MAORIS SHATTER LULL

Southland Times, Issue 24834, 28 August 1942, Page 5

MAORIS SHATTER LULL

ATTACK ON ITALIANS (Official War Correspondent) WESTERN DESERT, August 26. The Maori Battalion early this morning shattered the “lull” on the Alamein front with an attack on two companies of Italians occupying a strong strategic position off the western end of Ruweisak Ridge. The New Zealand artillery paved the way with a barrage of over 3000 rounds in 10 minutes concentrated on an area of 1000 by 500 yards. 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 the enemy positions. Promptly at 4 o’clock this morning the Maoris set out from the starting line in a northerly direction under cover of what was probably the heaviest artillery fire this campaign has known. Their advance was from 800 to 1000 yards with two companies, the third company being in reserve. By the time the 10-minute barrage had ended with two smoke shells from each gun the Maoris had passed through a mine-field and 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 fire and confused by the spectacle • of yelling Maoris in their midst with bayonets and Tommy-guns. They made a poor fight of it and the escarpment on which they had their positions had been completely cleared when the signal was given at 4.35 a.m. for the withdrawal. Our guns had continued to fire throughout the operation on areas in the vicinity. I followed the night’s activities m 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 a battle,” was the brigadier’s cautious reply. “Whatever happens we will have got in first.” Later Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg arrived with the new corps commander and set out for the Maoris’ lines. They visited one of the companies, the corps commander saying to the Maori

Battalion on his return: “I like your men—l found them all smiles and in great heart.” The 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, checked 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 a remark from one: ■ “That’s your last, boy.”

MAORIS GO INTO ACTION The men had had explained to them by their colonel carefully and in detail the plans of attack. The troops moved to the starting line. At 4 o’clock to a 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 even more deafening explosions as shells found their mark. Spraying sparks from 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. The withdrawal signals were shot into the air and we waited expectantly. At 4.40 a.m. the shelling ceased, but the enemy mortar fire fell harmlessly on their own counter-offensive lines. Before long the Maoris had returned with their prisoners. One officer said: “There was no need for smoke—the dust from the shelling was thick enough.” “If only I had had sheepdogs I 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. Engineers destroyed numerous small calibre guns.

LULL MAY END SOON Bth Army Again Strong (8.0.W.) RUGBY, August 26. Messages from Cairo in the past 24 hours indicate that the present lull in Egypt may shortly end. As Mr Churchill told the officers the men of the Royal West Kent Regiment on his recent visit to the El Alamein scene of operations "great events are afoot.” Whether General Sir Harold Alexander or FieldMarshal Erwin Rommel will make the first move none can foretell, but undoubtedly the moment is rapidly approaching. In addition to the increasing Royal Air Force activity in the last few days the Luftwaffe, which has been suspiciously quiet recently, has also renewed its efforts. Each side, therefore, is evidently expecting a speedy move from the other and is preparing accordingly. It is felt both in Cairo and in London that when the struggle does start the newly acquired supplies both of manpower and material will be the dominating factor and that the army which has been best able to employ the lull in refitting and replenishing will begin with a definite advantage. At first sight it would appear that General Alexander has been handicapped in this race by Field-Marshal Rommel’s shorter supply routes, but the unceasing attacks by the Royal Air Force on Benghazi and other ports and the toll taken of German shipping in the Mediterranean as well as calls from the Russian Front have all had a considerable effect on German reinforcements. It is known, too, that replacements of men, guns, tanks and planes have been rushed to the help of the Bth Army at an astonishing speed in the past six weeks and that today that army is again strong and well equipped. The main question that arises is where Field-Marshal Rommel will strike should he seize the initiative. Some opinion is inclined to the view that he will attack on the northern sector with the idea of the rapid capture of Alexandria, but the opinion has also gained ground that he may make an attempt on the edge of the Quattara Depression where the terrain offers good going. Whichever course he may take General Alexander will need all his tactical powers and all his iron determination, but there is no doubt that every eventuality has been adequately taken into account