VICIOUS TACTICS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20661, 12 January 1942, Page 5

VICIOUS TACTICS

ITALIANS IN LIBYA WHITE FLAG ABUSED N.Z. BAYONET CHARGE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent.) (Reed. Jan. 12, noon.) CAIRO, Jan. 11. . Italian treachery was. time and again brought home in full force to the New Zealanders in the Libyan campaign. An officer of the Wellington Battalion told me to-day the story of the vicious tactics of the Italians when the New Zealand Fifth Brigade was making history in its brilliant attack on Gazala. New Zealand 25 pounders and Vickers machine-guns hammered at the Italian defences with relentless accurate fire. The New Zealanders found their way to the objective temporarily barred by Italian machinegun nests, anti-tank guns being employed as infantry weapons. Like the poor fighters they are, the Italians soon crumpled under the sustained New Zealand attack. At no stage in the New Zealanders part in the campaign did the Italians fight when the opposition showed any real devil. Treacherous Shooting On this occasion, as on many others, the white flag of surrender was quickly hoisted. The fire of the New Zealanders ceased and two Bren carriers moved towards the Italians. When the carriers were 50yds. away from the enemy, an Italian anti-tank gun barked. A New Zealand Brengun carrier sergeant had been treacherously killed. ' Quickly the carriers withdrew. The Wellington Battalion commander, watching through binoculars, immediately gave the order for a bayonet charge. Enraged by the Italian treachery, the Hawke’s Bay Company,led by a young Hastings land agent who was a platoon commander, went to the attack. He used a captured German rifle and bayonet. In terror, the Italians threw their hands in the air. as the New Zealanders, grim and relentless, drove on. Nine'ty-six Italian prisoners were brought back. It had been a brilliant bayonet charge, but did no,t win full- marks at the time. The congratulations to those-who took part came later.