SECOND EDITION FRESH VICTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24134, 28 November 1941, Page 8

SECOND EDITION FRESH VICTORY

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS rezegh recaptured , . 1 FIGHTING NEAR TOBRTJK ; (Reed. 1.50 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27 j Sidi JRczegh has been recaptured , by New Zealand troops, supported by British tanks. They are presnra- , ably the same troops who went on from Bardia and then on to Gambut before linking up with General Cunningham's forces. Sidi Rezegh lias now changed hands three times. The gap between Tohruk and the Allied forces, if it exists, must be a narrow one. Allied forces from Tohruk have captured two strong enemy positions 14 miles from the town. MAORIS IN ACTION GERMAN FORCE ROUTED ATTACK NEAR SOLLUM (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, Nov. 23 Cries of Maori hakas broke through the dawn as the Maori Battalion swarmed to a spectacular attack neat Solium on the morning of November 23. Under heavy machine-gun, anti-tank and artillery fire, a daring attack was launched. Solium is now without water for its pipeline was cut by the rvew Zealanders four days ago. Heavy artillery lire from Hellhre Pass continues,'but the Maoris refuse to budge and the Germans are shelling their own troops who are cut off in Solium. Screened by British tanks, the Maoris moved up under cover of a pitch black night through the ruins of the old fort at Capu'/KO, twice previously held by British and Imperial troops and now held by the New Zealanders. In front was a squadron of tanks paving the way for the main attack. At the first rays of dawn the tanks made a sortie toward the strongly defended barracks overlooking Solium. Heavy German artillery at Hellfire Pass laid down a solid barrage and forced the tanks to withdraw, but not before they had routed several German machine-gun posts in the barracks. Back went the tanks to_ attack again, but again they were driven off by the German artillery. When within a mile of the hill of the Solium barracks the Maoris debussed and prepared for a main attack again. Our tanks withdrew to let the Maoris through and in the first grey light of dawn the Maoris, with bayonets fixed, rushed to a swift and demoralising attack. It was not a bayonet charge. Mortars and hand grenades were tbe chief weapons of attack. Tn the face of artillery barrage from Hellfire Pass and machine-gun, rifle and anti-tank fire from the barracks, the Maoris pressed on. The Germans continued firing on them until they were at the very walls of the barracks, then threw up their hands in surrender. Many scattered in confusion and were chased down the road into Solium township, terrified by the blood-curdling yells of the Maori's. When the Germans realised they were up against the inspired Maoris, who knew no fear, they withdrew from the barracks and retreated.