Life in the Army - Chapter 15 — The Battle for Wadi Akarit

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Roger Marsh of the ‘Action Desk — Sheffield’ Team on behalf of Arthur Ward, and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Refer to Chapter 1-- A4345544 -for links to other chapters.

LIFE IN THE ARMY

by
ARTHUR WARD

Chapter 15 — The Battle for Wadi Akarit

March 27, 1943
Reveille at 05:50 hours. A lecture by Major Chrimes at 07:30 hours to give Griff (information) about the next attack.

We moved at 10:15 hours, and joined up with the Sherman tanks of the Queen's Bays. At 16:30 hours the New Zealand infantry attacked under a big creeping barrage from the artillery. They managed to take their objective at 20:30 hours. This attack should have been supported by the largest air attack so far, but a terrific sandstorm sprang up and the planes were unable to take off.

Here we saw a sight I shall never forget. The NZ infantry were advancing up a long and very wide hill. The Germans were well dug in at the top with large calibre machine guns. The infantry were in staggered lines advancing with bayonets fixed, ignoring the streams of bullets occasionally ducking down but nothing could stop them.

We were firing over them to help keep down the heads of the Germans.

The scene was just like a film of World War I but more realistic, as we were personally involved.

We were pleased when they reached the top and the Sherman tanks were able to follow them up. The ground was too open for our tanks as the German anti tank guns were well dug in and there was no cover at all.

A gap was made through the enemy lines and we advanced through it.

We had to go into action against Jerry tanks and infantry, but we only fired 6 rounds per gun, as we had to move because we were being shelled and machine-gunned by enemy tanks, and the position was very hazardous.

We leaguered at 21:15 hours about 1,000 yards from the enemy.

The idea was that we had to wait for the moon to rise before we advanced. Several squads of German and Italian troops were wandering about lost, but they did not realise what had happened until they were taken prisoner.

At 22:15 hours, the 1st Armoured Division complete, moved through the German lines in a column down the main road. As our forward tanks contacted enemy tanks, anti tank guns and motor transport, they ‘brewed’ them up.

We had a good view of cruiser tanks machine-gunning 88 mm gun towers and their crews.
This was in the very bright moonlight, assisted by flares fired from both sides.

March 26, 1943
Just before daylight, at a bought 07:30 hours, we went into action. We fired 10 rounds and then we were strafed by a very low flying ME110 and a ME109.

These planes just skimmed over the top of us and must have been low on ammunition, as they could have wiped out our battery.

We all had them in our sights of the Browning guns, but none of them would fire as we had travelled all night with them uncovered and they were full of sand. We learned by mistakes and always travelled with dust covers on them afterwards.

At 00:30 hours we moved forward 2 miles into a position behind a high crest. We laid the guns on SOS lines and hoped to have a good night's sleep.

Flares and AP bombs dropped near us. Things had gone according to plan and 1st Armoured Division was completely cut off behind German lines, with rations for 4 days and 3 days emergency rations.

March 26, 1943
Reveille 05:30 hours. We fired 125 rounds with the priest during the day.

We were shelled by long-range guns and bombed by the dreaded Stukas and ME’s.

During one very heavy air attack by German planes, the air was full of shells from our Bofors anti aircraft guns, and from one of them, a piece of shrapnel came whistling down and hit me on the shoulder. Fortunately I had my tunic on and the metal had cooled down and lost a lot of its force, so I was not injured at all.

These last few nights are ones to be remembered, everything round us seemed to be utter chaos.

We were mixed up with forward tanks and the infantry, and we could see Germans and their guns only a matter of yards away. The enemy was more surprised than we were, and they were shattered to see our priests in direct contact with their artillery.

When the moon came up, it added to the flares and it was almost like daylight. The enemy had not enough transport so they fought as long as they could and then put up a white flag.

Finally the enemy was routed and 1st Armoured Division took over 3,000 prisoners and captured 11 tanks and 81 guns, and it was impossible to count the number of knocked out and burning vehicles.

The whole area was covered in black smoke, dust, burning vehicles and the smell cordite and the ever-present terrible smell of men burnt to death.

March 29, 1943
We moved forward 2 miles and fired 10 rounds each, then for 3 days we were moving about on the plain firing at various targets.

March 30, 1943
We entered El Hamma a large white walled 'Wog' village, and then the way was open across a low flat plain, so the division was able to swan out towards the mountains in the distance, which was to be the next enemy strong point at Wadi Akarit.

On the plain we were always in full view of the enemy Op's sited high up in the mountains.

We travelled 5 miles on the plain into gun positions. During the day we fired 98 rounds but the Germans were fighting back and during one heavy spell of shelling, L/Bdr Bryan was badly hurt and taken to hospital. My small pack (hung on the side of the priest) was riddled with shrapnel from one shell.

At this point we could see the gun flashes of enemy guns part way up the mountains, then the shriek of the shells rushing over and the mighty explosion when they landed.

When we saw the flash, we hoped the shells were not bound for our immediate area, but before we had time to do anything, they were landing around us. We could not see all the guns firing, as the Germans were experts at fitting flash eliminators to their gun barrels.

At night we leaguered with The Queen's Bays.

April 01, 1943
Our priest broke down (they had all passed the time when they should have had a complete overhaul, but they couldn't be spared). We travelled 8 miles down to B1 Echelon to have it repaired at Oudref.

In the afternoon, very large 210 mm guns shelled us. We had to stay overnight, so had to dig slit trenches to sleep in.

We were passed by the 51st Highland Division and an Indian Division coming up from the Mareth line, which was now in allied hands.

April 02, 1943
We were able to move back to our position on the plain, and mail has come up. I received airmail from home posted on March 16th - not bad, just over 2 weeks. I was able to write home and to Nessie.

The RAF was very active over the mountains in front doing a bit of softening up, ready for the next attack.

We stayed in this position for 4 days.

April 04, 1943
We were able to go into El Hamma where a stream of hot water runs through the village, so we were able to have an open air hot bath - very good for morale (with trunks on).

Our artillery was shelling the hills in front continually, and the Luttewaffe replied by dropping bombs on our lines.

April 06, 1943
BATTLE FOR WADI AKARIT

A "Wadi" is a river-bed without water in the dry season, and usually has steep sides sometimes too steep to climb. In this case, at Akarit, the enemy were well dug in at the top and our forces had to fight their way through the bottom of the Wadi.

A large-scale attack took place, which started at 04:30 hours, the usual Montgomery method of the enemy front lines being plastered by the RAF and mighty barrages from the whole army artillery. We were standing by in reserve, ready for the 'break through'.

3 Divisions attacked, the 50th, 51st HD and the 4th Indian. The Indians met Italian forces and reports that they soon sorted them out with their Kukris (knives) and the Ities soon surrendered.

The New Zealanders had to follow through with the tanks of 1st Armoured Division and break through to a large port at SFAX.

We heard that 3,000 prisoners were in the bag before 09:00 hours.

The second big attack went in at 08:30 hours, supported by a bigger air attack.

We rested all day and joined the Queen's Bays at 17:30 hours.

April 07, 1943
At 02:30 hours we went through the gap made in the attack, which had been a complete success. 1st Armoured Division travelled for 24 miles then leaguered.

April 08, 1943
When dawn broke, we followed the tanks of the Bays for another 18 miles. We were heavily shelled by the Germans and had to go into action, firing 38 rounds per gun.

We moved forward another 3 miles and the shelling became worse. Signaller Hoey was wounded and his truck was set on fire, although they were able to put it out.

We were firing at enemy tanks, which included Tigers. These are very large tanks with a massive gun which could easily out gun any of ours, so usually we had to use a large number of tanks and guns against one.

The enemy shelling was very heavy, and we had to move back one mile then continue firing.

Just before dark, 1st Armoured Division Tanks moved forward and were involved in a big tank battle and we had to give them supporting fire.

April 09, 1943
Early morning found that the enemy had retreated, so we chased after him for 34 miles through farms, orchards, olive groves until he stopped on a high ridge overlooking our advance.

This type of countryside was a change for us, but unfortunately it meant that buildings were being damaged and civilians and animals were losing their lives.

The Queen's Bays put out of action many tanks, including a Tiger Mark VI (one of the newest in action). We fired many rounds to support them.

During the day, I saw Bill Turner (ex 70th), he told me that they had captured a German HQ and found a box containing brand new Leica cameras. He said he had sold them cheaply for a bit of beer money. I grumbled at him and said they were worth a fortune. I wish I had managed to get one.

We stayed on SOS lines all night expecting a counter attack. None came.

Just before dusk, there was a very heavy raid on us by Stukas, but little damage done.

April 10, 1943
Advanced 3 miles and into action again, and we helped to remove the enemy from the high ground. We passed 4th RHA Regt and I saw Norman Paley and Don Stewart (ex 70th).

More action and an advance of 10 miles until 16:30 hours when we went into leaguer with the rest of the 2nd Armd Bgd. for 2 days maintenance and rest.

Most nights we had to fire Harrassing Fire - this kept the enemy awake but us as well (particularly No.1's).

April 11, 1943
We did not have much rest until maintenance was completed.

We were then told that the 8th Armd Bgd. had taken up the chase and were 40 miles north of SFAX, which had fallen to the 8th Army, so it was an important Port for supplies to come in.

During the day we were given more information that the 1st Armoured Division had finished fighting in North Africa, and were given orders to scrub our webbing and polish our brasses.

April 12, 1943
We were told that at Wadi Akarit, we had taken 8,000 prisoners and destroyed many guns and tanks.

Our Regt had been lucky, only having several men killed and several wounded.

I heard after the war that Peter Walker who had been in my class at school and lived in Swallownest, had been killed in the battle of Wadi Akarit. On a visit to Aston Cemetery I saw a gravestone to his honour giving the date and where he was killed in action.

During the battle some of the 8th Army forward troops made an encircling movement and should have met the American troops, but when they reached the rendezvous a hail of fire from German guns met them. However the meeting was made several days later when the GI's could not understand how the 8th Army coped with their eating in subsections (and cooking) with a very black brew tin hanging from every vehicle. Even in action they had to have a proper cookhouse.

The 12th (Monday) was the first time since coming into action that we slept without hearing bombs, Ack Ack, or machine guns. We were able to have a full night's sleep.

April 13, 1943
PLANS CHANGED
The BC Major Chrimes gave a lecture. The 1st Army intended to take Tunis but they needed an armoured division to help them so Gen. Montgomery had said, "send the 1st AD”, so again we prepared to move.

April 14, 1943
At 14:20 hours, we moved 3 miles down the road to Lymcia and loaded onto transporters, and stayed all night.

April 15, 1943
From the fields we gathered 3 sand bags full of peas and beans. We arranged a scratch football match and I played for the Battery and won 5-0 against the RASC Unit.

At 19:30 hours we moved off down a road, which was in an area of desert (again) and stopped for a rest at 03:30 hours.

There was no reveille, so didn't disturb until 10:30 hours. We rested all day and at 23:30 hours moved off through the night.

The road was very bad and the retreating Germans had blown all the bridges, so the RE's had to hurriedly build bailey bridges.

Daylight came and the locals (who still looked like wogs, but could speak French) sold us eggs and bread.

We moved through Lekef and after another 15 miles, we unloaded at 05:00 hours and moved into a thick wood and camouflaged the priests. Here we joined the 1st Army after a journey of 300 miles.

April 17 & 18, 1943
More maintenance and rest.

April 19, 1943
I saw Bill Turner and he told me he had bought a goat for a pet. We heard that 70th Field Regt. were in the area.

We travelled 32 miles on the Tunis road to the battle area, and on the way I saw the Div Sign (Oak Tree) of the 46th Infantry Division.

April 20, 1943
Reveille 07:30 hours. Troop Parade 09:00 hours. Inspection, very good turnout said BC.

Heard the griff about the next attack. We were to take part in a barrage with the 12th HAC and Ayrshire Yoemanry with 46th Division on our right. We were supporting the 138th Infantry Brigade.

Then we had to follow through with 26th Armoured Brigade of 6th Armoured Division (sign mailed fist).

Then the breakthrough with 2nd Armoured Brigade of 1st Armoured Division, and then on to Tunis.

I was looking out to see Al White and the lads of the 70th soon.

We moved at 19:00 hours for 14 miles, over very bad roads and through deep Wadis, into a gun position on Goubelliat Plain. We arrived at 02:30 hours and stacked ammo and dug slit trenches.

April 21, 1943
Reveille 06:30 hours we washed and shaved. During the night nearby ‘E’ Bty was attacked by German Infantry of the Herman Goering Division. The enemy had been within 100 yards of our gun position. 'Ignorance is bliss' so we slept well. This German infantry division was one of their best - we had fought them in the desert.

All day we carried out maintenance and prepared ammunition. We mounted our Browning guns on the ground (for the first time) about 250 yards in front of the guns and had listening posts keeping a lookout for the enemy.

I was on this duty from 02:00 to 04:00 hours. We were stood to at 02:30 hours ready to fire a barrage but it was cancelled.

Pr-BR

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