FINE LEADERSHIP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 230, 29 September 1942, Page 4

FINE LEADERSHIP

IN DEFENCE OF EGYPT

CORPORA lAS EXPLOIT

N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent

CAIRO, Sept. 26

Citations to the 16 immediate awards for gallantry of New Zealanders in the defence of Egypt are as follows:—

Under the direction of Major Anderson, 4000 mines were rapidly laid at Minqar Qaim on June 27. In spite of intense enemy shelling, Major Anderson encouraged his men and he. himself, fused the mines. When mines had to be laid near a burning ammunition truck. Major Anderson, showing complete disregard of his own safety, carried them to the area.

Skilful handling of an artillery battery won for Major Lambourn his Distinguished Service Order. A number of German tanks engaged the battery and attempted an outflanking movement, but Major Lambourn skilfully "leap-frogged" a troop back to a rear position, from which the forward troops were covered by fire and withdrawn. Major Lambourn's clever manoeuvring extricated the whole battery without loss.

Second-Lieutenant Horrocks has displayed the highest degree of courage and leadership. At Bir Khalda on June 27, when his unit was bombed, he collected and attended the wounded, in spite of burning ammunition trucks near by.

Major Beyer led his company in two successive bayonet and bomb assaults on enemy strong points in the El Mireir depression on the night of July 21. Seriously wounded after the second attack, he refused assistance until his company was reorganised and ready to continue the advance. His award was given for outstanding leadership and devotion to duty.

Lieutenant Trounson led a night patrol six miles beyond his unit outpost and located four heavy tractordrawn guns. He and his party ; rushed one and the Italian crew took refuge under a tractor, where they were bombed and machine-gunned. Under heavy fire, Lieutenant Trounson withdrew his patrol and led it to safety.

From the action which won for Sergeant Keith Elliott. New Zealand's fifth Victoria Cross of this war, comes another decoration to a member of his platoon—Corporal R. F Garmonsway, of the Wellington battalion, who Has been awarded the D.C.M. Corporal Garmonsway was the man to whom tribute was p?dd by the new Victoria Cross winner when he modestly disclaimed his own part in the action, saying, "The corporal was the chap who should have got this."

The story of Corporal Garmonsway's exploit is almost as thrilling as that which won for Sergeant Elliott the Empire's highest mifttarv award. His platoon evaded capture by enemy tanks at Ruweisak Ridge on July 15. He led a section of four men in an attack on a machine-gun post over 400 yards in the face of intense fire. He and his section captured three machine-guns, one anti-tank rifle, one German and twtf Italian officers, one German sergeant and about 60 other ranks without a-i c&sualty in his section.