Longstop Hill finally taken

23rd April 1943: More gallantry in hilltop fighting as British 1st Army take the features that had halted their advance back in December

Guns of 502 Battery, 138 Field Regiment are seen in action between Chaouach and Toukabeur, near Longstop Hill. Between 7.45 a.m. and midnight on 22 April 1943, First Army artillery put over a strong barrage on enemy targets around Heidous, Longstop Hill and Tangoucha, as a prelude to infantry assaults on these German strongholds. An electrical storm was in progress at the time

Longstop Hill on Christmas Day 1942. Sergeant Sumner of the Coldstream Guards captured this Machine gun with the use of a Tommy Gun. When he reported to his company's commander, he was told to take the gun to a forward slope (which was being heavily machine-gunned by the enemy) with the object of keeping down enemy fire. Sergeant Sumner carried out his instructions but after a few rounds had been fired the gun jammed and he persuaded two German prisoners to get it into action again. This came at a very opportune moment as the Guards were running short of ammunition and the gun and its 3000 rounds were of great assistance. Despite three attacks the dominant feature could not be held.