GALLANT OFFICERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 40, 15 August 1942, Page 4

GALLANT OFFICERS

RUWEISAT RIDGE EPISODES (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, August 13. Stories of gallantry and daring are told in the citations accompanying the immediate awards-to Major H. M. McElroy, D.5.0., Lieutenant G. S. Cooper, M.C., and Captain E. A, McPhail, M.C. (bar). While the night attack on the Ruweisat Ridge was at its height on July 14-15, Major McElroy became separated from his battalion during a clash with enemy tanks. He collected some sixty men and continued to advance independently, destroying numerous enemy posts, killing many of the enemy, and taking forty prisoners. At daybreak he found himself still isolated and on the edge of a depression filled with Italians. His m&n had only an average of five rounds each left, and eight of them were wounded. Major McElroy extended his party and charged. After a furious 'interchange of fire and the bayoneting of many of the enemy, the remainder of the Italians, 40 officers and 460 men, surrendered. Major McElroy then took the prisoners under escort and •handed them to a neighbouring formation, before returning to his unit Hia personal dash, leadership, and determination alone made this brilliant exploit possible: After the capture of the Ruweisat Ridge the assaulting battalions were for some hours separated from their transport and heavy weapons by large enemy parties which had been Overlooked in the darkness. Captain McPhail, though near exhaustion after ,1113 arduous work as brigade intelligence officer, searched with great daring for a practicable route. After a series of extremely dangerous experiments, always carried out under sharp fire, he discovered a route, and led the transport to the battalions, where it arrived in the nick of time. Lieutenant Cooper became separated from his unit during the night of the Ruweisat Ridge .attack. With his platoon he joined the party under Major McElroy, and took a brilliant part in a series of charges and bayonet attacks. His remarkable dash and leadership, were an inspiration to the whole party. Armed with a rifle and bayonet, he fought and led superbly. He was outstandingly cool and resolute, rallying his men after each clash" and leading every charge.