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The failure of British armour to reach the infantry in time results in the loss of 800 men. More than 2,300 New Zealanders were killed, wounded, or captured in the two battles. Both Vaiarini de Piacenza and Zanetti were killed in the fighting and posthumously decorated (Gold and Silver Medals respectively) for their bravery. In the same action, Private [[Günter Halm]] from the the 104th Panzergrenadier Regiment wins the Knights Cross and a commission, for single-handedly putting out of action half a dozen British tanks or more, before his captured Russian 76.2mm anti-tank gun was destroyed in the counter fire.
The failure of British armour to reach the infantry in time results in the loss of 800 men. More than 2,300 New Zealanders were killed, wounded, or captured in the two battles. Both Vaiarini de Piacenza and Zanetti were killed in the fighting and posthumously decorated (Gold and Silver Medals respectively) for their bravery. In the same action, Private [[Günter Halm]] from the the 104th Panzergrenadier Regiment wins the Knights Cross and a commission, for single-handedly putting out of action half a dozen British tanks or more, before his captured Russian 76.2mm anti-tank gun was destroyed in the counter fire.
==Miteiriya==
General Auchinleck is determined to retain the initiative and orders another two brigade-sized attacks on the night of 26/27 July, planning to push through the supposedly weak Italian defences. However, the Australian attack against Miteiriya Ridge meets unexpected tough resistance from machinegunners and antitank gunners from the ''Trento'' and the attack is halted, with an infantry battalion surrounded by armoured cars from the ''Trieste'' with the coming of daylight. Supporting British armour runs into a minefield, and the Australians are forced to surrender. The Australian 2/28th Battalion loses 65 men killed and 490 captured in the attack against the ''Trento'' and ''Trieste'' Divisions.
The 8th Army is now completely exhausted, and by 31 July General Auchinleck orders an end to offensive operations in favour of strengthening the defence lines to be able to meet any future counter-offensive.
== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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[[Category:World War II Battles]]
[[Category:World War II Battles]]