FREE PASSES FOR RETURNED MEN

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 115, 27 March 1942, Page 5

FREE PASSES FOR RETURNED MEN

Availability Extended

The New Zealand' Returned Services’ Association has received a letter from Army Headquarters intimating that the Minister pt Defence has approved, where circumstances warrant it, the extension of the period of availability of a free railway pass issued to returnd men. At present this pass, which may be used for any consecutive 28 days over the Dominion’s railway system, is valid for 12 months from the soldier’s return. The extension follows representations by the association.

sist with outstanding courage. Throughout all the operations-Lieutenant-Colonel Shuttleworth behaved with remarkable skill and coolness. His personal courage and leadership were an inspiration to all his troops and were largely responsible for the magnificent achievement of the battalion.

Major Royal has a continuous re cord in Greece,> Crete and Libya of bold and fearless leadership. In an action at Gazala on December 14 he led his men in a night attack. After sweeping through the first fort, he reformed his men and went through the main fort, taking the enemy in the rear. He was then given charge of the organizing against a coun-ter-attack. This he did effectively, himself occupying the most forward and a very dangerous position, where he was wounded. Doctor’s Courage. •Captain Carswell was at El Duda on November 27 and 28. There was no sheltered position for the medical aid post, and tending the casualties involved moving from slit trench to slit trench, despite the bursting of shells. Captain Carswell had no hesitation in attending to the wounded, and at the same time his cheerfulness was an inspiration to the wounded men, and his complete disregard of personal danger an example to all ranks who saw him working quietly and efficiently.. • Constant calls for assistance to nearby units were answered by Captain Carswell, who saved many lives. Throughout the fighting in Greece, Crete and Libya, his courage never ‘faltered, and his bearing has been an example to all ranks in the battalion at particularly difficult times.

As th 6 result of Captain Pemberton’s initiative and gallantry, a German tank, two vehicles, and nine prisoners were captured near Belhamed in the first light of November 29. The enemy tanks during the night had parked in front. Captain Pemberton went forward and one opened fire, but he rushed in and. attacked with a hand grenade, which exploded on the turret. The tank moved rapidly away. A covering party opened fire, and the remaining tank and other vehicles and crews surrendered. Despite the unequal combat, the offensive spirit and courage of Captain Pemberton turned the encounter in his favour. Captain Staveley commanded an advanced dressing station throughout the very heavy fighting from November 23 to December 1. On only three of these nine days was he in touch with the remainder of his field ambulance, and was therefore compelled to treat and often hold in his station very many more patients than usual. Captain Staveley showed great resource in organizing. He and his staff wfere at all times overworked, and frequently exposed to hostile tire and in danger of capture. On December 1. indeed, the station was completely over-run, and . Captain Staveley was wounded severely. Throughout the trying period he displayed such personal courage, coolness, professional skill, resourcefulness, and continuous devotion to duty that he was directly responsible for saving the lives of many who wo'uld otherwise have died from their wounds. His example was an inspiration to the staff and* his large number of patients. Action At Menastir. Lieutenant Donald showed his courage, leadership and devotion to duty at Menastir on November 24 when he led a platoon to obtain valuable information under heavy fire, going himself a short distance from the outer Bardia defences. Three days later in a forward position under heavy enemy fire, he suffered burst eardrums but remained with his platoon. His personal courage and devotion inspired his men to the successful defeat of the enemy. On December 9 at Musaid his platoon routed a strong enemy patrol. Many of the enemy were killed and two officers and three men taken prisoner. Under heavy and accurate fire at close range Lieutenant Donald withdrew his men, prisoners and captured .material, without a casualty. Throughout Greece and Crete and the remainder of the Libyan campaign his courage, devotion and leadership has been an inspiration to his men. Lieutenant Reeves during an attack at Bardia on December 30 was in command of troops and light tanks. Securing a number of dummy tanks, he placed them in position close to the enemy wire. Drove his own tanks in among the dummies and opened fire on the enemy positions. By the skilful use of smoke by constantly changing his position he deceived the enemy into believing that a large

force of tanks was opposed to him at that particular point. His action was so successful that the enemy dropped more than 250 shells nearby. During this heavy shelling he maintained his; position and continued the action against the enemy Later he advanced with his three tanks, again under heavy fire, amt captured more than 100 prisoners. He showed the greatest disregard of danger and his initiative and constant aggressive action set an example of the very highest order. Second-Lieutenant Cottrell on tin evening of November 24 was in charge ot vehicles loading supplies when the depot was threatened by the enemy. Lieutenant Cottrell tried to get the convoy away, but there were flares all round. Throughout the night the enemy searched tor him with Vercy lights and flares. At first light Lieutenant Cottrell moved but soon met enemy vehicles, which he captured, taking 14 German prisoner. By his initiative, determination and courage Lieu tenant Cottrell forced his convoy through having for most of the journey no pro tection other than his speed, alertness and skill. Capture and Escape. Second Lieutenant Clubb, during an attack at Sidi Rezegh on the night of November 26, found himself and his platoon caught in heavy machinegun and mortar fire. With nine men he opened lire, causing 12 of the enemy to surrender, but later his party Was captured by a stronger force. Lieutenant Clubb witn two of his men broke away and rejoined, his battalion, bringing extremely useful information. On the night of Novembei 30 when some of the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Battalions were withdrawing from Sidi Rezegh, and the actingbattalion commander had been captured,

Lieutenant ’Club!) took command of the force, withdrawing without casualties. Throughout the campaign his leadership was of a very high order and he displayed complete disregard of personal danger. Sergeant Batty was at Bel Hamid on the morning of December 1, when troops and artillery were forming up to be led to a new position. Sergeant Batty, with a gun and tractor, had nearly reached his post when-he was subjected to a hail of tank shells. Single-handed, he engaged eight tanks at long range. Now the rest of the troop were ready for action, but the tanks, not relishing the fate of their leader, made off. The prompt and determined action by Sergeant Batty in accepting battle single-handed undoubtedly saved the remainder of the troop, who were reforming and unable to accept a tank attack from that particular quarter. Sergeant Hobbs's skill, dash, great resource and great personal courage were an inspiration in Libya. Through several patrol actions he gained information, enabling heavy losses of weapons and men to be inflicted on the enemy. During a heavy German attack at Fort Capuzzo on November 27, he led a Bren gun carrier section in a flank counter-attack. Despite heavy enemy mortar, artillery, machinegun and anti-tank fire, he carried the Hanking thrust through, and the enemy attacking formation was turned and swept back. This daring move by Sergeant Hobbs allowed our infantry to counter- attack and destroy a large force of enemy infantry in the centre of the Capuzzo defences. On December 11 Sergeant Hobbs brought a section of carriers through heavy, fire to support another company in a successful attack. His gallantry and leadership in this action were worthy of the highest praise.