Outpost Snipe

During 2nd Alamein, the 2nd battalion, Rifle Brigade, succesfully held the ground of isolated Outpost Snipe, in an epic stand of the new 6-pounder against the might of the panzerwaffe, with a sprinkling of italian armor.

Can anyone provide a good account of this action? Pitt gives a good description of it in the 2nd "Crucible", but some in-depth materiel, opinions, etc., would be greatly appreciated

 

Warlord
Some of us think in terms of three Alamein battles 1) in July when the retreat from the Gazala Gallop ended at the station - 2) the defensive battle at Alam El Halfa in the September and 3) - the attacking battle in the October '42 - so I awould assume that you are referring to the October battles as being # 2 battle and the heroic stand of the 2nd Rifles -

thought that Strawson might have had something to say about that - but can't find anything in his book- but will have another look around...
Cheers

 

Warlord
Some of us think in terms of three Alamein battles 1) in July when the retreat from the Gazala Gallop ended at the station - 2) the defensive battle at Alam El Halfa in the September and 3) - the attacking battle in the October '42 - so I awould assume that you are referring to the October battles as being # 2 battle and the heroic stand of the 2nd Rifles -

Yes Tom, after straightening up this whole deal of numbering the Alamein battles (I hope ) I'm referring to your #3 as Second Alamein, given that a lot of writers refer to it as such (at least Pitt does).

However, I do share your point of view about the IDing of the three battles. When Auchinleck first stopped Erwin's 29 panzers at the end of his over-stretched supply lines, around the Alamein box, should be First Alamein, not Alam Halfa.

 

Have you read this?
From Alamein: War Without Hate by Colin Smith , [isn't that the book I posted to you?]

Alamein - War without hate, Colin Smith, war correspondent, expert on military history

Next on queue, Moose. Reading both "Crucibles" has kept me busy for the last 3 months...

Will check when I get back home tonight.

 

Owen -
I have that book somewhere buried away - excellent account of that action - must dig deeper and find it for re-reading.....
Cheers

 

Have you read this?
From Alamein: War Without Hate by Colin Smith , [isn't that the book I posted to you?]

Alamein - War without hate, Colin Smith, war correspondent, expert on military history

There is an 11 page account of Snipe in this book. I have it and it's an excellent read. Richard Holmes in his 'War Walks' series for the BBC also covered Snipe in his programme on El Alamein with regards to Vic Turner VC. If you get the chance to see this then do so because it's a quite superb documentary.

 

Owen
Finally found "War without Hate" after some digging in my Library and so into the first chapter already.....don't really care if it rains all week end now...as it has for the past three - with snow as well ....
Cheers

 

Hi,
My father was a Sgt. with 51st. HD 301/127 Reg RA through N. Africa to Sicily among others before and after. I recently read a book "Last Stand!" by Bryan Perrett, among a number of battles of various eras No. 8 is "The Defence of Outpost Snipe"
This occured 27 Oct 1942 and was an intense Anti Tank battle. A small photograph shows 8 men, the title names Major Thomas Bird, head bandaged {so pictured soon after the event} and the Officers and senior NCOs of the 2nd. Rifle Brigade's Anti Tank Company. I think that 3 from right is my father who I am sure would have been else where at the time of this action. The only reference is IWM, I have scanned it but the results will not allow me to enlarge it from such a small original. I have not included the scan here as I do not have copyright. Does anyone know of this book / event / picture / people, The event was covered by The Crusader, NPaper of the 8th Army. How I would go about requesting a copy from IWarMuseum. I hope I do not offend anyone if this is their father or grand father just indicate an eyetest may be due.

 

3mileSnipper,

Not my area really, but I'm sure others more knowledgeable will be along. I'll add the photo you mentioned as an attachment. Did Perrett's book give the IWM photo number. If so you may be able to access it at the IWM site using the search function? It would be just a matter of following through on the steps to purchase either a digital image or print.

Goodluck

 

3MS,

In the RB's post-war summary, the man third from the right is identified as Sergt. Hine, M.M. of 2 RB. (Sorry)

The full list, L-R, is:
Sergt. Avris, Sergt. Miles, M.M., Lieut. J. B. D. Irwin, M.C., Major T. A. Bird, D.S.O., M.C., Lieut. A .B. Holt Wilson, M.C., Sergt. Hine, M.M., Sergt. Calistan, D.C.M., M.M., Rfn. Chard, D.C.M.

 

There was no reference numbers given with the photograph just IWM but I think 'idler' has sorted out the true identity as Sergt. Hine M.M. Thanks for the replies. I know where to come for instant help now.

 

C.E. Lucas Phillips has a very good account of the epic fight for Snipe in his Alamein (Pan Books, 1965). Lucas Phillips was a wartime anti-tank officer himself (CO, Northumberland Hussars I think) so he was well suited to write about one of the war's finest anti-tank actions.

 

Haven't seen this reported elsewhere on this site. Death of Major Tom Bird, DSO MC*
Major Tom Bird DSO, MC, hero of Alamein and Desert War

 

From 29 Dec 2019

"Was the British 6 pdr ATG any good? How did it fare when attacked by the might of the Wehrmacht's panzers? In 1942, both sides found out in the famous action at codename 'Snipe' during the battle of El Alamein."

 

Does anyone know of an accurate map of where snipe is? Other than 2.4 km sw of kidney ridge etc

 

Images from The Rifle Brigade 1939-1945 by Major RHWS Hastings (Gale & Polden, 1950).

 

This is a topographic map of the region, https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/north_africa/txu-oclc-6949452-nh35-8.jpg, you may be able to place Snipe.

When you look at the map, find El Wishka (on Longitude 87), this is Point 30, move to the left and slightly up is Point 33, just to the south of this is a rise indicated by an elevation line with 30 on it, this is Kidney Ridge. Snipe would be between this and the next elevation line to the south.

 

Thanks very much again bfbsm! What a legend!

 

Do you mean there being kidney ridge?