IMMEDIATE AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23512, 15 December 1941, Page 4

IMMEDIATE AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY

New Zealand Soldiers Decorated (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, December 13. Seventeen immediate awards for gallantry by New Zealanders in the recent action in the Libyan Desert were announced to-day by Headquarters, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The decorations are:— DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER Major C, H. Sawyers, Artillery. MILITARY CROSS Lieutenant C. S. Pepper, Anti-tank. Lieutenant A. C, Yoetnan, Auckland Infantry. Second-Lieutenant C, H. Cathie, Wellington Infantry. Captain D. J. Fountaine, South Island Infantry. Lieutenant G. L. Lee, Machine-gun Battalion. Second-Lieutenant A. R. Guthrey, South Island Infantry. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL Private W. D. Friday, Auckland Infantry. Sergeant 11. R. Martin, Wellington Infantry. Sergeant G. MacM, Dodds, South Island Infantry. Private Gi H, Goad, Auckland Infantry. Gunner C. J, Winthrop, Artillery. Lance-Sergeant R. L. Burke, Anti-tank. MILITARY MEDAL Sergeant-Major P. George, Artillery. Gunner R. Wixon, Anti-tank. Bombardier T. M. Hutchinson, Artillery. Lance-Corporal C. Munro, Field Ambulance, Tanks Recovered In describing the action which won Major Sawyers hi.s decoration, the citation says that on November 23, 1941, while in support of a squadron of Royal Tanks, he found 18 of our own tanks, together with miscellaneous vehicles, in possession of a party of the enemy. Without hesitation he called upon his troop and put down a bracket of fire on the group of tanks. Calling for further fire from the troop, he, with his observation post party, advanced towards the tanks, sprayed them with small arms fire, and proceeded to engage those of the enemy not in the tanks. The action ended with Major Sawyers in possession of all the vehicles and tanks and with about 50 prisoners on his hands. Twelve of the tanks were later driven away and converted to our own use. Five days later Major Sawyers was largely instrumental in bringing about the surrender of a company strong point located on the escarpment east of Sidi Rezegh. While manning an observation post close to this strong point, a small concentration from another point landed on the point. Major Sawyers kept the strong point under cover of small arms fire and advanced to get a better view. He then noticed a German infantryman, who apparently wanted to surrender. Major Sawyers made signs for him to bring the remainder of the garrison. This the infantryman did, with the result that 70 prisoners and the strong point fell into our hands. Next day, by very good aggressive work in this observation post, Major Sawyers was largely instrumental in beating off an attack from the direction of Bir Scinerat. All Black’s Award Coolness and daring were revealed in the citation of the action which won the All Black, Lieutenant Cyril Stonnard Pepper, his Military Cross. On Sunday, November 23, about six miles south of Sidi Rezegh, Lieutenant Pepper was with his troop of two-pounder antitank guns, when the South African Brigade was overrun by enemy tanks. Lieutenant Pepper was attached to the South Island Infantry. and his troop Was ordered to a dangerous flank of the battalion. Lieutenant Pepper led his guns into action under intensive hostile machine-gun and mortar fire. Large numbers of hostile tanks were engaged by Lieutenant Pepper’s troop. It was estimated that about 24 were disabled. Through mistaken orders from the South Africans, the guns retired about 1000 yards. Lieutenant Pepper collected them and personally led each back into action. Without thought for his own safety, he moved from gun to gun, encouraging the gun detachments. This, under heavy hostile fire, was an inspiration to his men to carry on under the most difficult conditions. After nightfall, when the guns withdrew, Lieutenant Pepper led a small party back to recover one gun which had been damaged.

Daring Leader

‘‘For cool courage and daring leadership in the field on the morning of November 25, while in command of a section of Bren-gun carriers,” says the citation covering the decoration for Lieutenant Alfred Charles Yoeman. Ordered to assist in the capture of a blockhouse on a ridge, Yoernan used a bold flank movement under severe machine-gun fire. His section completely dominated and routed the enemy, culminating in the capture of 150 prisoners on the evening of November 28. While in command of a Bren-carrier platoon of the Auckland Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Yoeman showed skilful tactics in handling his carriers across an open flank, during an attacK on his unit’s position at Sidi Rezegh. The attack destroyed the right flank, consisting of two companies, endangering the remainder of the battalion. In the face of heavy artillery and mortar fire, and with great disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Yoeman repulsed the enemy and inflicted heavy casualties on them. The action resulted in Lieutenant Yoeman losing his own Bren-carrier and becoming severely wounded. Led Bayonet Charge ‘‘Second-Lieutenant Charles Harold Cathie distinguished himself by skill, daring, and cool leadership,” says the citation. His platoon was directly opposed by several machine-gun posts. He quickly rallied his men and led a bayonet charge, which resulted in the capture of a considerable number of Germans and equipment. Reorganising, he repeated the action and succeeded in silencing another machinegun post. Although wounded and unable to use his rifle, he continued to reorganise and direct the operations of the platoon and the actions of a neighbouring unit which had become scattered. His courage and ability were an inspiration to those around him. In subsequent actions, he displayed the same courage and determination. Although still suffering from a wound, he begged to be allowed to remain with his unit. “Brilliant Attack” When his company was attacked by seven German tanks on the Bardia road on November 22, Captain Denver James Fountaine extricated it with small loss from what appeared a desperate position. Later in the same day he made a brilliantly successful attack with his company. At Bir Cleta, on November 23, he led the company with equal dash and spirit in an attack, and at Bir el Hamed on the night of November 25 he led a company to the assault with great gallantry. He had just succeeded to the command of a battalion when he was wounded. Lieutenant George Lacey Lee displayed exceptional tactical skill and inspired leadership under fire, with complete disregard to his own safety. On November 27, an Auckland infantry battalion had suffered many casualties from machine-gun and mortar nests south of Bir el Hamed. Lieutenant Lee went forward in the face of heavy fire towards the machine-gun positions and guided our tanks into the teeth of these nests. Then, on his own initiative, he formed a strong point at Bir Scinerat, where, with a few troops in support, he defended the eastern flank of the brigade against successive attacks by tanks and infantry, until the final withdrawal, in spite of severe wounds in the head. Decisive Action Second-Lieutenant Albert Ronald Guthrey commanded a Bren-carrier platoon of a South Island Infantry Battalion with notable skill and dash on the Bardia road on November 22, and at Bir Cleta the next day. In the second action his initiative in attacking an enemy flank was probably decisive. One of his carriers was disabled by close-range fire from a heavy gun. He