I asked my colleagues to give me reasonable time.

Unfortunately, General Auchinleck had underestimated his enemy’s power of recuperation. The Royal Air Force in Malta, which, under the determined leadership of Air Vice-Marshal Lloyd, had contributed to the land victory by its autumn attacks on Italian ports and shipping, had been set upon in December by a powerful concentration of German air squadrons in Sicily and subdued. Our recent misfortunes at sea had so weakened Admiral Cunningham’s fleet that for a time it could not intervene effectively on the sea route to Tripoli. Supplies were now reaching Rommel freely. On January 21 he launched a reconnaissance in force, consisting of three columns each of about a thousand motorised infantry supported by tanks. These rapidly found their way through the gaps between our contact troops, who had no tanks working with them. General Goodwin-Austen thereupon ordered withdrawal, first to Agedabia and thereafter to block the enemy’s way from Antelat to Msus.

On the 23d news of an unfavourable character arrived.

The Hinge of Fate

46

General Auchinleck

23 Jan. 42

to Prime Minister

It seems clear that Rommel’s eastward move on January 21 was made in anticipation [of an] expected attack by us. Finding only light forces confronting him, he evidently decided to push on with the intention of disturbing our main L. of C., which he appears to believe rests on Benghazi. During withdrawal on January 21 in difficult sand-dune country southwest of Agedabia, columns of the Support Group, 1st Armoured Division, reported to have lost nine guns and a hundred mechanical transport; also a number of casualties, details as yet unknown.

2. If Rommel persists in his advance, particularly on the Ben, ghazi axis, he is likely to expose his eastward flank to attack by our armour, which in that area now amounts to about 150 cruiser and American tanks. The small enemy column which penetrated almost into Antelat last night is presumed to be a commando.

3. I realise the public at home may be upset by enemy reoccupying Agedabia, but it may well be that Rommel may be drawn on into a situation unfavourable to him. Rommel’s move has held up reconnaissances and other preparations for our planned offensive against Aghcila, but, as you know, prime retarding factor was and still is need for building up adequate reserve in and forward of Benghazi…. Am confident that General Ritchie is watching for opportunity to force encounter battle in conditions which may be more favourable to us than those obtaining round Agheila, with its swamps and bad going….

I accepted this view at the time, not having the slightest idea of what had happened on the 21st, or of the general and rapid retreat of all our advanced forces now in progress. Up to this point no reason had ever been suggested to me to expect misfortune. On the contrary, I had been told of an impending British offensive. Our turn of the corner into Tripolitania might have been delayed, but The Hinge of Fate

47

Auchinleck seemed confident for the future. But now on this same 24th came news of different import.

General

4 Jan. 42, 3

Auchinleck

to

P.M.

Prime Minister

…. Enemy has been able to maintain unexpected strength forward apparently, and his initial advance seems to have disconcerted temporarily at any rate our forward troops.