DESERT EPIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1941, Page 4

DESERT EPIC

COURAGE OF STRANDED NEW ZEALANDER

AWARDED DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL.

ONE MAN DIES FROM WOUND & EXHAUSTION.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. April 12.

Stranded with three others in the Libyan desert, a New Zealander. Trooper Ronald Moore, Taihape, who led the party, preferred to walk 290 miles to his base rather than 80 miles to the nearest Italian outpost. Moore's companions were Guardsman Easton, who had a bullet-wound in the throat, Private Tighe and Guardsman Winchester. The party were returning from, a 700-mile patrol when the enemy attacked. They escaped, but lost their truck. Later they found a two-gallon tin of water dropped from the truck but no food. Tighe, on the fifth day, was exhausted and persuaded his companions to leave him behind. A French patrol found him on the sixth day and he was able to explain that his three companions were ahead. A French plane located Moore and Winchester, and a search party found Easton on the twelfth day, but he died soon afterward, as the result of his wound.

Winchester was found lying on the sand terribly exhausted and semidelirious. Moore was still farther ahead and appeared to be normal. He waved without stopping, because he was determined to reach his base in two more days.

Tighe and Winchester are now recovering. Moore hardly suffered any after effects.

The 8.8. C. reports that Trooper Moore has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.