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Line 26:
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→El Mreir
Determined to encircle and capture the rest of the ''Ariete'', the New Zealander infantry attacked again on 5 July, but were repelled by heavy fire from the ''Brescia'' Division dug in near El Mreir.
Determined to encircle and capture the rest of the ''Ariete'', the New Zealander infantry attacked again on 5 July, but were repelled by heavy fire from the ''Brescia'' Division dug in near El Mreir.
The Allied attacks continued, and the Indian 5th Infantry Division in the form of the 9th Brigade and 7th Motorised Brigade, pushed north into Rommel's flank and in three days of fighting almost reached Deir el Shein. A Maori battalion from the 2nd New Zealand Division overran part of the ''Brescia'', but were unexpectedly counterattacked by the ''Pavia'' Division and forced to retreat. The ''Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War'' confirms that ''"enemy forces seeping south threatened to outflank the Division"'' but reveals nothing else.
The Allied attacks continued, and the Indian 5th Infantry Division in the form of the 9th Brigade and 7th Motorised Brigade, pushed north into Rommel's flank and in three days of fighting almost reached Deir el Shein. A Maori battalion from the 2nd New Zealand Division overran part of the ''Brescia'', but were unexpectedly counterattacked by the ''Pavia'' Division and forced to retreat. The ''Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War'' confirms that ''"enemy forces seeping south threatened to outflank the Division"'' but makes light of the incident.
During the initial fighting, Major [[Terence O'Brien-Butler]] from the 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, displayed enormous control when surrounded by German armour, saving his battery from capture and winning the [[Military Cross]] (MC) for his courage.
During the initial fighting, Major [[Terence O'Brien-Butler]] from the 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, displayed enormous control when surrounded by German armour, saving his battery from capture and winning the [[Military Cross]] (MC) for his courage.