N.Z. TROOPS IN EGYPT

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1942, Page 6

N.Z. TROOPS IN EGYPT

AWARDS TO OFFICERS

[N.Z.E.P. Official War Correspondent]

CAIRO,. August 13. Stories of gallantry and daring are told in citations accompanying immediate awards made to Major H, Pvt. McElroy, Lieutenant G. _ S. Cooper, and Captain E. A. McPhail. Of Major McElroy, who has received the D.S.O. the citation states: —While a night attack on 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 with him, and continued to advance independently, destroying numerous enemy posts, killing many enemy, and taking forty prisoners. At daybreak he found himself still isolated, and on the edge of a depression filled with Italians. His men had only an average of five rounds each remaining', and eight of them were wounded. 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 —forty officers and 460 ranks—surrendered. McElroy then took 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 award of a bar to the M.C. to Captain McPhail states: —After the capture of Ruweisat Ridge'on the night of July 14/15. the assaulting battalions were for some hours separated from their transport and heavy weapons by large enemy parties, which had been overlooked in darkness. Captain McPhail, though near exhaustion after 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.

The citation in respect of the award of the M.C. to Lieutenant Cooper states: —Lieutenant Cooper became separated from his unit during the night of the Ruweisat Ridge attack. With his platoon, he joined another 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. Lieutenant Cooper fought and led superbly. He was outstandingly cool and resolute in rallying his men after each clash and in leading every charge.

KIWI AIRMEN

[X.Z.E.r. Offleiiil News Service.]

CAIRO, August 13

Everyone calls them Kiwis—those New Zealanders in the R.A.F. in the Middle East. Practically every squadron. including the South African, supporting the Eighth Army, has one or two New Zealanders. One Hurricane bomber squadron I have seen operating is commanded by Squadron Leader J. C. Hayter, of d'Urville Island, Nelson, who fought in France and in the battle of Britain. He has been flying in the desert for three months. His squadron includes Australians, Canadians, Americans and Rhodesians. It has blitzed many enemy positions, and also has acted as a normal fighter 'squadron. A nearby Hurricane fighter squadron includes Pilot Officer J. S. Hepburn. of Ashburton, who flew in Canada, Iceland, England, Ireland, the Gold Coast, Cyprus, Syria and Palestine before flying in the desert; and Sergeant K. G. Allington, who has been flying fighters since the retreat fi■ om Ga in btit. The envy of all the others is one Spitfire squadron which includes Sergeant Denny Burman, of Invercargill, who is now resting at a rear aerodrome after his squadron has provided the top cover for the R.A.F. operations in this campaign. Among hardest working squadrons is the naval Albacore one, including SubLieutenant Sandy Brunt, of Christchurch, who lias taken part in thirtytwo sorties since Tobruk fell, including mine-laying and land bombing, its most frequent target lately has been Mensa Matruh, which is the most defended enemy port. Sleep all the morning and a nightly, job has been the programme for many weeks.