Enemy behaviour on 18 December 1941:

Enemy advanced today on broad front towards the west. With the Polish Brigade on the right, and 5 New Zealand Brigade advancing on the left of the Via Balbia, he reached the area of Martuba.

The Indian Division on the left of these reached the track Mechili – Derna about 25km south of Derna, 7 Armoured Division the area Mechili and east of it.

An enemy tank column (probably 7 Armoured Brigade) was confirmed by aerial reconnaissance to be on the march from B. Tengeder to the west.