10 N.Z. AWARDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20907, 6 October 1942, Page 3

10 N.Z. AWARDS

ALAMEIN_ BATTLE GALLANTACTIONS GISBORNE MAN’S M.Gv LIST OF DECORATIONS (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent.) (10 a.m.) CAIRO, Oct. 5. Ten further immediate awards for gallantry in the battle of Alamein were announced to-day. They are: Distinguished Service Order Colonel (temp. Brigadier) W. G. Gentry, Lower Hutt. Bar to Military Cross Captain W. M. Porter (Poata) M.C. f Te Puke, Kaeo, North Auckland. Military Cross Captain K. A. Keiha. His father is Pvlr Pare Keiha, Gisborne. Captain P. R. Pike, Auckland. , . Lieutenant J. P. Tikao-Barrett/ Hawera. Distinguished Conduct Medal Sergeant R. Davis, Bay of Islands: ' Corporal L. T. McClurg, Owenga, Chatham Islands. Military Medal Sergeant John August, Auckland. Sergeant G. J. Black, Scotland. Sergeant W. R. Goodmanson, Lyttelton. ■ . Colonel Gentry was recently promoted to brigadier. He was G.S.O. I, New Zealand Division in the battle of Alamein. He displayed conspicuous skill and organising ability in the field during the complicated mobile operations leading up to the stabilisation of the Alamein line and the hard fighting which immediately ensued. During a period of great stress and often under fire, Colonel Gentry displayed the greatest coolness, skill and determination which was an inspiration to all with whom he came into contact. Captain Porter was in command of a company when the Maori Battalion, made an attack on the eastern.end of the El Mrier depression on the night of August 25. He led his company with fine dash and determination and his courage and leadership were inspiring. His example set a standard which enabled his company to overrun, capture and destroy 16 enemy machine-gun posts in -succession. , Inspiring Leadership

Captain Keiha commanded a company which provided protection for the remainder of the Maori Battalion until the final assault was (made on the Dier el Munassib depression on the night of September 3. His company met with resistance from strong enemy positions at various points over a distance of 3500 yards but they overcame the enemy and enabled the main force to move to its forming-up line with little interference. Captain Keiha prepared for his difficult task well, and executed it excellently. At all times he was there to inspire, control and direct his men under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. It was largely due to his leadership that the whole operation was successful. Captain Peter Pike commanded a company of an Auckland battalion which was ordered to carry out a raid on the enemy lines on the night- of August 30. The company met with fairly stiff opposition, but took 33 prisoners and killed 20 or 30. The only casualties suffered were, three men wounded. This success was due to the able leadership of Captain Pike, who went into enemy territory and controlled the raid. - Lieutenant Tikao-Barrett commanded the right forward platoon of a leading company in the Maori Battalion attack on Deir el Manassib depression on the night of September 3. His platoon was most heavily engaged during the whole of the attack and ihflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, over-running five machine-gun posts. Lieut. TikaoBarrett showed the high qualities of leadership, keeping control of his platoon in a difficult sector in the dark and under heavy fire. By his personal example of courage and initiative, he inspired his men to further efforts till he was severely wounded. Killed Crew of German Gun Sergeant Davis single-handed., attacked and killed a crew of 10 manning an 88 mm gun in the Maori Battalion attack on the fright of Septem-. ber 3. He then used the 88 mm gun effectively against the enemy, knocking out two machine-gun posts. When the enemy counter-attacked ' with grenades and machine-gun fire and while his company was still in a precarious position, Sergeant Davis used a captured machine-gun against them effectively. His leadership and control was a potent factor in the success of the attack. He showed courage and initiative throughout the action. Corporal McClurg was in charge of the mortar section of a forward company of a Wellington battalion when an enemy tank and infantry attack was directed against them on the' morning of September 4. The enemy approached and were within 400yds. , where they were halted by accurate and intense fire of Corporal McClurg’s section until an artillery SOS dispersed the attack. Throughout the action Corporal McClurg repeatedly moved back and forward over a distance of 100yds. under heavy fire, directing and observing his detachments’ fire. He was wounded but carried on until the attack was beaten off. - - Sergeant August, a former Auckland representative forward, commanded a platoon of the Maori Battalion in the attack on el Mrier depression on the night of August 25. His platoon successfully attacked and captured in succession eight enemy machine-gun posts, taking prisoners and equipment and inflicting heavy casualties. Sergeant August’s coolness and personal courage were a continual source of inspiration to his men. He showed outstanding qualities of leadership in controlling and leadyig his men in difficult conditions under shellfire in smoke and dust. Rescue of Crew and Wounded Sergeant Black, of an Auckland battalion, was in charge of two Bren carriers which were detailed to act as protection to an artillery observation unit which was going out about 6000 yds. from the defended area at Minqar Qaim on the morning of June 27. When about 1500yds. from the proposed position the party was met by a strong force of tanks and forced to withdraw. One carrier was hit and set ablaze. Sergeant Black returned and took off the crew and weapons and succeeded in withdrawing without losses when the enemy tanks were 500yds away. On the evening of July 21 at Alam Nayil, three men were "wounded near Sergeant Black’s carrier. He left his vehicle, gave first aid and took them back to the regimental aid post. He was wounded himself but refused to wait and returned to his section. His , qualities of leadership, coolness and courage have been an inspiration to his whole platoon. Sergeant Goodmanson, of an Auckland battalion, led a party of 10 men in a raid on the enemy lines on the night of August 30. Attacking with the bayonet, his party killed and wounded about 20 and took 12 prisoners. He then led his party against a machine-gun post and destroyed it. They went on to destroy an Italian anti-tank gun and the crew. Throughout the action Sergeant Goodmanson showed disregard of personal safety and his leadership was an inspiration to his men. He had previously led reconnaissance patrols into the same area and the success of the raid was largely due to the information he had gathered.