Churchill tank crossing Oued Beja

This image is from a newsreel clip showing Churchill tanks on the way to Kzar Mezouar on 27th February 1943. British forces are racing to set up a defensive line there, before Kampfgruppe Lang arrives from its victory at Sidi N'sir. The goal of the German attack is the town of Beja, which is visible behind the tanks. Already it has been bombed by the Luftwaffe. This place is the bridge over the Oued Beja on route P11.

The Hunt's Gap valley confines the German tanks to a single road, which ends at Kzar Mezouar. If the Germans pass that place, they will be able to spread their forces out. This is the last chance to stop them, so these tanks have been driving through the night to get here. One of these Churchills will knock out a Tiger this same day, but the real tank battle will begin on the 28th.

This bridge no longer exists, but it remained in existence until at least 2002 as this satellite image shows.