THREE ATTACKS REPULSED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23737, 8 September 1942, Page 3

THREE ATTACKS REPULSED

NEW ZEALANDERS HOLD THEIR POSITIONS AXIS INFANTRY HOTLY ENGAGED (Official War Correspondent N.Z.E.F.) WESTERN DESERT. Sept. 5. Several determined attacks by German and Italian infantry, in one cate with strong tank support, were repelled by New Zealand troops yesterday afternoon. ... The first attack came about 1 o clock, when the men of a Wellington battalion saw advancing on them a large body of infantry accompanied by 15 medium Italian tanks. All except four tanks remained in a depression while the others went forward with the infantry, their guns blazing furiously. The enemy was supported by heavy artillery and mortar fire. Then the New Zealand guns came into action with a terrific barrage of such accuracy that the enemy’s supporting troops and armour were forced to disperse. For 20 minutes our artillery rained shells among the enemy and afterwards continued to harass him. Meanwhile, the forward enemy troops, who had advanced to within 300 yards of our lines, were hotly engaged with machine-gun and, small arms fire. The four tanks halted, but the crews were sniping until they were killed and the tanks destroyed by antitank fire. The attack was a complete failure, and within half an hour those left of the enemy withdrew. Only a few hours later an advance by enemy tanks, armoured cars, and infantry was broken up by heavy artillery fire before it had progressed far, and efforts from that direction were not repeated. Further to the west attempts were made to rush positions held by a South Island battalion, without success. The enemy advanced to close quarters, but fell back in the face, of heavy fire. Last night was fairly quiet, but this morning our forward positions are being shelled consistently with little effect. Air raids have continued, but on a greatly reduced scale. Maoris’ Attack Crouching low and moving silently, the Maoris who participated in Thursday night’s attack caused havoc among the enemy when they sprang among them in their weapon flits. Those Italians, who had time to surrender did so with alacrity, but the Germans resisted until they were killed or.captured. Casualties inflicted on the enemy are now known to be much heavier than were first thought. A captured 88-millimetre gurt was used by a Maori sergeant from North Auckland to knock out a machine-gun post and destroy transport. An Italian 47-millimetre gun was operated by a corporal with equal success. During the height of the battle a transport officer, driving a truck, was stopped by the command “hands up,” delivered in what were obviously foreign accents. “Hands up yourself,” yelled the officer, and was surprised when immediately a number of Italians came forward unarmed, and without bidding climbed into the back of the truck to be taken off as prisoners. . Two Maoris who had been cut off remained hidden throughout yesterday, and last night they blazed their way out with Eren guns, reaching their own lines in safety.