THRILLING DASH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 175, 27 July 1942, Page 4

THRILLING DASH

N.Z. OFFICER FREE

AFTER 65-MILE DESERT TREK

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service)

CAIRO, July 25. A thrilling single-handed escape, followed by a gruelling 65-mile trek across the desert, with nothing to guide him except the stars, and with very little food and water and practically no sleep, was recently made by Captain R. R. T. Young, of Wellington, who is now back with his own battalion ready to fight another day.

The journey, which he made on foot, took four nights and four days. He could travel only at night, spending the days living under the scanty shelter of desert scrub, the probing rays of the fierce sun making sleep impossible.

This officer took part in the now celebrated advance on the night of July 14. His battalion obtained its objective, but next morning found its remnants surrounded by tanks, and many men were taken prisoner. Once rounded up, they were hurried off at a fast pace for 10 miles northwest under a strong guard. They were then placed in buses and driven across country to Addaaba, which was reached at 4 p.m. Once there the officers were searched and placed behind wire. The New Zealand captain, hoping even at that stage to make his escape, had mixed with the rank and file. While waiting they were told they were all to be taken to Mersa Matruh or Tobruk for shipment to Italy. Food in Guard Hnt In the meantime the officer, awaiting his chance, edged round the guard hut and managed to dart in. Finding it empty, he grabbed a water bottle, which was threequarters full of coffee. This he tipped into his own bottle and also picked up a packet of biscuits. Slipping out of the hut, he rejoined the file of waiting men and watched for the next opportunity. Not long afterwards he made a dash and dropped behind a pile of tin, where he lay unnoticed till almost dark, dozing while he lay. All that day he had had nothing to eat and only a little water to drink. When he awoke he dodged the guard, crawled about 400 yards, crossed the railway, and headed south over the desert. Captain Young had no map, no compass, no watch, no arms, and what was most trying on his head during the succeeding days, he had no hat. Travelling by the stars, he went 15 miles due south for two nights, spending the days lying beneath bracken and trying to ward off swarms of flies. He sighted only one enemy patrol during this time, but he was not noticed. At the end of the second day he was down to a single tablespoonful of coffee, though his biscuits and emergency ration were still almost untouched, owing to scarcity of liquid to go with them. Fonnd Italian Ambulance On the third night Captain Young started out early to try and find water, hoping to come across an Italian truck driver he might be able to intimidate. Instead he found a broken-down Italian ambulance, in which he discovered a tin of meat extract, which was very welcome. Before darkness he encountered a herd of camels, with Bedouins in charge, and was able to replenish his water supply. The New Zealander that night travelled ten miles south-east and ten east, still by the stars, arriving at daybreak behind what looked like an Italian echelon in a largish wadi. Captain Young had an anxious moment when he spotted one man coming out to seek him. He ducked behind a bush and the searcher, who did not seem very keen, retraced his steps, after a perfunctory glance around.

That day was the worst he experienced for heat and files. At night he made his way through the Italian lines. Once he was challenged, and at another time was hailed, but both times he was able to make a reply something akin to a German word or two, and got through. At three o'clock in the morning he arrived among the New Zealand Battalion, thoroughly exhausted.