MAORIS IN ACTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 41, 28 November 1941, Page 5

MAORIS IN ACTION

SPECTACULAR ATTACK MADE.

MORTARS AND HAND GRENADES. THE CAPTURE OF SOLLUM. (From the Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, Nov. 27. The cries of Maori hakas broke through the dawn as the Maori battalion of the New Zealand Division swarmed to a spectacular attack near Solium on Sunday morning, under heavy machine-gun, anti-tank and artillery fire. A daring attack was launched and Solium is now without water, for the pipeline to it was cut by the New Zealanders fqur days ago. Heavy artillery fire from Hellfire Pass continues, but the Maoris refuse to budge and the Germans are shelling their own troops who are cut off in Solium township, on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Screened by British tanks, the Maoris moved up under cover of a pitch black night, through the ruins of the old fort of Capuzzo, twice previously held by British and Imperial troops, and now' held by the New Zealanders. In front was a squadron of tanks paving the way for the main attack. When the first rays of dawn started to filter through the sky, the tanks made a sortie toward the strongly-de-fended barracks overlooking Solium, which nestles in a bay at the foot of the hills. Heavy German artillery at Hellfire Pass laid down a solid barrage and forced the tanks to withdraw but not before they had routed several small German machine-gun posts in the barracks. Back went the tanks to attack again, but they were again driven off by the German artillery. When within a mile of the hill of Solium barracks the Maoris debussed and prepared for the main attack. Again our, tanks withdrew to let the Maoris through and in the first grey light of dawn, the Maoris, with bayonets fixed, and led by the commanding officer of the Maori Battalion, rushed to the swift and demoralising attack. It was not a bayonet charge. Mortars and hand grenades were the chief weapons of attack in the face, of the artillery barrage from Hellfire Pass, and machine-gun, rifle and anti-tank fire from the barracks. Germans Surrender. The Maoris pressed on and the Germans continued firing on them until they w r ere at the very Avails of the barracks. Then they threw up their hands in Many scattered in confusion and were chased' 1 doAvn the road into Solium township, terrified by the blood-curdling yells of the Maoris. Most of the solid fighting took place on the road leading from the barracks doAvn into the township. It was short and. desperate while it lasted. When the Germans realised that they Avere up against the inspired Maoris avlio knew no fear they withdrew from the barracks and retreated smartly down the road. On and on Avent the Maoris until they had driven the enemy from the valuable high ground doAvn into the township below.

The prisoners captured in the barracks by the Maoris total close- on 150 Germans and Italians.

On the outskirts of Solium I stood watching the bombardment of the township from Hellfire Pass, all the old German ruthlessness Avas again displayed, for he was shelling his own men in Solium as well as the Maoris. Back came the Maoris, walking wounded, laughing and triumphant. One youhg Maori with four German ma-chine-gun bu\iets in his arm Avas impatient to have his wounds dressed and get back into the fray. The Maoris were crouched against the Avails of the barracks sheltering from each burst of shellfire. Up and down the shelled CapuzzoSollum road Maori dispatch riders and trucks, raced all morning. It was amazing that none was hit, for shells were bursting on the roadway all the time. Out of the barracks marched a column of grey and khaki-clad Italian and German prisoners, escorted by dozen Maoris with bayonets fixed. DoAvn the road they marched and into Capuzzo. Indian Troops’ Capture. While the New Zealanders have been fighting desperate actions up near the coast and a feAV miles inland the Indian troops have been engaged in a determined effort to take Libyan Omar, on the Libyan side of the border, and Sidi Omar, on the Egyptian side. Libyan Omar fell to the Indians two days ago. Both Omars were strongly defended by Italians. Sidi Omar continues to hold out in the face of a severe Indian onslaught but the latest reports indicate that it is uoav near breaking point. Sidi Omar has been heavily bombed by the Royal Air Force. Further lightning attacks by New Zealanders are at present being carried out but the results of the- actions will not be known for a little time yet. While I have been writing this dispatch an enemy reconnaissance plane circled overhead. We knew what to expect. A feAV minutes later heavy German* artillery fire started to crash around us. Our batteries have opened up in retaliation and uoav an artillery duel is iu progress. Twice I have had to dive into a slit trench when things became a little too hot. Away in the distance is the drone of Royal Air Force planes. They come closer and can now be recognised, much to our relief. It is a squadron of bombers going over to deal with the German artillery. There should be a little peace and quiet soon,. Avlien the Royal Air Force have finished their job.