IN ACTION AGAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 November 1941, Page 5

IN ACTION AGAIN

THE MAORI BATTALION HAKAS SOUND AT DAWN. IN SPECTACULAR ATTACK NEAR SOLLUM. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, November 23. Maori hakas broke through the dawn as the Maori Battalion of the New Zealand Division swarmed to a /spectacular attack near Solium this morning. Under heavy mach-ine-gun, anti-tank and artillery fire, the daring attack was launched. Solium is now without water, for the pipeline to it was cut by the New Zealanders four days ago. Heavy artillery fire from “Hellfire” Pass continues, but the Maori refuse to budge, and the Germans are shelling their own troops who are cut off in the Solium township. Screened by British tanks, the Maoris moved up under cover a pitch black night through the ruins of the old Fort Capuzzo, twice previously held by British and Imperial troops, and now held by New Zealanders. In front was a squadron of tanks paving the way for the main attack. In the early morning the tanks made a sortie toward strongly-defend-ed barracks overlooking Solium, which nestles in the bay at the foot of the hills. Heavy German artillery at “Hellfire” Pass laid down a solid barrage and forced the tanks to withdraw, but not before they had routed several German machine-gun posts in the barracks. Back went the tanks to the attack again, but they were again driven off by the German artillery. DEMORALISING CHARGE. When within a mile of Solium barracks, the Maori debussed and prepared for the main attack. Again our tanks' withdrew to let the Maoris through, and in the first grey light of dawn the Maoris with bayonets fixed and led by the commanding officer of the Maori Battalion, rushed to a swift and demoralising attack. It was not a bayonet charge, mortars and hand grenades were chief weapons of the attack, made in the face of the artillery barrage from “Hellfire,” and machinegun, rifle and anti-tank fire from the barracks.'

The -Maoris pressed on, and the Germans continued firing on them till they were at the very walls of the barracks. Then they threw up their hands in surrender. Many scattered in the confusion, and were chased down the road into Solium township, terrified by the blood-curdling yells of the Maoris.

Most of the solid fighting took place on a road leading from the barracks down into the township. It was short but desperate while it lasted. When the Germans realised they were up against inspired Maoris who knew no fear, they withdraw from the barracks and retreated smartly down the road. On and on went the Maoris till they had driven the enemy from valuable

high ground down into the township below. The prisoners captured in barracks by the Maoris total close on 150 Germans and Italians. NAZIS SHELL THEIR OWN MEN. “On the outskirts of Solium I stood watching the bombardment of the township from “Hellfire” Pass. All the old German ruthlessness was, again displayed, for he was shelling his own men in Solium as well as the Maoris. Back came the Maoris, the walking wounded laughing and triumphant. One young Maori with four German machine-gun bullets in his arm was impatient to have his wounds dressed and get back into the fray. Maoris were crouched against the walls of the barracks, sheltering from each burst of shellfire. Up and down the shelled Capuzzo-Sollum road Maori dispatch riders and trucks raced all morning. It was amazing that none was hit, for shells were bursting on the roadway all the time. Out of the barracks marched a column of grey and khaki-clad Italian and Germany prisoners escorted by half a dozen Maoris with bayonets fixed. Down the road they marched and into Capuzzo,