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Enemy tanks broke through South of “ARIETE” Division. “ARIETE” thus surrounded, located 5kms northwest of Bir-el-Abd. “ARIETE” tanks keep fighting!”
4th November 1942: last message broadcasted by surrounded and overpowered Ariete Armoured Division few surviving tanks.
Here is a brief description of events that preceded and led "ARIETE" Division to its fate:
After a refitting period, the “ARIETE”was deployed in reserve in the south, backing up Italian X Corps (17th “PAVIA” Infantry Division and 185th “FOLGORE” Paratroops Division) when Montgomery launched his offensive at El Alamein. Held back as the Army reserve, it was then moved northwards during the night of 3rd Nov, to take part in the covering action aimed at allowing the disengagement of Deutsch-Italienisch Panzerarmee on the following day. It fought bravely but it could only consciously immolate the whole of its about 120 obsolete tanks and semoventi which were destroyed, gaining once again the praise of both enemies and allies.
The “ARIETE” performed its last, epic stand around Tell El Aqqaqir (4th November 1942), where the 7th Armored Division, equipped with SHERMAN and GRANT tanks, far superior to the poor M13/40 and M14/41 Italian tanks - with the exception of the handful of 75mm gun-equipped semoventi - , broke through the Axis lines.
On 4th November at about 15:30, "ARIETE" last message was trasmitted.
