N.Z. GUNNERS PRAISED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20634, 9 December 1941, Page 3

N.Z. GUNNERS PRAISED

ACCURACY OF FIRE SIDI REZEGH SHELLING (Reed. Dec. 9, 9 a.m.) CAIRO, Dec. 7. A tribute to the accuracy of the New Zealand artillery is contained in a story of parties who escaped from the custody of the enemy at Sidi Rezegh. Two Australian officers who were captured by an enemy raiding column were taken to a New Zealand hospital at Sidi Rezegh.

The enemy had left the hospital intact, but it was ringed with guns, as they defended the position on the assumption that the New Zealanders would not fire near a hospital. The New Zealand artillery found a perfect range and made the position untenable by destroying the enemy batteries and the Germans withdrew, taking the hospital stall' and patients as prisoners, together with a number of prisoners held at the hospital. At this stage the party took over a large vehicle and the Australian officers, several South Africans, and the majority of New Zealanders escaped through the enemy lines. The Australian officers have the highest possible praise for the work of the New Zealand artillery, to whose marksmanship they owe the opportunity of escaping.