#11b - Goose Chase (19-20 November 1941) - PzC 04 Tobruk '41

Gasr el Arid, 19 November 1941: Recon elements of the Afrika Korps reported the British incursion into Libya early on 18 November, but Rommel, more interested in the preparations for the pending attack against Tobruk, refused to authorize any German reaction. General Cruewell, the commander of the DAK, however, did put the two panzer divisions on alert. Continued British pressure, on the morning of 19 November, finally convinced the German command that action was required. Around noon, 21st Panzer was ordered to send Kampfgruppe Stephan, basically 5th Panzer Regiment, to destroy the British in the Gabr Saleh area. Orders were also issued to 15th Panzer to move from their reserve position near the coast into the same area. So, while the 7th Armoured Division was pursuing three diverging objectives, the Afrika Korps was concentrating both panzer divisions in a position that threatened their flank and rear. Over the next day and half, the two German divisions took turns dancing with the 4th Armoured Brigade but, due partially to ammunition and fuel shortages, was never quite able to get them to grips. If they had done so, however, the indisputable outcome would have been the complete destruction of 4th Armoured Brigade.