DARING EXPLOIT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 303, 23 December 1941, Page 3

DARING EXPLOIT

THROUGH NAZI LINES SUPPLY CONVOY'S VENTURE tN.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, December 20. From the multitude of daring exploits of New Zealanders in Cyrenaica emerges that of a senior officer, late -of the New Zealand Engineers, who took charge of a supply convoy, bringing it unscathed through the midst of the German lines at a crucial point in the Sidi Rezegh battle. It was after General Rommel's eastward tank sally that brought the enemy right to the frontier, seriously threatening the British communications.

Supplies were fairly urgently needed and were thus doubly welcome. For the long desert journey the convoy was protected by several tanks and South African armoured cars. Skilful manoeuvring enabled them to dodge all trouble. Eventually on the night when the Germans captured the New Zealand main dressing station at Gambut, the convoy slipped boldly through the enemy to the British lines. Morning found them creeping down the long escarpment towards Sidi Rezegh, clearly marked against the skyline.

Their troubles were not over. A long-range gun with which the Germans had harried the battlefield from the coast considered the convoy a sitting shot. With shells bursting around them the long line of New Zealand vehicles slid unhurriedly to a wadi below without sustaining a single casualty or any damage. Here, out of sight of enemy outposts the priceless supplies were unloaded, making a valuable contribution to the eventual success of the battle.