Scenario S37 Khamsin - Initial Comments and strategic considerations
6Libya, 13 June 1942, 40 Kilometers southwest of Tobruk:
The Gazala battles had been ranging for days with Panzerarmee Afrika driving for the great prize of Tobruk.
Several British strongpoints still lay in his path, one of which was the Knightsbridge Box held by the 201st Guards Motor Brigade Group.
On 13 June 15th Panzer Division from the east and 21st Panzer Division from the west enveloped this position.
After a day of heavy fighting, the final clash of armor occurred when units of 2nd and 4th Armoured Brigades, sent to reinforce a Guards position on Rigel Ridge, met 21st Panzer Division during the last stages of one of the desert’s violent sandstorms – a khamsin.
Aftermath: a “most confused action” occurred amidst the swirling sand and dust, with heavy losses on both sides. By nightfall, 21st Panzer Division overrun Rigel Ridge and secured the western portion of the 201st Guards Brigade Group successfully withdrew from it along a perilously narrow corridor. The loss os the Knightsbridge Box forced the British to abandon the Gazala Line, and Tobruk would finally fall to Rommel eight days later
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