ATTACKS REPELLED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25015, 8 September 1942, Page 2

ATTACKS REPELLED

NEW ZEALANDERS IN DESERT MAORI SOLDIERS' EXPLOIT (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) WESTERN DESERT. Sept. 5. Several determined attacks by German and Italian infantry, in one case with strong tank support, were repelled by the New Zealand troops yesterday afternoon. The first attack came at about 1 o'clock, when men of the Wellington Battalion saw advancing on them a large body of infantry, accompanied by 15 medium Italian tanks. All except four of the tanks remained in a depression, while the others went forward with the infantry, their guns blazing furiously. The enemy was supported by heavy artillery and mortar firg Then' the New Zealand guns came into action with a terrific barrage of such accuracy that the enemy's supporting troops and armour were forced to disperse. For 20 minutes our artillery rained shells among the enemy and afterwards continued' to harass him. Meanwhile forward enemy troops who had advanced to within about 300 yards of our lines were hotly engaged with machine-gun and smallarms fire. Four tanks were halted but the crews continued sniping until they were killed and the tanks destroyed by anti-tank fire. The attack was a complete failure, and within half an hour those of the enemy who were left withdrew. Withering Fire Only a few hours later an advance by enemy tanks, armoured cars, and infantry was broken up by heavy artillerv fire before it had progressed far, and efforts from that direction were not repeated. Further to the west attempts were made to rush positions held by a South Island battalion, without success. The enemy advanced to close quarters, but fell back in the face of heavy fire. . ... Last night was fairly quiet, but this morning our forward positions are being shelled consistently, with little effect. Air raids have continued, but on a greatly-reduced scale. Crouching low and moving silently, the Maoris who participated in Thursday night's attack caused havoc among the enemy when they sprang among them in their weapon pits. Those Italians who had time to surrender did so with alacrity, but the Germans resisted until they were killed or captured. The casualties inflicted on the enemy are now known to be much heavier than was at first thought. A captured 88-millimetre gun was used by a Maori sergeant from North Auckland to knock out a machine-gun post and destroy transport. An Italian 47millimetre 'gun was operated by a corporal with equal success. Italians Surrender

During the height of the battle a transport officer driving a truck was stopped by the command " Hands up!" delivered in what was obviously a foreign accent. " Hands up yourself! " yelled the officer, and was surprised when immediately a number of Italians came forward unarmed, and, without bidding, climbed into the back of the truck to be taken off as prisoners. Two Maoris who had been cut off remained hidden throughout yesterday, and last night blazed their way out with Bren guns, reaching their own lines in safety.