BLAZING GUNS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 18, 18 February 1942, Page 8

BLAZING GUNS

BATTLE IN THE DESERT

DEALING WITH NAZI

Incidents of the early stages of the Libyan offensive arc described by Lance-Sergcant C. G. Sinclair, of Wellington, in a letter to his parents. The writer, an artilleryman pays a warm tribute to the work performed by the infantry.

"The warfare was different from that in Greece, and, despite excellent air support, more exciting," he writes. "The R.A.F. was great; strong patrols were constantly overhead. It was good to see squadrons of .bombers going over—this time with the right markings. Our unit was bombed only once, and it was quite ineffective. The New Zealand ack-ack artillery was very good. ."As a troop, battery and regiment, we, of course, supported the infantry, and, during an attack from the rear, ourselves. We had a couple of tank battles and came off very well. Our unit had only a few casualties, thanks largely #to well-chos-en gun positions. "During the show we had one water bottle each per tl'ay for all purposes—drinking, shaving, washing and for a couple 1 of meals. Actually, we managed quite well. Trek to "The Wire"

"From our position in the Western Desert we made a long trek to* 'the wire' which marked the Libyan border. I have never seen a more remarkable sight—impressive and indescribable —than the one made by those seemingly countless veliiclcs crossing that barren country. As far as the eye could see the desert was crawling. We crossed the border and headed north. Our first action occurred on an escarpment southwest of Bardia, where we supported the infantry in successful operations. From this point we eventually moved a long the escarpment in the direction of Tobruk. At one place we saw the light of a German position, which Ave passed, and which was later captured. We saw (by day) tented camps which the enemy had hurriedly evacuated. The country was undulating, scrubby, and bore tt lew trees. East e,f Tobruk we met a large Hun force and went into action. This developed into our main engagement, and the infantry (and other units) did some great work. The footsloggers have earned the admiration jf all. We fought from four positions in this area. In the first we were on the fringe of a tank battle, of which Ave saw only milling tanks on a crest. We used 'indirect laying' and saAV nothing of our opponents—except the 'overs' fired at our tanks. We put . down some heavv concentrations in aid of our

infantry. Front Line —At the back Our last position was in a wide shallow wadi, several miles long, with low crests at either side. With the Huns between us and the Tobruk force Ave were in this position for several days, and were giving than we were receiving when a second German force moved up behind us. Our infantry continued with its job, while Ave reversed our guns and engaged the new enemy. Thus, Ave Avere in the front line—at the back, as it were. There Avere a feAV rifles and machine guns at the battery, but nothing betAveen us and the enemy. Soon infantry attempted to cross the wadi and Ave pasted them hard. Then 12 tanks appeared and, forming up in the wadi. attempted to. advance. At about 2000 yards they stopped; Ave bashed. aAvay at each other, and an exciting time Avas had by all. Twelve tanks can develop fairly heavy fire, but our blokes gaA r e the Huns all they Avanted. Three times they tried to advance. Eventually the survivors decided to> fire from long range. Guns and tanks selected individual targets nnd we blazed away until dusk. Avhen the Germans Avithdrew.

At Close Range Next afternoon we were sitting around the guns, between tasks, when sixteen enemy tanks appeared. A\ e decided in ihein have a ge at close range. Then, while we waited, they ambled oil, disappearing over the crest. Evidently they were to :ry a thinking attack., 1Jj?« gave the /.mops on m;r right most ol the work, which Lhey did well. Seme tanks round to lhe rear, >o Ave finished v. ith two, guns ol tJic* troop faring on way and the other two .''ring on ihe opposite direction. Finally we t,rove the enemy off. That night we were relieved and withdrew from the battle. (Continued in next column)

The show was a great experience; looking at it in retrospect I am glad I was there. It was certainly grim at times, but the spirit of the chaps was wonderful. No one could have wished for better work and all-round co-operation.