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Hello, and thank you for listening to the history of World War II podcast, episode 385, The Cultura.

Last time, the Battle of Gazala had gotten underway two days previous on May 26, 1942, and thus far both sides had lost more tanks than expected, at least this early on in the battle.

Still, night had come, and both sides had made their plans for the next day.

The Commonwealth forces believed they had stopped Rommel by stopping and turning back the 90th light division from reaching a position just south of Tobruk, but the desert fox had already changed his focus to one clearing two paths in the large minefield in the center in southern section of the defensive line, and to order in his panzers to head north to cut off the coastal road.

In short, Rommel wasn't just going for Tobruk, he wanted the 8th army trapped and then destroyed, which would leave the road to Egypt open.

As the sun rose on May 28, the 21st Panzer Division moved northward, and allowing Rommel to click at least one thing off of his list of that days objectives, the 21st did manage to reach the defensive box called Commonwealth Keep.

Just below the Solaroescartment, or Slob, itself just below the coastal road.

With this done, soon the 21st Panzer was on the height and shelling any allied movement along the road, even better with their additional height relative to the area around them trying to attack the panzers now, was nigh on impossible.

As for the Commonwealth Keep, as it was in part to hold supplies and help keep an eye on the coast road, most of its mines and weapons had been pointing north when the Germans came.

They wisely rushed in before all the guns of the Keep could be brought to bear.

Now those allied forces were retreating to whatever friendly position was nearest them.

But the 21st Panzer local victory was to be the high water mark of the day for Rommel. During the same time, 15th Panzer was unable to travel north as its fuel situation had yet to be addressed.

Even worse, what fuel the 15th had was now needed to move around to get into a better position as they were set upon by the 22nd Armored Brigade Group coming out of the east.

Yet it was worse for the 90th Light Division. First, it had been denied entry into El Abden due south of Tobruk after being bloodied.

But now that it was on its way back to Beer El Harmat to shield Rommel and his supplies, namely fuel, the 4th Armored Brigade gave chase.

The 4th Brigade was operating at the most southern part of this battle.

As both sides, the Chaser and the Chacy had enough fuel for the day, this was basically a race.

But the Allied Brigade had caused enough damage with fortuitous artillery shots that the 90th Light African Division had to stop.

And it was only 8 miles away from Rommel. And what did they do? They circled the wagons. In this case, literally, with their anti-tank guns and artillery on the outer ring protecting all within.

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