At three o'clock the withdrawal began, section by section, through the woods to the west, and and along the edge of the
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woods parallel to the main road. To cover the withdrawal the tanks fired Besa (7) and smoke on to the village, artillery
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fired all DFs (8) intense and a composite platoon of Able and Charlie Companies remained in position, as did the Vickers gunners.
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As the Battalion was withdrawing a Battalion of Coldstream Guards (9) had been rushed into position a few miles to the rear and the area chosen for reforming was just behind them. The 2i/c, Major Hefford, assumed command of the Battalion, the CO having been wounded by shrapnel earlier in the day, and by a quarter-past-six at night, 494 men had reported in.
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During the Sedjenane action, the total casualties were 21 killed, 98 missing, and 46 wounded.
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Notes:
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1) The positions the 6th Lincs originally took over on 23/2/43 were the old 16 DLI positions.
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2) This was the final disastrous attack put in by 16 DLI at dawn on the 2/3/43.
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3) The FOO (Forward Observation Officer) was Captain Harry Craggs MC of the 70th Field Regiment. To read his fascinating eyewitness account of the action, click here.
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4) The several Churchill tanks involved were of C Squadron, the North Irish Horse. Click here to read their perpective on the action.
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5) Me: the Messershmitt Bf 109 single-seat fighter.
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6) RAP: the Regimental Aid Post.
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7) Besa: the Besa was the standard British Army tank machine-gun in WW2, two were fitted to the Churchill tank, one coaxial in the turret and one in the hull.
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8) DF: Defensive Fire.
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9) This was the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards
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