15 Nov 42.
On the move at 0545hrs and make towards Martuba, where the five airdromes were taken without opposition by 1130hrs, although plenty of enemy planes was found (about 20, almost in new condition on No 3 ‘drome).
Have a very quick brew whilst waiting for petrol lorry and then move West on the track to Giovanni Berta with 1st Troop in the lead (six prisoners taken on the road). Arrive at Giovanni Berta at 1730hrs and informed that the enemy had left at 1530hrs. Leaguer on the West side of the town, but very little sleep as it began to rain heavily at about 2300hrs, forcing us to move into billets at 0545hrs. Stayed here all day – still raining.
16 Nov 42.
Air attack at 1430hrs, which caused casualties to the Gunners, who were about a quarter of a mile from us. All the tanks are now in very bad condition and two more have to be sent back (Lt Young and Sgt Barnett MM). Our first rations for four days arrive by Sgt Walker at 1500hrs.
Leave Giovanni Berta at 0900hrs, taking the southern roads towards Barce. ‘A’ Sqn 8th Hussars stay in the lead with four tanks and make good going until about 1230hrs, when the leading tank (SSM) was stopped by two natives, who gave warning that a party of Germans was laying mines about 2km ahead, almost at Slonta.
We went forward and found this to be true – the party split up when we came in sight and men were seen to run towards the fort at Slonta, which was about half a mile from this point and on the high ground to the North of the road. We followed them, after ensuring that no mines had been laid on the road but, on rounding the corner, found a roadblock, so the men were able to escape.
Knowing that the fort was occupied, Maj Harbord gave the order to form the battle line on the Southside of the road in case anything should come from the fort. The action took place, during which one tank was knocked out and our casualties were:-
- Maj J D Harbord – killed in action
- Cpl Langmead – killed in action
- LCpl Scrugham – wounded in action
- Tpr Commons – wounded in action
- Tpr Branson – wounded in action
To: Bde Major 4 Lt Armd Bde
Herewith, as requested, is an account of the action at Slonta on 17 Nov 42 by the remaining four tanks of the 8th KRI Hussars.
At approx 1300hrs the leading tank was warned by natives that a party of Germans was laying mines at a point 2km ahead, on the road at the entrance of Slonta. The information was passed back to Bde HQ. Maj J D Harbord ordered the Squadron forward to investigate and a party of men was seen to run towards the fort; they had been disturbed before they had time to lay mines on the road. The tanks rounded the corner and found a roadblock, so Maj Harbord took the lead and turned left off the road.
The four tanks spread out into line abreast, with Maj Harbord on the right, Capt M Harari in the centre and SSM Kirkham on the left. The fourth tank, having no wireless, remained in the rear. Two guns opened fire on the tanks, one from the fort and the other from the side of the road.
Maj Harbord went to the right to silence the 20mm, which was situated on the right side of the road and about ten yards from the road. His guns jammed and he decided to run down a steep bank and run the gun down, and in doing this he lost a track. Being under direct fire and unable to move, he gave the order to bale out. He himself did not leave the tank but mounted his AA gun to give cover to his crew.
While firing his AA gun he was severely wounded in the leg but carried on until a second and third bullet from the 20mm killed him outright. Had he not remained at his gun, it is doubtful whether his crew would have escaped unhurt.
No 556411 Tpr R Weir, Maj Harbord’s driver, baled out through the front and found that a German, armed with a light machine-gun, was a few yards from the front of the tank and was about to machine-gun the crew. Tpr Weir rushed forward and, though unarmed himself, struck the German and, after a brief struggle the German broke loose and ran back to his party, which was now abandoning its position.
In the centre Capt Harari’s tank was fired on at about 75yds range by a well-concealed 48mm A/Tk gun, and the driver was wounded and unable to carry on.
On the left, SSM Kirkham saw the flash of the A/Tk gun which had fired on Capt Harari and, working his way around the flank, succeeded in capturing the gun, though the crew were able to make their escape.
Signed Max Harari, Capt
In the Field
Comd ‘A’ Sqn
8th KRI Hussars
19 Nov 42
Related topics
- A short history of 3rd The King’s Own Hussars
- A short history of The 4th Queen’s Own Hussars
- A short history of The 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars
- Middle East (Egypt and Libya) timeline
- Vickers-Armstrong Mk VIB light tank
- A10 Cruiser tank
- A13 Cruiser tank
- A15 Crusader tank
- M3 Stuart ‘Honey’ tank
- M3 General Grant tank
- M4 Sherman tank
- Object: 2pdr Armour piercing round
