SAVED BY TRAINING

Grey River Argus, 19 July 1949, Page 3

SAVED BY TRAINING

N.Z. Division Escapes When Surrounded (By "Gunner.”) Any mention of that vital period after we left Metruh.with Rommel’s victorious forces rushing down on, us, brings to mind immediately the battle of Minqa Qaim. It was an extraordinary period and those of us who saw the move of the whole German Army away to the north, with vehicles 20 abreast stretching as far as the eye could see in both directions felt just a trifle isolated, but infinitely happpier than if we had been left in the Matruh “box.” The decision to leave the box and fight in the open desert was a wise one based on training and experience. After an exciting day of battle, with the German forces closing the ring all round us, night came, and with it the decision to fight our way out, right through the opposing forces. No Panic Occurred The outstanding move came off successfully, but a large portion of the vehicles in the middle of the action were cut off from the break-through by a line of German tanks and a number of our own blazing vehicles. The area was brightly lit by the fires and coloured tracer flew in every direction. There was only one move to make and in the confusion, noise and tumult, all around, at least a few vehicles saw the signal for a “right take ground.” They acted on the signal, and several hundred vehicles followed suit and pounded off to the right flank. No panic occurred. The C.O. s car was recognised, and within minutes and without an order the drivers of the racing vehicles pulled into formation behind it, and a new mixed column, containing everything from ambulances to infantry and from tanks to guns moved off (Sedately at four miles per hour, and drove a devious course right through the German lines with, out exchanging a shot! It sounds incredible,, but it happened! The only two men posted as missing from this exciting movement were two very miserable looking German prisoners, who, of course, had not been trained with the Division and who were left standing when the vehicles suddenly “galloped off” westwards.

They were most anxious to go too. but we had not been trained to look after prisoners ,and they were left forlornly chasing us on foot until they disappeared in the cloud of dust bitterly repenting that through their own slackness they had to return to their own fellow-countrymen. Perfect Battle Discipline

A liner example of perfect .battle discipline could not be imagined. Training had given confidence. The confidence expressed, itself in discipline of the highest clrder. The result was that hundreds ol men and veicles escaped completely and were able to rejoin the Division instead of having 'been decimated, with the survivors ending up in the prison camps for the remainder of the war. That same day saw also another example of training. Brand new six pounder anti-tank guns arrivdd as a first issu» in the middle of the battle. Instead of waiting for the book of words and an instructor to explain the drill the anti-tsmk gunners brought the guns into action at once, purely by reason of the confidence and experience of training with other weapons. With our troops, it was second nature to examine and mastei cap tured enemy weapons. They had the essential basic training behind them training gave the experience neeessary to do so in an emci gency. Why do fire brigadesmen .or life- ■ savers never panic? Because they are trained! Training gives confidence.