0200 hours 10/10/1942
Location - Western Desert; Undisclosed location west of Benghazi, Libya
Roster: Lieutenant Tonkin
Sergeant Wilson
Troopers Pike; Crabtree; Flashman; Fraser; Walker; Carstairs; Godfrey
Moonless night. Minefield belt. Unknown number and quality of DAK sentries.
Sub-unit of L Detachment SAS led by Lt. Tonkin charged with clearing multiple paths through a minefield in preparation for a breakthrough by the main column.
The main sections of mines were protected by barbed wire. Lt. Tonkin with Crabtree, Flashman and Godfrey probed the mines on the right. Pike with the bren set up on a sand dune overlooking the centre to provide covering and supporting fire if necessary. Fraser and Walker set up opposite the centre with Sgt Wilson in close support while Carstairs was probing on the left ready to be supported by the centre if it was a viable route.
Lt. Tonkin on the right met no resistance in the form of direct sentries and was able to remove a significant portion of mines. Crabtree, Flashman and Godfrey were slower in arriving at the mines and were less successful.
In the centre it soon became clear Jerry was patrolling in strength making approaches for Fraser and Walker more problematic and slow. Sgt. Wilson deployed to the left in support of Carstairs. Precious time had thus been lost and by the time they were able to get in position to start clearing a path Jerry was aware what was happening. Carstairs was subject of concentrated fire and was struck but as luck would have it he was struck on his cigarette case and bullet ricocheted harmlessly off. Sgt. Wilson wisely took the decision to withdraw rather than be less lucky than Carstairs and no headway was made on the left.
Meanwhile on the right Jerry now started paying attention to Tonkin and his team. Luckily their wild firing into the void failed to find the mark but it would only have been a matter of time especially as Hermans from a nearby hut were now rushing to join their comrades and would overwhelm Tonkin and his chaps.
Unfortunately Fraser and Walker were caught out in the open as Jerry got his act together as they were making a surreptitious approach towards the centre. They were outgunned and although were able to loose off some rounds on this occasion their world renowned marksmanship was sub par. Walker was downed by a lucky shot but was able to crawl away to fight - literally - another day. Alas Fraser went into the bag holding the Jerry’s up and allowing his comrades to make an orderly withdrawal.
While this commotion was unfolding Pike offered covering fire from the bren and took out a couple of Jerry’s but ultimately drew the conclusion that discretion was the better part of valour and crept away to fight another day.
Overall a disappointing show despite some heroic efforts from Lt. Tonkin but most of the chaps got away with just their pride dented and importantly no permanent losses.
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