NEWZEALANDERS DECORATED

Southland Times, Issue 24826, 19 August 1942, Page 5

NEWZEALANDERS DECORATED

Battalion Leader Gains D.S.O.

(Official War Correspondent) CAIRO, August 16. The commander of the Wellington Battalion which led the New Zealanders’ advance when they crashed their way through the German panzer ring at Minqar Qaim on the night of June 27, Lieutenant-Colonel S. F. Hartnell, cf New Plymouth, has been given the immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order. Other immediate awards announced today are:— Military Cross.—Captain P. T. Norris, Geraldine; Captain R. A. Wilson, Christchurch. Military Medal.—Lance-Sergeant P. Mantle, Southampton, England; Corporal J. B. Midgley, Christchurch; Gunner W. F. Davis, Auckland; Gunner A. D. Paulger, New Plymouth; Private I. M. McQuarrie, Sydney; Private J. Milne, Temuka. Behind these awards are stories of gallantry. “Under extremely heavy fire Lieuten-ant-Colonel Hartnell’s battalion pushed forward and the success of the whole operation would have been jeopardized had it faltered in its advance,” says the citation. “The example of personal courage and coolness shown by Lieu-tenant-Colonel Hartnell was reflected in the attitude and actions of his men. The battalion was well handled throughout and Lieutenant-Colonel Hartnell showed himself to be a skilful commander.” “In command of a company when his battalion attacked at Ruweisak Ridge on the night of July 15 Captain Norris led his men forward under heavy machine-gun, mortar and shell-fire and despite stiff resistance pushed on to reach his objective. At first light enemy tanks counter-attacked. Captain Norris moved his infantry on to a high feature and prevented their capture by tanks. He consolidated the position and held it throughout the day. He displayed the greatest gallantry during the attack, says the citation, “and by his cool bearing and steadiness he set a splendid example to his men. His conduct throughout the whole campaign was deserving of the highest praise.” MEDICAL OFFICER’S BRAVERY “Captain Wilson, a medical officer, displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty when the position in which he was stationed was attacked on June 27. Because of the nature of the country his regimental aid post could not be moved, to a safe zone and lay under heavy' shellfire for eight hours. Captain Wilson remained at his post attending the wounded and carrying on under difficult and trying conditions. At one stage he went out under fire to bring in a wounded man. His whole bearing and conduct during the day was an inspiration to those around him. “When an enemy tank attack was launched on the New Zealand positions at Minqar Qaim on June 27 orders were issued to move the vehicles to another area. Sergeant Mantle, of a field artillery regiment, with Gunners Mullolly, Watkins and Gaskin, was repairing a damaged vehicle while enemy tanks fired on the area. Sergeant Mantle saw three of our anti-tank guns on portees without drivers. He stopped his vehicle and with Gunners Mullolly and Watkins drove the anti-tank guns out of the area. Sergeant Mantle showed initiative, leadership and courage of a high order and saved three guns for our use.”

“His devotion to duty and contempt of personal danger was an excellent example to his section,” says the citation covering the award to Corporal Midgley. “He was in command of a machine-gun section in an exposed forward position in the Quattara sector on July 2. The position was being heavily shelled when a party arrived with water rations. Corporal Midgley relieved the carrying party and took the stores round to his men himself. A near burst caught him while he was thus exposed and he was wounded.” AWARD TO GUNNER How he was wounded in the head and how he carried on firing his antitank gun is told in the citation covering the award to Gunner Davies of an anti-tank regiment. “His troop was engaged on July 15 at Ruweisak Ridge against 16 tanks which were attacking our infantry,” states the citation. “Three guns of the troop were knocked out, and after disabling one tank the layer of the fourth was hit. Gunner Davies took his place and hit two tanks, which burst into flames. He was then wounded in the head and jumped off the portee, but seeing two more tanks he climbed back with another gunner as No. 1 and destroyed them in flames. The gun was then hit and disabled and the two gunners made a difficult escape. Gunner Davies throughout the action showed outstanding courage and devotion.”

“Another gunner of an anti-tank regiment, Gunner Paulger, showed the greatest spirit and determination on Ruweisak Ridge on July 17,” states the citation. “Three guns of his troop were knocked out and a fourth Was bit and the ammunition set on fire. Gunner Paulger with another gunner continued to man the gun and set two tanks on fire. The portee was hit again and the two men jumped clear, but Gunner Paulger returned, dragged off the ammunition and put out the fire. His gun disabled, Gunner Paulger drove the portee to pick up wounded men. It was hit again and he was forced to stop. “When elements of the group to which Private McQuarrie was attached as a medical orderly had been overrun by German tanks on July 22 he obtained permission from the German commander to remain behind and attend the wounded. He was attached to the Wellington Battalion. Private McQuarrie gave first aid throughout the day with salvaged equipment. He collected the seriously wounded at a central point so that many lives were saved and later the evacuation of the wounded was greatly facilitated. Private McQuarrie at all times showed complete disregard of his own safety and carried out work under heavy shellfire from our own guns and tanks. As a result of his persistent demands the wounded were finally collected at midnight. He later made his way back through the enemy lines to the New Zealanders. “Leader of a section during an attack on the night of July 4 Private Milne maintained his platoon line under heavy small arms and mortar fire. At a critical stage of the attack he was wounded in the hip, but he refused assistance and continued to urge and cheer his men on. Under difficult circumstances he displayed a high standard of leadership and exceptional dash in action and a total disregard for his own safety.