Stamina Of N.Z. Troops Marks Them As World’s Best

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1941, Page 4

Stamina Of N.Z. Troops Marks Them As World’s Best

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service). CAIRO, December 3.

The main front of the Libyan battle remains in the Sidi Rezegh-Tobruk area, where on Monday the New Zealand forces bore the brunt of a heavy attack on a narrow front.

Although both Sidi Rezegh and Ber el Hamid, which were captured some days ago by the New Zealanders, have been retaken by German armoured forces, the area itself is still held by the British and New Zealand troops. In what is described in Cairo as “a fluctuating battle,”-the enemy succeeded in driving a bulge in our lines which took in Sidi Rezegh and Ber el Hamid. This attack was launched by armoured forces on a narow front. It was a local success for the enemy, and is described by a military spokesman as “one of the downs in an up-and-down fight.” 10 Days Without Respite

While the New Zealanders are engaged in continuous fighting here another portion of our troops is engaged on the frontier, where elements of the enemy still have to be dealt with. The highest praise for the stamina, high courage, determination and valour of the New Zealand troops is heard on all sides. It is said that the troops’ achievement in standing up to 10 days of continuous heavy fighting against stout opposition is amazing, and marks them as the world’s best troops. Another correspondent says New Zealanders going into hospital are cheerful and confident, not like the haggard and disillusioned men who flooded the hospitals after Greece and Crete. They admit that the work of the Royal Air Force has contributed most to their confidence.

A British United Press Correspondent with the advanced armoured forces says two tank battles were raging in Libya early on Tuesday. German units were attacking the New Zealanders slightly north-west of Sidi Rezegh, and the German 21st Division was attacking north-east of Sidi Rezegh.