Wrecked Semovente assault gun

During the battle of Sidi N'sir, while Axis armour approached the British positions, this Italian "Semovente" assault gun apparently encountered a mine. The suspension on its right side was damaged. At least two of these vehicles were pushed off the road and abandoned here. In April 1943 Allied forces captured the area. This colour photo was then taken by the American photographer Eliot Elisofon.

A photo of the German officers during the battle shows another Semovente on the road only 100 meters behind this spot. Italian and German vehicles were mixed in the battle group. Another photo of this abandoned Semovente exists.

This photo, courtesy of Mr. Mustapha Ben Rejeb, was taken 50 meters ahead of the Semovente in the year 2016. It shows that the Germans were moving down from high ground as they approached the British. The Sidi N'sir station is 4km ahead.