DOCTOR’S RUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 65, 19 March 1943, Page 2

DOCTOR’S RUSE

IGNORED THREATS SALVAGED HIS WOUNDED London. Captain Samuel Bruce Thompson is the medical ofiicer who would not stay captured—and would not let his truckiu; oi wounded remain prisoners either. Here is the story, told in the official citation announcing that he has Deen awarded the D.S.O. When dayhgnt came after the attack on Kusiesat Ridge, Captain Thompson and his regimental aid post truck were close to where enemy tanks had over-run a New Zealand battalion, but despite the firing he went on picking up tne wounded. Then the trucK was captured, but still collected wounded as the Germans made it travel westward. But Captain Thompson decided to go no farther, and told his orderlies to unload the stretcher cases in spite of threats from the enemy, who sought to make him pick up only enemy wounded. While the Germans’ attention was diverted he had a vital part removed from the engine and buried in the sand—and the enemy was convinced the truck had broken down. “So Captain Thompson spent the day, under lire all the time, tending the wounded and using every argument to prevent them being removed oy the enemy. When evening came, he had the

part replaced in the truck’s engine, and drove back to his lines complete with all his party. And with the party were the three enemy soldiers who had been left to guard the truck!