CAPTURED BY GERMANS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 4

CAPTURED BY GERMANS

FIGHT BY 700 N.Z. MEN # ATTACK BY PANZER DIVISION (N.Z.EF. Official News Service.) CAIRO, January 11. The events leading to the capture of Sidl Aziez on the morning of November 27, when the force of more than 700 New Zealanders under Brigadier J. Hargest was captured by panzers, later spending six weeks in Bardla, was described by New Zealanders who. have since returned to their base after the capture of the town on January 2. The New Zealand force was stationed near the aerodrome and south of the route used by the German supply convoys between Solium and the army further west. To the north was the New Zealand 22nd Battalion. For several days before the attack the New Zealanders were stopping German convoys and forcing them to turn back. One single truck which tried to break through was blown up by artillery Are. Then a reconnaissance aeroplane came over to see what exactly was the trouble. Next thing the New Zealanders knew of the German intentions was when they were just about to have breakfast between 7 and 7.30 on the morning of November 22. A messenger came in from the north stating that if they did not get out in five minutes a German force would attack. Five minutes later the attack came, not from where the messenger came, but from the east. “They came in with the sun and it was possible to see them clearly,” said one soldier. “We had very little in the way of artillery, a few antitank guns and anti-aircraft guns, and a dozen Bren carriers. The Germans commenced with heavy artillery, followed by light artillery mortars, then the tanks, and after them the mechanised infantry. “We hadn't much of a show, but fought for an hour and a half. Our guns were soon silenced and we had tu resort to the rifle and the machinegun." It was said that the New Zealanders tried to stop tanks with rifles. When the Germans took over they expressed surprise, thinking that the position was held by at least 2000 men. The German soldiers immediately started looting, taking everything they could find except watches. They also scoffed most of the breakfast, being very hungry. This was a disaster for' the New Zealanders, as they did not get another nutritious meal till Bardia Was taken six weeks later, Having arranged everything to their satisfaction, the main German force continued on, leaving a small party of motor-cyclists to escort the prisoners to Bardia. They chose a circumventing route till they struck the main road, the New Zealanders marching all the way with several stops, the

last one being about an hour and half to await darkness before ente* ing the outer defences of the P®. Meanwhile the party of Bren earn® who had been patrolling saw the ban* ending and decided it was best escape, getting away safely. . No one is able to say what b a PP e “,. to the wounded left at Sidi AZ'Cj whom the Germans were unable treat or transport.