North Africa
5th Indian Division moved to Cairo in June 1941 and then Iraq in August, returning to Egypt in October more or less coincidental with Russell's promotion to brigadier and assuming command of Indian 4th Infantry Division's Indian 5th Infantry Brigade, part of XIII Corps in the newly created Eighth Army.
On 18 November 1941 Eighth Army launched Operation Crusader. Initially Russell's brigade, short of transport, was delegated to protect lines of communication. By 26 November it was moving to the front. By mid December the brigade was involved in intense fighting against the armour of Rommel's Afrika Korps at Alem Hamsa where the 1st Buffs were destroyed as a fighting unit and were temporarily replaced by 1st battalion 6th Rajputana Rifles.
In March 1942 4th Indian Division was dispersed and the brigade was sent to Palestine but hastilly summoned back to the western desert after Rommel's breakthrough at the Battle of Gazala. Initially attached to 5th Indian Division, the brigade was transferred to Indian 10th Infantry Division as it withdrew from Libya to the defensive position at Mersa Matruh in Egypt. On 28 June the brigade found its line of withdrawal from Metrsa Matruh cut and was forced to break out southwards into the desert in small parties before turning east and reforming behind the defensive position at El Alamein. For his leadership of the brigade in the period from November 1941 to April 1942 Russell was awarded in September 1942 the DSO.
Having reorganised, the brigade was once more attached to 5th Indian Division and during mid July fought in the Battles of Ruweisat Ridge, part of series of engagements now called the First Battle of El Alamein. The brigade continued to hold positions on or near the Ruweisat Ridge up to November and the Second Battle of El Alamein. By this time 5th Indian Division had been relieved and the brigade was once more part of 4th Indian Division. For his services between May and October Russell was mentioned in despatches.
4th Indian Division's initial role in the battle was to make diversionary displays from Ruweisat Ridge while the main offensive went in to the north. In early November 2nd New Zealand Division had made a salient into the Axis lines and 5th Indian Brigade were attached to the exhausted 51st (Highland) Infantry Division to complete the breakthrough. By dawn on 4 November the brigade had secured its objectives opening the way for the British armour.
Read more about this topic: Dudley Russell, World War II
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