Changes

==Miteiriya==

==Miteiriya==

General Auchinleck is determined to retain the initiative and orders another two brigade-sized attacks on the night of 26/27 July, with the Australian commanders planning in pushing through the supposedly demoralized Italian defenders on Sanyet el Miteiriya .<ref>"The aim was to breach a section of line held by Italian troops, the more brittle element in Rommel's army." [https://www.awm.gov.au/talks-speeches/1942-ruin-ridge/ Remembering 1942: Ruin Ridge]</ref> However, the Australian attack against Miteiriya Ridge meets unexpected tough resistance from machinegunners and antitank gunners from the ''Trento'' and the attack is halted soon after dawn, with the 2nd/28th infantry battalion surrounded by armoured cars from the ''Trieste''.<ref>"The Bn was completely surrounded by ARMORED CARS which worked forward under cover of fire from enemy tanks further back, while 20mm, MMG and mortar fire kept the heads of our own troops well down. In this manner the enemy was able to cut off and dispose of sections and platoons one by one, until at 1030 hrs Bn HQ area was occupied by several ARMORED CARS and surviving personnel taken prisoner. An effort had been made to hinder the enemy armored vehicles by bringing Arty fire to bear on them before they dispersed. Unfortunately the only communication with Bde was by one wireless set WT repaired by Sigs, after about eight hours work. Messages reporting the situation were sent immediately once this set was capable of functioning, i.e., about 0930 hrs onwards. Last message was “All up, overrun!”." [https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1026672/?image=5  July 1942 Diary by Lieutenant S. A. Walker]</ref>Supporting British armour runs into a minefield, and the Australians are forced to surrender to the Italians.<ref>"Assuming that the Italians were demoralized and easy pickings was a mistake, which the 9th Australian Division, the heroes of the defense of Tobruk in 1941, learned to its regret. A night attack against the Trento and Trieste Divisions, after some initial success, was bloodily repulsed, one entire battalion of Australian infantry being overrun." Field Marshal: The Life and Death of Erwin Rommel, Daniel Allen Butler, p. 352, Casemate, 2015</ref>The Australian battalion loses 65 men killed and 490 captured in the attack against the ''Trento'' and ''Trieste'' Divisions.

General Auchinleck is determined to retain the initiative and orders another two brigade-sized attacks on the night of 26/27 July, with the Australian commanders planning in pushing through the supposedly demoralized Italian defenders on Sanyet el Miteiriya<ref>"The aim was to breach a section of line held by Italian troops, the more brittle element in Rommel's army." [https://www.awm.gov.au/talks-speeches/1942-ruin-ridge/ Remembering 1942: Ruin Ridge]</ref>, also known as Ruin Ridge. However, the Australian attack against Miteiriya Ridge meets unexpected tough resistance from machinegunners and antitank gunners from the ''Trento'' and the attack is halted soon after dawn, with the 2nd/28th infantry battalion surrounded by armoured cars from the ''Trieste''.<ref>"The Bn was completely surrounded by ARMORED CARS which worked forward under cover of fire from enemy tanks further back, while 20mm, MMG and mortar fire kept the heads of our own troops well down. In this manner the enemy was able to cut off and dispose of sections and platoons one by one, until at 1030 hrs Bn HQ area was occupied by several ARMORED CARS and surviving personnel taken prisoner. An effort had been made to hinder the enemy armored vehicles by bringing Arty fire to bear on them before they dispersed. Unfortunately the only communication with Bde was by one wireless set WT repaired by Sigs, after about eight hours work. Messages reporting the situation were sent immediately once this set was capable of functioning, i.e., about 0930 hrs onwards. Last message was “All up, overrun!”." [https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1026672/?image=5  July 1942 Diary by Lieutenant S. A. Walker]</ref>Supporting British armour runs into a minefield, and the Australians are forced to surrender to the Italians.<ref>"Assuming that the Italians were demoralized and easy pickings was a mistake, which the 9th Australian Division, the heroes of the defense of Tobruk in 1941, learned to its regret. A night attack against the Trento and Trieste Divisions, after some initial success, was bloodily repulsed, one entire battalion of Australian infantry being overrun." Field Marshal: The Life and Death of Erwin Rommel, Daniel Allen Butler, p. 352, Casemate, 2015</ref>The Australian battalion loses 65 men killed and 490 captured in the attack against the ''Trento'' and ''Trieste'' Divisions.

The British attack had also been unsuccessful, and about 600 were captured in a German counterattack with tanks and infantry that arrive in trucks.

The British attack had also been unsuccessful, and about 600 were captured in a German counterattack with tanks and infantry that arrive in trucks.