BRAVE SOLDIERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 307, 29 December 1942, Page 2

BRAVE SOLDIERS

IN LIBYAN BATTLE

AWARDS FOR FINE WORK

N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent CAIRO, Dec. 24.

The citation in connection with the award of the Military Medal to Lance-Corporal J. P. Scanlan states that Lance-Corporal Scanlan was a signaller attached to a South Island battalion and was with a cable-laying party behind his company in the attack on Mityria Ridge on the night of October 26-27. When he lost communication with battalion headquarters he went forward under intense fire, located his company and passed orders to his company commander. During the whole night he was on duty on the telephone, and disregarded his own safety. He also acted as forward observation post for mortars and machine-guns. His cheerfulness in action was infectious and a source of confidence. The citation in connection with the award of the Military Medal to Private J. A. Black (Auckland) says he was range-taker of a machine-gun platoon at Mityria Ridge on October 24. He took up an exposed position in a derelict tank in a minefield 150 yards in front of his guns, where he had a complete view of the enemy. Despite intense shelling and smali arms fire he remained at his post and continued to give accurate ranges throughout the day. By his fortitude and the accuracy with which his ranges were given his platoon was enabled to inflict heavy casualties. Next night Private Black lighted gaps in the minefield, boarded tanks and guided the tanks and infantry to forward positions.