TANKS' SUCCESS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 170, 21 July 1942, Page 5

TANKS' SUCCESS

N.Z. CAVALRY ELATED

Threat To Southern Flank

Removed

Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F.

WESTERN DESERT, July 17. The men of the New Zealand Divisional Cavalry are highly elated over the performance of their Honev tanks during the past few hectic days. Their first success was against enemy positions in the southern sector—a high feature occupied by the infantry with the support of armoured vehicles. What had been intended as a reconnaissance patrol bv the Honevs developed into an attack "which removed a threat to our southern flank. Braving the fire of an enemy artillery squadron, five of our tanks drove the infantry off the feature and destroyed their vehicles.

The squadron is commanded by a major from Ota go. who was awarded the Military Cross when he was with a long-range desert group. One tank received a direct hit which filled the body with sparks and gave the crew a severe shanking. They were not hurt, however, and the tank was not damaged. The squadron followed up this success by shelling another position and inflicting many casualties. It was impossible to approach closer owing to the superior range and weight" of the enemy artillery.

The destruction of a heavy Gorman Mark IV. tank during the advance on Ruweisat Ridge was another triumph for three Honeys. They descended on their much more heavily armed opponent from two sides, getting away i;> shots to his bewildered and ineffective three. Immobilised, he became an easv target for the anti-tank gun which was called upon to finish him. There was beer for the crews that night— not much, but their colonel at least kept his promise of beer for the crew destroying the first enemy tank.

The Divisional Cavalry was active in clearing the ridge of enemy outposts and one of our groups collected a number of Italian prisoners. A few tanks were damaged by land mines, but all were recovered, one being towed under shellfire bv another tank. Within a few days all will be in service again.