"THE DIAMOND TRACK"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 149, 26 June 1945, Page 4

"THE DIAMOND TRACK"

NORTH AFRICAN VICTORY "The Diamond Track," the latest Army Board publication, tells the story of the part played by the Second New Zealand Division in the last six months of the North African campaign. The choice of title is explained as follows:—"A. black diamond was somehow adopted as the sign to mark the Division's route. Diamonds were cut from petrol tins, painted black and mounted on iron standards. As the Division moved, a navigator led on a compass bearing, and every half-mile standards were put in to mark 'the thrust line' or 'axis of advance.* The 'axis' was a most important feature of the desert mine. Headquarters vehicles moved along the diamonds, and other vehicles were able to fix their positions in formation accordingly. If the going was bad and only negotiable on a narrow front, a flag signal was given and the number of columns was reduced. As soon as good going was reached again, desert formation was taken up automatically in relation to the marked axis. Supply columns coming up from the rear could always follow the black diamonds. They were a friendily sign to find and follow—the Division would always be found at the end of the trail. The diamond thrust line had a further tactical value. On it was based a manoeuvre whereby in the event of an attack by enemy armour on the force while advancing, a gun line could be formed on the threatened flank and the whole force could deploy for action in a minimum of time. At night also the axis was laid, and shaded hurricane lanterns were hung on the standards. As soon as darkness came and movement could not be seen from the air, the whole force closed in to visibility distance between vehicles. No lights were shown and speed was reduced. Nevertheless, it was usually possible to move 30 miles in a night move compared with an average daylight move of 100 miles." This organisation was a feature ot the work of the Division in the final stages of the North African campaign. Operating on the left flank of the Bth Army the Division carried out the celebrated "left hooks" which forced the enemy out of the two great strongholds at Agheila and Mareth. These hooks are well illustrated "by pictures and maps. How well the carefully prepared plans went and how closely the armies engaged m the final battles in the North African campaign were able to keep to schedule is shown by a conversation between General Freyberg and a sentry, quoted as an introduction to the chapter, "The End of the Italian "How do you thinlc things are going?" asked the general. ■ , , , "Fair sir," said the sentry, looking glum, "Don't worry, we'll be in Tripoli by the 25th," srfid General Freyberg. The sentry reflected. "Earlier would be better, sir," he said. , "Why?" asked'the general. | "Because it's my birthday on the 23rd," said the sentry. . I "Well, we'll see what we can do," promised the general with a smile. The sentry saw the Union Jaclt flying over Tripoli on January 23. "The Diamond Track" is well written and profusely illustrated and mapped. It is not, as General Freyber^ points out in his foreword, an official history, but simply a connected account expanding to some extent the cabled reports published*-in New Zealand at the close of each phase of the North African campaign. It is difficult, however, to imagine 'a more complete or more thrilling account of the contribution made by the New Zealand Division to one of the most glorious and conclusive oJ! Allied victories.