TWENTY TANKS CAPTURED

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23508, 10 December 1941, Page 8

TWENTY TANKS CAPTURED

EXPLOIT BY FOUR MEN GERMANS SURRENDERED WITHOUT FIGHTING (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, December 8. Here is the story of German morale —the kind of story that will emerge In hundreds from this war wherever we meet the enemy on something like equal terms, says a dispatch from the western sector, dated November 24. \ Yesterday afternoon, as New Zealand Infantrymen advanced to battle, an artillery observer keeping pace with the 1 attack noticed a cluster of 20 tanks in the lee v of a slight rise in the desert. They certainly were not part of the attacking force, so he asked his commander: . "Do you think we should open on them?" The colonel deliberated, and replied: "Keep an eye on them and see what they do.” The observing officer turned his attention back to the battle; but as he drew closer still to the stationary tanks, his curiosity increased. Armed only with a "Tommy” gun, and accompanied by only three men, he walked down among them. There was a German panzer soldier, complete with the skull and cross- » bones lapel badges which distinguish these allegedly fearless German troops, in every tank. But not a shot was fired. The Germans gave themselves up with their hands in the air. Covered by a platoon of our light aid detachment, the officer took the party out, ‘and found that 18 of the tanks were in perfect condition. Nine were driven in by New Zealanders with tractor experience; but the position was then heavily shelled by the Germans. However, we have them all today. and crews have been organised in readiness for action. A classic example was the experience of an Auckland liaison officer, who was traversing a battle area when II enemy soldiers bobbed up in front of him and advanced—with their hands up. “All we pointed at them was my American baby car,” he said.