MAORIS ATTACK

Evening Star, Issue 24285, 28 August 1942, Page 3

MAORIS ATTACK

STRONG POSITION STORMED

ACTION ON RUWEISAT RIDGE

(jN.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent.)

WESTERN (DESERT, Aug. 26,

The Maori Battalion early this morning shattered the lull on the El Alamein front with an attack on two companies of Italians occupying a strong strategic position oft the western end of the Ruweisat Ridge. New Zealand artillery paved the way with a barrage of over 3,000 rounds in 10 minutes of concentrated fire on an area of I,sooyds. The Maoris returned to their lines, as planned, with a good haul of prisoners. Their casualties were very light. The attack was made after careful and daring reconnaissances. One of these was made by the Maoris’ commander, a colonel, the previous night, when he penetrated the wire just outside enemy positions. Promptly at 4 o’clock this morning the Maoris set out from the starting lino in a northerly direction under cover of what was probably the heaviest artillery fire this campaign has known. Their advance was from 800yds to I,oooyds with two companies, the third company being in reserve. By the time the 10-minute barrage had ended with two smoko shells from each gun, the Maoris had passed through a minefield and the wire and were on their objective. Engineers had blown gaps in the wire and searched the ground for anti-personnel mines. ITALIANS IN CONFUSION. The Italians were either dazed or in utter confusion—dazed by the tremendous weight of our artillery tire and confused by the spectacle of yelling Maoris in their midst with bayonets and tommy guns. They made a poor light of it, and the escarpment on which they had positions had been completely cleared when the signal was given at 4.35 a.m. for withdrawal. Our guns had continued to fire throughout the operations on areas in the vicinity. I followed the night’s activities in company with a brigadier from Rangiora who has the Maori Battalion under his command. Early in the evening I heard the plan of attack explained to the colonel of another battalion. “ I reckon it will shake them to the back teeth,” he said upon hearing the extent of the artillery barrage. “ You don’t know what’s going to happen in battle,” was the brigadier’s cautious reply. “-'Whatever happens, we will have got in first.” MAORIS’ HIGH MORALE,

Later, G eneral Sir Bernard Frey berg arrived with tho now corps commander, and set out for the Maoris’ lines. They visited one of the companies, the corps commander saying to the Maori Battalion on their return: “ 1 like your men—l found them all smiles and in great heart.” Brilliant moonlight had been dulled by a cloudy sky when the troops moved to the assembly point at 2 o’clock. The only sound was the distant thud of artillery fire further north. One of the faithful Wellington bombers, clearly outlined against the sky, passed overhead from its task. Ambulances were in readiness. The colonel, with a tommy gun slung over his shoulder, cheeked the details with his officers, while the brigadier walked among the men. The men were in splendid form —cheery and unconcerned. One group softly hummed a tune. There was many a subdued laugh. The angry snarl of a distant machine-gun burst brought the remark from one: “That’s your last, boy.” The men had had explained to them by their colonel carefully and in detail the plans of the attack. The troops moved to the starting line. At 4 o’clock to the second the quiet was rent by a blast of artillery fire. A seemingly endless stream of shells screamed overhead. The terrific din was punctuated by oven more deafening explosions ns the shells found their mark. The spraying sparks of exploding shells showed that the troops had reached the wire. The artillery fire continued to be heavy, but nothing like those tremendous 10 minutes. The rattle of small-arms fire was heard intermittently. PRISONERS TAKEN.

Withdrawal signals shot into the air, and we waited expectantly. At 4.40 a.in. the shelling ceased, but enemy mortar fire fell harmlessly on their own counter-offensive lines. Before long the Maoris had returned with prisoners. Said one officer: “ There was no need for smoke—the dust from the shelling was thick enough.” “ If only we had had sheep dogs we could have rounded them all up,” said another. Mortar fire had been encountered from positions behind the objective, but it was not serious, and only a few machine-gun posts opened up ' during the advance. The engineers destx-oyed numerous small-calibre guns.

SITUATION -QUIET AGAIN

(British Official Wireless.)

(Rec. 9.55 a.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 27. A Middle East communique states: There was nothing to report yesterday from the laud forces. There was smallscale air activity in the battle area, but onr long-range fighters again successfully attacked enemy supply vehicles on the coastal road.

RAID ON ABBEVILLE

GERMAN AIRFIELD ATTACKED (British Official Wireless.) (Ree. W.fa a.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 27. An Air Ministry communique states; •'Soon after midday a squadron of Bostons, escorted by a strong force of fighters, bombed the German airfield at Abbeville, and bursts were seen on runways and in dispersal areas. One Boston was hit by anti-aircraft fire and lost one member of its crew, who was killed. Tho other two were wounded, and were rescued from the sea. Fighters had combats with enemy fighters, and three enemy machines were destroyed. Nine of our fighters are missing.”"