On turn five, new Crusader III tanks entered the battle, while one group of surviving Crusader IIs swung around the exposed left flank of my panzers.
The Axis forces received a lucky break when three Stuka dive-bombers attacked the British 25lb guns on the ridge, killing several gun crews.
My assault guns advanced and attacked the newest threat, disabling one Crusader III. The M13 platoon has suffered several casualties and is only able to force one Crusader III crew to bail out. My Pz IIIs on the left flank hold their position in order to get a full rate of fire when they attack and score two hits, forcing a Crusader II crew to bail out. However, they fail their stormtrooper skill test and are unable to retreat, leaving their left flank exposed.
On the far right flank, Axis armored cars charge past the Valentine II platoon and engage the dug-in infantry, killing many soldiers and destroying the Bofors guns.
The Crusader IIs on my left flank fire on the weak side-armor of my leftmost Pz III platoon, with devastating effect. One entire platoon is defeated, when two tanks are destroyed and one crew bails out.