HEROISM IN BURMA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21604, 5 January 1945, Page 4

HEROISM IN BURMA

N.Z. MAJOR DECORATED AN IMMEDIATE M.C. i Major A. G. Haytor, of the 2nd Gurkha Rides, South-east Asia Command, Burma, recently gained an immediate award of the Military Cross. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Hnyter, Rocklands, Takaka. Nelson. Major Hay ter was boj’n in Timaru and educated at Nelson College. Ha is a brother of Squadron Leader J. G. F. liayter, D.FjC.. R.A.F. . The citation to Major Hayters award stated: “It was the task of B Company under command of Majoi Hayter to capture the feature Tiger, about 500 yards north of Pt. 1433. the main objective on the Mayu Range. Having established one platoon on the feature Horse, 200 yards north of Tiger, Major Hayter skilfully moved the remaining two platoons through Ihe thick jungle up the steep hillside, 1 hen formed them up, unheard by the enemy, in positions cast of the objective by 4 a.m. on September 8. “At '5 a.m. the assault was launched. As control was almost impossible. Major Hayter accompanied one platoon, portions of which arrived with him inside the enemy defences on Tiger. Several men were killed and wounded by heavy enemy small arms and grenade fire. Seizing a Bren from a wounded man, Major liayter engaged a bunker at a lew vards’ range and kept down the fire from it till his gun jammed. Three enemy grenades burst within a few feet of him. “He then decided to withdraw the survivors of the platoon to reorganise. Shortly afterward, iris second platoon got into Hie enemy defences and though wounded and having only nine men with him. Major Hayter again attacked. Enemy grenade and small arms fire from all sides was very heavy and Major Hayter was again wounded. His second platoon was forced out of the position and so be withdrew with his small party. Not till he had reorganised tiro remnants of the two assault platoons east of the Horse and successfully repelled Ihe enuntor-attack which he had anticipated, did Maior Hayter report to Battalion Tac. IT.Q., where lie was sent to fbe regimental aid post. “Throughout the action, Major Hayter displayed courage, initiative, determination and leadership of flic hi chest order."

It was the 2nd Gurkha Regiment which refused to lie relieved throughout the monmoon. II is with the 14th (“the Forgotten") Army.