FIFTH BRIGADE PRAISED

Southland Times, Issue 24652, 26 January 1942, Page 6

FIFTH BRIGADE PRAISED

SPLENDID WORK AT GAZALA “GLAMOUR BOYS” OF N.Z.E.F. (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) CAIRO, January 22. Out of touch with the greater part of the Division during the Libyan action, little was heard of the activities of the New Zealand Fifth Brigade until they became frontpage news in the papers of the world with the brilliant attack on Gazala. Before that they had fought several solid actions around the Bardia-Sollum sector, where they were left behind when the 4th and 6th Brigades moved in to desperate fighting at Sidi Rezegh. Known throughout the Division as “the glamour boys” because of their trip to England the sth Brigade made brilliant pages in history at Gazala just as the 4th and 6th Brigades did at Sidi Rezegh and Belhamid. Recognition of their grand fighting is contained in a tribute from Lieutenant-General God-win-Austin, commander of the 13th Corps who wrote the following letter to Major-General Freyberg: “I hope you will yourself accept, and convey to all ranks under your command, my warm appreciation of the skill, determination and courage in which your operations in the Gazala area have been conducted. Your brigade has enhanced the remarkable reputation enjoyed by New Zealand Forces. Your operations have contributed in a considerable degree to the favourable development of the general plan of operations. That plan could never, in fact, have had its present prospects of .success but for your achievements. Your commanders have operated cleverly; your troops have fought gallantly.” The sth Brigade were the first New Zealanders in action in the Libyan campaign and the last infantry to come out. Their last spectacular action was when they rushed in with the bayonet to attack concrete emplacements, bristling with Italian machine-guns and mortars, and started Rommel’s panzers on the run. Once that had been accomplished and Rommel s troops were fleeing, the New Zealanders were withdrawn. Their brilliant part in the Libyan campaign had ended.