HEROIC DEEDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25427, 7 January 1944, Page 2

HEROIC DEEDS

TREASURY ISLAND LANDING GALLANTRY AND LEADERSHIP (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, announced to-day that his Majesty the King has approved of the following immediate operational awards to personnel of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations on Treasury Island, in the South Pacific area:— BAR TO D.S.O. Brigadier Robert Amos Row, D. 5.0., formerly officer commanding the central district and commander of the northern held force. Brigadier Row was in charge of the operations which resulted in the cap-

ture and occupation of Treasury Island. The landing force comprised numerous technical troops, in addition to the normal brigade group, and the smooth landing of the successive transport echelons and general development of the whole operation was eloquent proof of the thorough and careful way in which he had conceived and planned the expedition. In the operations ashore he displayed similar skill and aggressive, courageous leadership. His personal appearance at each threatened point of his defences did much to inspire his officers and men with confidence in the general direction of the operations and contributed in large measure to their success. MILITARY CROSS Second-lieutenant Leslie Thomas George Booth (wife, Mrs A. Booth, Christchurch). On October 27 Lieutenant Booth took part in an assault on the Japanese headquarters. At this time the beach and landing ships were being subjected to very heavy and accurate mortar fire from a high ridge west of the Saveke River. Casualties were being suffered by the unloading parties, and the unloading operations were In danger of being disorganised. Lieutenant Booth was ordered to attack and capture the mortar position. Only a general Indication of the direction from which the fire was coming could be given. Lieutenant Booth led his platoon up the very steep ridge in the face of heavy machine-gun fire and rifle fire. Although the enemy was in considerable force on this ridge, Lieutenant Booth succeeded in driving the enemy from the position and captured two 75-millimetre howitzers which had also been shelling the beaches, The barrels of both guns were hot when taken. .Realising that the enemy still had a mortar in operation higher up on the ridge, Lieutenant Booth left one section to hold the gun position and pushed on. After the advance up the very steep ridge the platoon encountered a strong position surrounding the mortar. In spite of being outnumbered, the platoon made a determined attack on the enemy with tommy-guns and grenades, and the position was captured. The enemy fled, leaving 10 dead around the position. With the mortar were approximately 500 rounds of mortar ammunition and a large quantity of grenades and small arms ammunition. One light machine gun was also captured. Lieutenant Booth destroyed the mortal' and howitzers, and withdrew. His platoon suffered seven _ casualties, all wounded. In this action Lieutenant Booth showed himself an officer of outstanding courage and initiative, and the successful termination of the unloading of the landing craft was due in no small measure to his action.

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL Sergeant William Albert Cowan (wife. Mrs L. B. Cowan, Taumarunui), for distinguished conduct prior to and during the operations in the Solomons area.

Sergeant Cowan was selected to command two patrols to the Treasury Islands before the landing on October 27. The first patrol was sent in to obtain information as to the strength of the enemy and his disposition. The object of the second patrol was to cut the main telephone line between an enemy observation point on Laifa Point and the Japanese headquarters, and to pass information as to enemy movements after the landing had been effected. The first patrol was carried through most successfully under difficult conditions, and resulted in much Valuable information being obtained. The second patrol successfully cut the telephone line at 4 a.m. on October 27, and thus delayed information of the approach of the assaulting troops reaching the enemy. During the next five days the patrol was continuously active behind the enemy‘lines, and much information was obtained. Throughout Sergeant Cowan showed resource and determination of a high order, and his personal example and coolness in the face of considerable danger were largely responsible for the successful achievement of the missions. MILITARY MEDAL Sapper Jack Keith Duncan (wife, Mrs M. Duncan, Auckland), for bravery in the field. During the landing on October 27 the beaches were subjected to very heavy shelling and mortar fire for about five hours after the initial landing had been made. This resulted in many casualties to personnel and damage to the ships that were unloading. Sapper Duncan during the whole of this tune, and with an utter disregard for his own personal safety, continued to operate his bulldozer on and in the close vicinity of the beaches in constructing tracks vitally necessary for the expeditious unloading of ammunition, stores, and equipment. His fine example was a very steadying influence on the unloading and carrying parties. Private Joseph Edward Smith (wife, Mrs E. M. Smith, Waiheke Island, Auckland), for gallant conduct. During a-determined enemy attack on Soanotalu on November 2 Private Smith was with a party of 10 men, including one officer and one staffsergeant, which defended a small beach on Soanotalu. The defenders were considerably outnumbered. When the officer and staff-sergeant had been mortally wounded and the situation was at its worst, Private Smith took command, and by his resolute action and calmness kept the defence intact. Finally, after five hours’ fighting, the party completely annihilated that portion of the enemy force which had penetrated to the beach. Corporal Frederick Arthur Armstrong (wife, Mrs Armstrong, Napier). On November 5, Corporal Armstrong as a member of a fighting patrol from his battalion was acting as points scout with Sergeant Llala, a native guide, when a Japanese fired at Llala, whose rifle jammed when he tried to return the fire. Corporal Armstrong ran towards the Japanese and shot him at close quarters. The Japanese was not killed and fell down a cliff. The men who followed him discovered a strong Japanese party armed with a light machine-gun. rifles, and grenades in a series of caves on the seashore. In the ensuing action in which 10 Japanese were killed and one was captured. Corporal Armstrong displayed an ansolute disregard of his personal safety and by his courage and leader-

ship inspired his section. One of the enemy was hidden in a cave from where he was able to shoot and kill Sergeant Baird. Fire could not be brought to bear on him and when grenades were thrown into the cave he scooped them out. Corporal Armstrong then took two grenades and, crawling down the cliff to a ledge above the cave, he pulled the pm from a grenade held it for three seconds and then tossed it into the cave He repeated this with the second grenade, and then jumped into the cave to find the Japanese dead. Had it not been for Corporal Armstrong’s action the casualties suffered by the patrol would in all probability have been heavier. „ , „ .. Private Edward Valentine Owen (wife, Mrs M. A. Owen, Tauranga), for bravery in the field. During and subsequent to the landing on Treasury Island Private Owen, who is a man of 40, has shown outstanding diligence to duty. During the Treasury Island campaign he landed with the assaulting companies and immediately carried out a daring reconnaissance. As a result of this he led a fighting patrol against a strongly-held enemy post. During the attack on the post, and with a total disregard for his own personal safety, he advanced and threw a grenade into the post, which enabled the rest of the patrol to close in. He has since been most active on patrols into enemy territory, the results of which have on several occasions enabled the battalion to effect adjustments to the line held. His devotion to duty and his example have been an inspiration to all ranks.