N.Z. SOLDIER’S FEAT.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 60, 3 August 1944, Page 2

N.Z. SOLDIER’S FEAT.

BIG TIGER TANK DESTROYED. (Official War Correspondent N.Z.E.F.) New Zealand tanks on safari in Northern Italy have scored their first Tiger. It was big game hunting par excellence, the stalkers being four Shermans of a New Zealand regiment, and the victim a 60-toii product of German armament factories, armed with 88mm cannon. The Tiger was brought to bay in a field of standing corn on the curve of a hillside near Strada.

Being more than twice the weight of a and having the advantage of heavier armament and of position, the Tiger yet chose to go into action prepared to retreat with its turret trained astern.

The engagement opened at 1500 yards. The Germans proved the efficiciency of the 88mm gun by putting a shell clean through one Sherman. The other New Zealand tanks settled down to a gun duel which soon put a different eomplection on things. Their shells could not penetrate the missive armour belt, though they scored hit after hit. At last one shell ripped through the 2in steel at the top lip of the armour, tore off a heavy steel flap covering the engine, and immobilised the monster.

It was almost the end of the battle. The German crew performed their time honoured act of scuttling by blowing up the ship.