1st July 1942 – DEIR EL SHEIN

I can’t recall exactly when but, sometime before my father died on 5th December 1998 and whilst he was still mobile (possibly in the 1980’s or 1990’s?), I vaguely recall asking him if he would like to visit the Western Desert on one of the Tours that were becoming popular for veterans and families. I’m not sure how he responded but, rather sadly, the suggestion never led to anything and I’m not sure whether he just couldn’t face that period in his life or, more likely, he just didn’t need to re-visit it.

Dad had experienced the most extraordinary life and this brief period of trauma between 1939 and 1945 (aged 23 to 29) was probably best transcribed to history. At the time I really wasn’t at all sure where I had hoped to take him, and on which tour of the Western Desert Campain he might associate himself with. Other than vague hints of El Alamein and possibly Mersah Matruh?

So, now that I’ve started this search for all these needles strewn all over these many haystacks that I am encountering, it has come as a bit of a relief that I am starting to find a few clues. None more so than the extraordinary amount of information being gathered by hundreds, if not thousands, of enthusiasts who all seem to have an amazing amount of interest and enthusiasm for researching and clarifying every minute detail of the events of World War II. Appropriately enough the information is being gathered under the website heading of WW2Talk.

The major piece of work that has, and is continuing, to provide the most fulfilling reading has come from a ‘Thread’ entitled – Deir el Shein – July 1942. Essentially this information has been extracted from the Battalion Diary of the 4/11th Sikh Regiment (WO169/773) concerning an action in which the 18th Indian Infantry Brigade was overrun by German forces on 1st July 1942 at the beginning of the First Battle of Alamein.

On 28th August 2023 I had been astonished to read two references to my father in a Post I had called “Another piece of the Jigsaw“. But I had failed to continue reading this ‘Thread’, as I was probably in shock. But a little down the track and I’m once again scrolling through this incredible transcription of the Diary and I have one of those moments where the hair stands up on the back of your neck. The diary entry for 30 June 1942 DEIR SHEIN is providing details about the location of a number of military units in “BOXES”, including a New Zealand Division. But I’m afraid my limited military knowledge is not making this an easy read, although in this “BOX” at Deir el Shein there is:-

“2/5 Essex, 4/11 Sikh, 2/3 Gurkha Rifles, 66 Field Coy S & M, 4 medium M.G. manned by the Cheshires, 7 Matilda tanks manned by scratch crews from 42 R.T.R. while the arty (sic) consisted of 18 (?) 25 pdrs manned by 121 Field Regt & 79 Field Regt, approx 20 2 pdr A/Tk guns manned by unit’s, South Africans & some of the WELSH Regt also 16 (?) 6 pdr A/Tk guns manned by ? In addition of course was an ADS from 32 Field Ambulance & some S.A. sappers with compressors.”

Yes it says 4/11 Sikh. But I already knew that. It’s their War Diary! What comes next blows me away! Again!

Does that say that at midnight of 30th June 1942 my Dad was listed as a British Officer present with the Battalion at Deir el Shein? But the comment associated with the map below that one researcher provides brings a certain chill to proceedings.

“Begs the question of who put 18th Indian Brigade in that position? Presumably Willoughby Norrie, XXX Corps commander. Useful map showing the brigade out on a limb. Don’t quite understand the thinking of defending a depression rather than the high ground.“

As I start to read on I’m recalling a rather famous quote from a wonderful Harry Potter movie….
“BUCKLE UP, WE’RE IN FOR A BUMPY RIDE!!!”