The Irish Brigade spent the first few days of April 1943 preparing for their part in a coordinated 78th Division assault on German positions in the mountains north of the Beja to Medjez-el-Bab road. This would be the first time that the division had gone into action as a complete formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The brigade\u2019s specific objective on this occasion was the 1,400 foot Djebel Mahdi, and to achieve this, along with the 2nd Bn Hampshire Regiment, their ranks were further supplemented by 16th Durham Light Infantry, who were on loan from 46th Infantry Division. The attack was timed for the early morning of 7th April and the start of the action was heralded by the firing of 150 guns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6 Innisks led the attack but in the course of providing close personal support to C Company, who had come under heavy fire, the battalion\u2019s CO, Lt-Col Allen, was killed. Despite signs of a German counter attack, the Skins secured a foothold on the Djebel. 1 RIrF, led by their C and D Companies. then passed through 6 Innisks\u2019 forward positions and, by nightfall, were able to fully consolidate the Irish Brigade\u2019s positions on Djebel Mahdi. On the brigade\u2019s right hand side, both 11 Brigade and 36 Brigade had also been successful in their assaults. Three days later, the brigade was ordered to advance a further five miles to take Djebel Guernat (Guerinat), and with the support of tanks from the North Irish Horse quickly secured their aims. The Oued Zarga to Medjez-el-Bab road was now completely clear of German forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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