AWARDS TO N.Z. OFFICERS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23717, 15 August 1942, Page 4

AWARDS TO N.Z. OFFICERS

CITATIONS DESCRIBE GALLANTRY

RUWEISAT RIDGE ACTION (Official War Correspondent N.Z.EJ.) CAIRO, August 13.

Stories of gallantry and daring in told in the citations accompanying the immediate awards to Major KM. McElroy, Lieutenant G. S. Cooper, find Captain E. A. McPhail. ; The citation to Major McElroy 1 ! Distinguished, Service Order State* that, while the flight attack _oftr tb* Ruweisat ridge was at its height;#® July 14-15, Major McEh:oy«|»ecaiM separated from his battalion Viking * clash with enemy tanks. HegMected some 60 men with him tinued to advance independeiwST™* stroying numerous enemy posts, Wiling many of the enemy, and tutfol 40 prisoners. At daybreak he found , himself still isolated and on the' edge of a depression filled with Italians,,. His men had only aji average of" fives rounds each remaining, and eight o' i them were wounded. Major McElroy extended his party and charged; After a furious interchange of n« and the bayoneting of many of Ihe enemy, the remainder of the Italians —4O officers and 460 other rankssurrendered. Major McElroy then too® the prisoners under escort and handed them to a neighbouring formation before returning to his unit. His personal dash, leadership, and determination alone made this brilliant exploit possible. . The citation covering the awarlol a bar to the M.C. to Captain MC-, Phail states that ' after the capture of the Ruweisat ridge on the night of July 14-15, the assaulting battalions were for some houn separated from their transport W# heavy weapons by large enesny parties, which had been overlooked in the darkness. Captain McPhail, tnougn near exhaustion after arduous w#» as brigade intelligence officer, searched with great daring for a practicable route. After a series of extremely dangerous experiments, always carried opt under sharp Are, he discovered a route and led the transport to the battalions where it arrived i® the nick of time. The citation for the award of the M.C. to Lieutenant Cooper states that he became separated from his mut during the night of the Ruweisat ridge attack. With his platoon he joined another party under Major McElroy and took a brilliant part in the series ol charges and bayonet attacks. His remarkable dash and leadership were an inspiration to the whole party. Armed with rifle and bayonet, Lieutenant Cooper fought and led his men superbly. He was outstandingly cool and resolute, rallying his men alter each clash and leading every charge.