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→Battle of Beda Fomm
The fighting lasted 30 hours, and Combe Force managed to hold off about 15,000 or 25,000 (depending on the source) Italian soldiers supported by 120 medium tanks, 75 field guns and 50 anti-tank guns. In this engagement, the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment and Special Armoured Brigade nearly overrun the British infantry headquarters in two determined counterattacks.<ref>"...the Italians mounted a series of fierce night attacks against the 2nd Rifle Brigade's positions at Sidi Saleh. Although the first attack penetrated the Rifle Brigade's defences the onslaught was held, the combination of mines anti-tank fire and the 25-pounders of the RHA proving too strong even for the gallant Bersaglieri. The attacks continued, accompanied by heavy Italian shellfire, on the morning of 7 February, and once again the Rifle Brigade positions were penetrated. this time by M13 tanks, one of which was only halted outside battalion headquarters." (The Longest Siege: Tobruk, The Battle That Saved North Africa, Robert Lyman, p. 73, Pan Australia, 2009)</ref>
The fighting lasted 30 hours, and Combe Force managed to hold off about 15,000 or 25,000 (depending on the source) Italian soldiers supported by 120 medium tanks, 75 field guns and 50 anti-tank guns. In this engagement, the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment and Special Armoured Brigade nearly overrun the British infantry headquarters in two determined counterattacks.<ref>"...the Italians mounted a series of fierce night attacks against the 2nd Rifle Brigade's positions at Sidi Saleh. Although the first attack penetrated the Rifle Brigade's defences the onslaught was held, the combination of mines anti-tank fire and the 25-pounders of the RHA proving too strong even for the gallant Bersaglieri. The attacks continued, accompanied by heavy Italian shellfire, on the morning of 7 February, and once again the Rifle Brigade positions were penetrated. this time by M13 tanks, one of which was only halted outside battalion headquarters." (The Longest Siege: Tobruk, The Battle That Saved North Africa, Robert Lyman, p. 73, Pan Australia, 2009)</ref>
After having failed to break through the British lines, and with the rest of the British 7th Armoured Division and 6th Australian Infantry Division arriving and deploying in support of Combe Force, the Italians have no option but to surrender.
==Battle of Giarabub==
==Battle of Giarabub==