enemy plan to capture, 382
Sümmermann, Major-General Max: 80
Support Groups:
1st:
relieves 7th, 137
state of, 138
and retreat to Gazala, 140-1, 143-5
7th:
on the frontier, 9
and operation CRUSADER, 39, 41-2, 44, 45n, 49, 54, 56, 62-5, 75, 81, 84-6, 88-9
relief of, 137-8
8th: 353n
Sutlej, HMIS: 124
Syfret, Rear-Admiral E. N.: 162-3, 317-20, 322
Syria:
internal security of, 362
–T–
Takali:
air attacks on, 182
Takoradi air route:
aircraft deliveries by, 13, 282, 283n
Talabot, m.v.: 164, 170-2, 178
Tamer:
raid on, 89
Tanimbar, m.v.: -2
Tanks:
American:
Stuart light:
arrive in Middle East, 4
description of, 28, 71, 100, 214, 243
M3 (Grant):
arrival of, 214
distribution of, 215
mentioned, 279n
Sherman:
for Middle East, 278-9
British:
description of, 27-8
losses of, 91-2, 100, 233, 243, 391
repair of, 243
Matilda:
arrive in Middle East, 4;
Crusader:
changes in, 214
Valentine:
distribution of, 220
German:
Pzkw II, III, IV:
description of, 26-7, 214, 346n
supply and distribution of, 30, 214, 220
Italian:
losses of, 100
particulars of, 441
M13/40:
description of, 27
M14/41: 220
Note on tanks, armour and anti-tank guns: 434-44
Tedder, Air Marshal (later Air Chief Marshal) Sir Arthur:
see also Commanders-in-Chief
and operation CRUSADER, 3, 18, 24, 97-8
and maintenance, 13
and relief of Tobruk, 24-5
and retreat to Gazala, 147
and Malta, 181
and Dobbie, 186
and rearmament and reinforcement, 206, 230, 374
commitments of, 209
and operation VIGOROUS, 307
and support for 8th Army, 335
promoted Air Chief Marshal, 335n
on airfield construction, 373
and Persia and Iraq, 376
Tell el Eisa:
actions at, 335, 345-7, 357, 388
Tennant, Rear-Admiral W. G.: 308, 310
Thailand:
Japanese attack on, 128
Thermopylae, m.v.: 157
Theron, Major-General F. H.: 2, 263
Thompson, Brigadier L. F.: 262, 269
Thorgrim, HMSAS.: 90
Thorn, HMS: 328
Tirpitz: 162
Tmimi:
air attacks on, 17, 41, 43, 210, 212, 225, 230, 244
Tobruk:
siege of, 10-11, 24, 28, 44, 53, 70, 78-9, 259
air attacks on, 17, 22, 25, 212, 336, 339, 345, 352, 379, 388
question of Axis attack on, 19-22, 29, 31, 38-9, 41, 103, 193-5, 219-20
importance of, 22
defence and defences of, 22, 33, 52, 67, 197-8, 245-51, 253-5, 258-64
relief of Australian troops in, 23-5
as a supply base, 90-1, 135, 215, 244, 325, 378, 382
fall of, 273-5, 277-9, 296, 392
Tobruk Garrison: 22-5, 29-30, 38
Todd, Commodore P.: 328
Toscano, Vice-Admiral Antonino: 109
Treaties, etc.:
Anglo-Soviet-Persian, 129
Anglo-Egyptian, 130
Tripartite Pact, 131
Soviet Japanese Pact of Neutrality, 131
Trieste: 104-5
Tripoli:
air attacks on, 15-7, 79, 93, 102, 148, 150, 206, 209
Tripolitania:
supplies to, 94
plans to advance into, 119-20, 199, 364
enemy air forces in, 140
Tuker, Major-General F. I. S.:
commands 4th Indian Division, 137
and retreat to Gazala, 145, 148-9, 151
Turkey:
threat of attack through, 2, 126
aid for, 124
conference with, 124n
–U–
U.73: 318
U.74: 192
U.75: 90
U.79: 90
U.81: 108
U.133: 157
U.205: 313
U.557: 110
U.565: 163
U.568: 192
U.573: 192
U.652: 328
Una, HMS: 328
United States Army Forces in Middle East: 374
United States Army Middle East Air Force:
see also Halverson Detachment
reinforcements for, 283
operations of, 311
integration of, 374-5
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 385
United States Chiefs of Staff:
and conduct of War, 122
and Halverson Detachment, 309
United States Military Iranian Mission: 373-4
United States Military North African Mission: 373-4
United States of America:
flow of munitions from, 3-4
entry into war of, 96, 121, 200
and operation GYMNAST, 120
and operation TORCH, 361
increasingly active in Middle East, 373-5
United States Persian Gulf Service Command: 374, 426
Unwin, Brigadier E. S.: 2
Upham, Captain C. H.: 293, 350
Upholder, HMS: 104, 171, 192-3
Utmost, HMS: [105]
–V–
Vaerst, Lieut.-General Gustav von: 227, 383, 386
Valiant, HMS:
and enemy convoys, 109
and human torpedo attacks, 115, 192, 329
mentioned, 117
leaves for Durban, 192
Vallentin, Brigadier C. M.: 138, 144
‘Venezia’: 223
Veniero: 328
Vian, Rear-Admiral Sir Philip:
commands 15th Cruiser Squadron, 110
and enemy convoys, no, 163
in convoy operations, 111-13, 157, 159-60, 164-72, 180, 183n, 307-8, 310-13, 316
leaves 15th Cruiser Squadron, 328
Vice-Admiral, Malta:
see Ford and Leatham
Vice-Chief of the Air Staff:
see Freeman
Vice-Chief of the Imperial General Staff:
see Nye
Vichy Government: 121
Victoria: 159
Victorious, HMS: 182, 316, 319
VIGOROUS:
mentioned, 245, 251, 255-6, 315-6, 324, 328
description of operation, 307-13
Vivaldi: 304-6
Volo, m.v. 90
Volturno: 106
Voroshilov, Marshal: 366
–W–
Wachtfels: 326
Wafd Party: 130
Waimarama, m.v.: 320-1
Wairangi, m.v.: 320
Wakenshaw, Private A.: 289
Waldau. Lieut.-General Otto Hoffmann von:
reinforcements for, 193
forces of, 212
on lack of army/air co-operation, 227, 336
on misuse of air forces, 235
on RAF performance, 337
on shortage of fighters and fuel, 339
commands Fliegerkorps X, 381
Waller, Brigadier R. B.: 348n
‘Wall Group’: 348
Walter, Captain P. N.: 262, 270
Wanklyn, Lieut.-Commander M. D.: 193
War Cabinet:
see also Defence Committee
and Tobruk, 23
should be represented in Middle East, 129
mentioned, 130
and Dobbie, 186
and timing of a resumed offensive, 198, 201, 203-4
on Middle East Command, 368
and Persia and Iraq Command, 375-6
Ward Gunn, 2nd Lieutenant G.: 44
Warszawa, m.v.: 90
Wasp, USS:
carries fighters for Malta, 155, 182, 187, 300, 318
Watkins, Brigadier H. R. B.: 37, 95
Wavell, General Sir Archibald:
and 17th Indian Division, 123
and Iraq and Persia Command, 128, 375
in Cairo with Churchill, 362, 364, 366
appointed Viceroy of India, 376
Welshman, HMS:
carries supplies to Malta, 155, 187-9, 300, 306, 314, 324-5
Western Cyrenaica:
air attacks on enemy airfields in, 51
maintenance of forces in, 94
air superiority in, 99
threat to, 141
British reoccupation of, 161
effect of loss of airfields in, 197
Western Desert Air Force:
strength and state of, 12, 18, 31, 139-40, 205, 210, 220, 230, 282-3, 385, 392, 420-3
mobility of, 13
and air support, 14, 35, 208, 256, 352
and operation CRUSADER, 14, 17, 35, 38, 41, 51, 55, 57, 60, 74-6, 83, 86-7, 92-3, 96, 98, 205
losses of, 51, 60, 76, 79, 99, 213, 227, 237, 241-2, 258, 288
co-operates with 8th Army, 98, 294, 296, 370
and retreat to Gazala, 148-9
reorganization of, 205-9
and defence of airfields, 208
operations during the lull, 210-13
and Battle of Gazala, 224-5, 227, 230, 234-5, 237, 239, 241, 255-6, 258-9
and VIGOROUS convoy, 251
reinforcements for, 282, 372, 375, 393
and a withdrawal to Matruh, 283, 287-8
and withdrawal to El Alamein, 293-6, 335, 373
based on Egypt, 335
and fighting at El Alamein, 343, 346, 352, 358, 361
and Battle of Alam el Halfa, 383, 385
Western Desert Escort Force: 24n, 90
Western Desert Force:
becomes 13th Corps, Westphal, Colonel Siegfried:
and operation CRUSADER, 58
and advance to Gazala, 139
and Battle of Gazala, 226
wounded, 229
Weygand, General Maxime: 120-1
Wheeler, Brigadier General Raymond A.: 373-4
Whiteley, Brigadier J. F. M.: 272
Whyte, Lieut.-Colonel I. B.: 271
Willison, Brigadier A. C.:
commands 32nd Army Tank Brigade, 38
and operation CRUSADER, 43, 61-2
at Tobruk, 261, 263, 267-8, 271
Wilson, General Sir Henry Maitland: 1, 376
Wishart, HMS: 192
Wolverine, HMS: 318
Wrestler, HMS: 192
–Y–
Yarra, HMAS: 124
–Z–
Zulu, HMS: 165