for a withdrawal of XIII Corps to Fuka but it is unclear if the 2nd New Zealand Division received them. The elements of the division continued east to El Alamein. Over the three days of fighting the New Zealanders had suffered some 800 casualties, including their commanding officer but almost 10,000 New Zealanders got away. Due to a communication error, Auchinleck's order to withdraw did not reach Holmes until early in the morning of 28 June. Through the night, X Corps counter-attacked to the south to take the pressure off Gott, not realising that XIII Corps had already gone. A short discussion was held between Holmes and Auchinleck, in which Holmes decided that he could remain and hold on to the fortress as long as possible, attack eastwards on the coast road and fight through the 90th Light Division or break out in the night to the south. Auchinleck made it clear that X Corps was not to attempt to hold out in its defensive positions and he thought there was no point to try to fight east along the coast road. He ordered Holmes to divide his force into columns and break out to the south. They were to continue on for a few miles before turning east to make their way to El Alamein. That night X Corps assembled in small columns and broke out to the south. The had moved on, leaving only the Italians and the 90th Light Division to invest Matruh. Fierce engagements primarily with Italian forces occurred as they drove through. One of the columns picked a path that approached the command section. Rommel's was engaged, and the staff officers themselves had to take up arms. After a time Rommel moved his headquarters south and away from the fighting. The 29th Indian Infantry Brigade arrived at the regrouping point at Fuka late in the afternoon of 28 June. Arriving soon after was the 21st Panzer Division. The commander of the brigade had assembled transport in case a quick withdrawal was necessary but the assault of 21st Panzer came too rapidly and the brigade was overrun and destroyed. Early on the morning of 29 June, the 90th Light Division and Italian 133rd Armoured Division "Littorio" encircled Mersah Matruh. The 10th Indian Division tried to break out on the night of 28 June but was repulsed by "Littorio". The Mersa Matruh positions had been bombarded by