This is a primary source article by a reporter who rode in the armored vehicles of the British Army during the Libyan campaign of 1942:
"Suddenly the German column turned in the direction of our attack. We could see the tiny flashed of enemy guns. Behind the German tanks were field and antitank guns...At 1000 yards all hell broke loose. The German tanks were remaining almost stationary, relying on heavy armament and fire power. The faster British tanks were maneuvering in to almost point-blank range. It seemed incredible that in the melee either side could know whom or what they were firing at. The best I could do was identify the burning tanks: white smoke for the petrol-driven British - black smoke for the Diesel oil of the German tanks. There was plenty of both."
Six months earlier, this same journalist witnessed the surrender of France - you can read about that here.