RUWEISAT RIDGE (FIRST BATTLE OF EL ALAMEIN)
***From the 2002 Movie "El Alamein - La Linea del Fuoco" ***

"On 14 July, the New Zealand 2nd Infantry attacked two under-strength Italian divisions (the Brescia and Pavia) on western Ruweisat Ridge, but without tanks they could not remove the Italians, and were eventually driven back by the arriving 15th Panzer Division. At Deir un Khawaber, New Zealand infantry supported by Bren Gun Carriers penetrated the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment's defenses before being driven off by Italian tanks. On 21 July, Italian infantry still occupied the western spur of Ruweisat Ridge. Two Allied infantry divisions, supported by a British armored division attempted to push them off, but counter-attacking Italian infantry and tanks sent New Zealand troops back to their own lines. A second attack the next day was aborted by Italian artillery fire—but an Italian counterattack was similarly dispersed by New Zealand artillery. British tanks supported the New Zealanders, but withdrew after losing several tanks to Italian fire. By nightfall of 22 July, the New Zealand infantry broke contact with the Italians, and left them in possession of the western spur of Ruweisat Ridge." (Regio Esercito: The Italian Royal Army in Mussolini's Wars, 1935-1943, Patrick Cloutier, pp. 85-86, Lulu Press, 2013)

"While the attacking brigades had been able to cut large gaps through the defences held y the Italian infantry, they had not been able to subdue all the resistance. Not surprisingly, most of the smaller outposts and defended localities had fallen easily but some of the larger posts had been bypassed during the night. The outposts which remained contained substantial number of anti-tank guns, machine guns and infantry. When daylight came, these posts were able to cover the area south of the ridge by fire and shot up any trucks foolhardy enough to drive forward." (Pendulum Of War: Three Battles at El Alamein, Niall Barr, p. 131, Random House, 2010)

"On the right, Indian 5th Division (XXX Corps) attacked Point 64 on the centre of the feature, the New Zealand Division (XIII Corps) was on the left attacking Point 63 at the western end of the ridge and the 1st Armoured Division gave support along the line of the inter-corps boundary. The night attack was preceded by Albacore aircraft dropping flares and fighter-bombers strafing the enemy lines. At first both divisions made good progress as they fought their way through the Italian Brescia and Pavia Divisions who were holding the ridge. The advance slowed down when they met extensive minefields and there was some loss of cohesion when the New Zealanders were attacked by tanks from 8th Panzer Regiment of 15th Panzer Division and lost 350 prisoners." (El Alamein 1942: The Turning of the Tide, Ken Ford, p. 42, Osprey Publishing, 2005)

Radio Rome:

“The fighting which assumed particular tenacity has ended in favour of the Axis. The enemy has been everywhere repelled with counter-attacks and has sustained grave losses in men and materiel. Eight hundred prisoners, mainly New Zealanders, and Indians have fallen into our hands and 130 tanks were destroyed on the field. During that action the German Afrika Korps and the Italian Brescia and Trieste divisions particularly distinguished themselves.” ([ Ссылка ] Many Of These Men Resisted To The Last Bullet)

"A mixed German-Italian combat team held on and proved that not all Italians had lost the will to fight. Many of these men resisted to the last bullet. Their heroic stand gave Rommel time to concentrate his Afrika Korps against the 23rd Armoured Brigade." (Rommel's Desert War: The Life and Death of the Afrika Korps, Samuel W. Mitcham, p. 122, Stackpole Books, 2007)

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel:

“The Italians were willing, unselfish and good comrades in the front line. There can be no disputing that the achievement of all the Italian units, especially the motorized elements, far outstripped any action of the Italian Army for 100 years. Many Italian generals and officers earned our respect as men as well as soldiers.” ([ Ссылка ] Many Of These Men Resisted To The Last Bullet)

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