GERMAN PRECAUTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 24827, 20 August 1942, Page 5

GERMAN PRECAUTIONS

LONDON, August 18.

The Germans have closed the Dutch coastal belt between the Hook of Holland and Scheveningen says a Stockholm message. Civilians have been compelled to evacuate their homes. The Evening News says: “All vociferous amateur strategists who know when, where and how a second front ought to be opened should now take a prolonged holiday. They can rest assured that every aspect and detail of a second front in Europe has been examined and thoroughly discussed at Moscow and that appropriate decisions have been taken.” He remained there under intense fire of all types directing the traffic. He was undoubtedly responsible for the fact that a large percentage of transport of both his own and other units kept to the right track and was not irretrievably lost. He was then knocked unconscious by a shell splinter, which dented his steel helmet, and when he recovered all the transport had disappeared. Although still suffering from shock, he walked through the enemy lines and by walking and riding where he could get lifts managed to get back to his own unit two days later, exhausted. In spite of his condition he insisted on resuming his duties immediately. EXAMPLE TO MEN When Sergeant Kennedy’s platoon commander was killed during the night attack on Ruweisak Ridge on July 14, he collected his men and fought on to the objective. When he arrived he found his company had been broken up, so he collected all he could and took command. In the evening enemy tanks over-ran the position. Sergeant Ken-, nedy kept control of his men, and when he saw the position could not be held he placed all his men on an abandoned portee and drove off under heavy fire. The portee was hit and some of the men were wounded. Sergeant Kennedy struggled on with his portee and eventually brought his men to safety. Throughout the action his conduct was a marvellous example to his men, says the citation. His fine leadership kept them together in very difficult circumstances.