GALLANT DEATH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 294, 11 December 1943, Page 6

GALLANT DEATH

TO RESCUE COMRADES

TREASURY ISLAND EPIC

(0.C.)

HAMILTON, this dav

The following letters from the Pacific area have brought to relatives details of the action in which Driver Roderick J. Fitzgerald, son of Mrs. M. Fitzgerald, of Hamilton East,-met his death gallantly in a successful effort to save the lives of comrades after four days and nights under fire from the Japanese. Lieu-tenant-Colonel Seaward, commanding the battalion, wrote to Mrs. Fitzgerald stating that "Fitz," as he was generally known, displayed courage and initiative that was inspiring to the rest of the party "to such an extent that I felt called upon especially to mention him in an official report to my senior officer." The writer added: "The battalion has lost a grand type of soldier, and men of his standing are indeed few and far between."

The story of the incident is contained in letters received in Hamilton from his comrades. Lance-Cor-poral W. J. A. McDell wrote: "Two of our platoons had an unenviable experience, being cut off and surrounded for five days. They were out of communication owing to the wireless set being shot up. After standing off many attacks, they at last reached the beach, where they could signal to our barges passing outside the reef. They had accomplished some excellent work without excessive cost, and managed to drag or carry off all their wounded with them. "An attempt to get them off the beach tinder heavy enemy fire from both sides failed at the cost of several brave men. They were eventually rescued in the dark, when the Japanese customarily are not keen on giving their positions away. '

Proved a I>ader in Action

"Unfortunately one who had been the moving spirit in getting the party back to the beach, though but a private, lost his life after he had reached the rescue barge and taken up a Bren gun to help cover the rescue of others. His work in keeping up the spirits of the wounded and weak, and getting them through country where even the Japanese had not penetrated, was really outstanding. He was Rod Fitzgerald, of Hamilton East. Though a driver in a transport platoon and not required to go into action where no trucks are possible, he asked to be allowed to go in the infantry. Never having held any rank, his ability as a leader in action was somewhat remarkable."

From other sources amplifying the foregoing it is learned that Driver Fitzgerald led the beleagured party at night to the beach through dense forest. Later he trudged through mangrove swamps, then he waded and swam nearly a quarter of a mile through coral outcrops and shark-in-fested water to a barge, where in a minute or two he gave information as to the whereabouts of the Japanese to enable the artillery to deal with them. Driver Fitzgerald grabbed the Bren gun and was operating it when a Japanese bullet killed him instantly. ■ Driver Fitzgerald was accompanied in his dash to the barge by two comrades, but both were shot by the enemy before they could reach the barge. Many hours later the party of over 50 New Zealanders were rescued wthout hindrance under cover of darkness.