By 13:45 Wiggin had advanced about 1 mile (1.6 km) against very strong opposition, but soon afterwards he saw a commotion among the camels at Katia; the tents in the camp were burning and he decided that the best option was to fall back to Bir el Hamisah.
Klokken 13.45 var Wiggin rykket omkring 1,5 km frem mod kraftig modstand, men snart efter så han bevægelse blandt kamelerne ved Katia; teltene i lejren var i brand og han besluttede, at det klogeste var at falde tilbage til Bir el Hamisah.