BAD DAY FOR HUNS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1942, Page 4

BAD DAY FOR HUNS

ATTACKS ON NEW ZEALAND FORMATIONS NEAR MERSA MATRUH ENEMY INFANTRY & TANKS HAMMERED. ROMMEL'S CRACK TROOPS SUFFER HEAVILY. (From the Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) WESTERN DESERT, June 30. Five vicious attacks by Rommel’s 21st Panzer Division were flung back by the New Zealanders when formations from the New Zealand Division went into action near Mersa Matruh on Saturday. Two infantry attacks were first launched by the Hun, who, finding himself hard hit and suffering heavy casualties, followed up .with three successive tank attacks. Even then he failed to move the New Zealanders, who were in an excellent position on the high escarpment. After a hectic day, during which they hammered the enemy with 25pounders and anti-tank guns, the New Zealanders withdrew on Saturday night, in accordance with the genera.* plan. They found themselves surrounded by German guns, but by hard hitting they crashed their way through in the early hours of Sunday morning, the withdrawal being carried out smoothly. Later in the day, the New Zealanders had taken up new pre-arranged tioiis. „ , , Last Friday the New Zealanders moved from the Mersa Matruh area to the high escarpment, which runs east and west south of the Mersa Matruh township. This new area was completely occupied by the New Zealanders late on Friday night, when finishing touches were put the defensive positions. When dawn came on Saturday, a string of enemy columns were seen moving° to the north. They were identified as Rommel’s crack 21st Panzer Division. Quickly the enemy deployed, and launched attack after attack throughout the day. These attacks were just what the New Zealanders had been waiting for. They were in position on top of the escarpment, and, with a terrific firepower from 25-pounders and anti-tank guns, they hammered the Hun mercilessly. Two infantry attacks were first launched by the Hun on two New Zealand formations, one under the command of a Timaru brigadier and the other commanded by an Auckland solicitor and Lieutenant-Colonel. When the Hun failed to make the slightest impression on the fierce New Zealand defence, he decided to use his tanks in a straight-out tank attack. Three separate attacks were launched,; from the east, south-east and southwest. against formations commanded by a Timaru brigadier and a Rangiora brigadier. On every occasion the tanks were driven back by the New Zealanders. When night fell, the New Zealanders found themselves surrounded by German guns. The New Zealanders were given instructions to withdraw. They decided that the best method was to crash their .way through, and with a swift attack they punched a gap in, the panzer circle and withdrew. In the course of the day, the New Zealand 25-pounders crashed at the enemy as columns circled in bewildering movements, presenting themselvts as perfect artillery targets. German prisoners caotured by the Nev/ Zealanders revealed that their casualties were heavy. The fact that the New Zealanders were in the battle was complete surprise to them, they said. Unlike their formations in the Baffle cf Libya last November, when they fought as brigade groups, supported by tanks, 25-pounders, anti-tank, antiaircraft and machine-guns, the New Zealanders this time have been organised into what are described as battle groups. For obvious reasons the dispositions of the New Zealanders cannot be described. but it can be said that the troops are better equipped than evei before. The New Zealanders have had little training in the tactics now being used by the Eighth Army against Rommel. but, with (he adaptability for which they have won a reputation in the Middle East, they have settled down to the new scheme of attack and defence swiftly and efficiently.