NIGHT PATROLS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23699, 25 July 1942, Page 4

NIGHT PATROLS

New Zealandefs '* Active ARTILLERY HAMMERS THE ENEMY (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.8.F.) RUWEISAT RIDGE, July 20. Successful night patrols deep Into' enemy lines and artillery fire ip support of the Indians’ attack on the RUweisat ridge have been the mam activity in the New Zealand sector of the front line In the last two days. Our field guns have seldom been silent, but the enemy’s only replies have been occasional, ineffective shells from his long-range artillery.. New Zealand regiments have been constantly hammering his concentrations of tanks and transport. Enemy air activity, which had grown to several raids a day on our positions, has decreased again, particularly since Royal Air Force fighters had their great success against Stukas yesterday, News that five of themorning raiders had been brought down and 3d others destroyed On the ground reached me yesterday afternoon While I was with machinegUnnerS in what they know as “Bomb alley.” The story Was eagerly received ih every gunpit, They are keen for news of success against this enemy beyond the reach of their Vickers guns. Everywhere 1 stopped men Were talking of “the great job the Royal Air Force is doing.’ When the Stukas arrived for their evening raid they got probably the hottest reception German aeroplanes have had from the New Zealanders to date. It appeared that every man with a gun capable of firing into the air Was shooting for direct hits. Bofors shells were shot Up so thick and fast that some Stukas Were almost obscured by their bursts. Our ack-ack gunners, whose neverfailing resistance is the pi'ide of the division, seemed to be fighting even more Vigorously than Usual. Several possibles must be joined to the long list that accompanies the IS certainties they have destroyed In this campaign. Since early this morning Royal Air Force fighters have been hovering over us, but above the New Zealand line there have been few targets for them. ARIETE OUTPOST" WRECKED ATTACK BY N.Z. PATROL (Official War Correspondent) WESTERN DESERT, July 20. Grenades and Tommy-guns wrecked an outpost of the Ariete Division on the southern sector of the Alamein line last night, when a strong patrol of Hauraki (Auckland City) men penetrated half a mile inside the Italian lines and destroyed one heavy gun, three light guns, four machine-guhs, and orte car, captured 42 Befsaglieri recently flown to the African front, ahd wounded or killed a number of others, A u eavy concentration of New Zealand artillery and Vickers guns covered the approach of the patrol in Bren carriers at dusk. Anti-tank guns accompanied the patrol and protected it against enemy tanks. Several miles from the NeW Zealand lines the patrol found an Italian minefield and cleared tracks for the carriers, and the infantry advanced through the Crossfire of the defences. Led by a former Auckland Rugby football representative, a teacher, of Whakatane, the patrol rushed the machine-guns, hurling percussion grenades and firing Tommy-guns. After the section post had been cleaned up. most of the occupants surrendering quickly, engineers with explosives blew up gups ih the area, infantry With Mills grehades wrecking the machine-guns. Enemy tanks approached, but the patrol, with the job finished, withdrew. Two carriers while retiring struck mines and were abandoned. Our infantry, with prisoners picked Up, all Reached the lines again. One missing,