 A heavy bombardment had been made on known enemy positions, but the information was sketchy and numerous elements of the German battle group survived, including SS and Fallschirmjäger troops.The Germans allowed the British tanks to advance along the road while they waited for the lead elements to move adjacent to the hidden as they were in the wooded areas to the left of the road.They then opened up with anti-tank guns knocked out seven lead tanks, so Lieutenant–Colonel Vandeleur, called in airstrikes from rocket-firing Typhoons.