Excerpt from Early Battles of The Eighth Army

This passage describes the retreat of the New Zealand Division and the outcome of the battle.

Early on 1 December, the Germans continued their advance, driving the New Zealanders from Belhamed also. Most of Freyberg's transport vehicles took refuge in Tobruk, the defenders of which were now once more cut off from the main body of Eighth Army. At this point the British tanks finally arrived on the scene but after covering a New Zealand retreat to Zaafran, the British armour returned to its former position south-east of Sidi Rezegh. Freyberg's artillery, however, was able to hold off a further thrust by 15th Panzer, while 21st Panzer, which could have blocked his line of retreat, obligingly chose instead to move westward out of the way. The New Zealanders fell back towards the frontier in good order.

"It seemed as though Rommel had achieved another success. In reality he had brought his army to the brink of ruin. The New Zealanders had not been overcome easily. Rommel had suffered further savage losses and his men were now mentally and physically exhausted. Even those New Zealanders who had been taken prisoner would report later that their captors were 'practically sleepwalkers' who showed no sign of elation."

On 7 December Rommel finally acknowledged defeat. The bulk of his forces he ordered back to a new line running south of Gazala which had been fortified by the Italians earlier in the year.

General Bernard Freyberg, commander of 2 NZ Division, later wrote about this battle:

"[The 24th] Battalion fought a memorable Battle at Sidi Rezegh, in November 1941. I have always looked on that campaign as the highlight of the New Zealand forces in this war."

When the survivors of Sidi Rezegh arrived back at their old lines at Baggush they were joined by the portion of the battalion left behind at Sidi Haneish - a group so chosen that it might form the nucleus of a new battalion in the event of disaster. Under the circumstances this had proved to be page 31a wise precaution. The LOB (Left Out of Battle) personnel, as they were termed, were horrified to discover how many of their comrades were missing, for till now they had not been aware of the extent of the losses. Reinforcements of both officers and men began to arrive even while casualty lists were still being compiled.