N.Z. DIVISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1943, Page 4

N.Z. DIVISION

ADVANCE TO TRIPOLI STORY OF OPERATIONS. LAST STAGES OF JOURNEY. (Official News Service, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO,, February 17. In the first cold light of January 15 the battle between the New Zealand fighting columns and the Germans holding the defence lines in Tripolitania began, while the Highlanders, with armoured support, pressed along the coast. The -New Zealanders, with the British armoured forces, advancing ahead of the main columns of guns and artillery, crossed the sandy ridges to meet the German troops in the Wadi Zem Zem area, while sweep after sweep of R.A.F. fighters watched overhead. The tank battle which raged was across country as arid and rocky as any in North Africa. The New Zealand guns raced forward in support of our armour, and gradually the German forces withdrew to the west of Buerat. The position was turned, and the enemy showed no inclination to fight. Nevertheless, the enemy manoeuvred with skill behind a series of rearguards. There were several brisk actions between tanks and artillery on both sides, but the enemy always withdrew when the New Zealanders deployed on through the desert in a mighty circular sweep. NEW ZEALANDERS ADVANCE. The New Zealanders moved toward Tripoli. The chief obstacle to progress was the broken nature of the country, precipitous wadis, soft hummocky desert, and narrow defiles through the Jebel Ranges. The enemy impeded our advance by demolitions and minefields. The engineers, however, cleared miles of country, bypassed demolitions, and improved mountain roads. At one stage it seemed the enemy had chosen Ben Ulid, an Italian colonial outpost, as a point.where they would make a stand. Our armour pushed forward, and after a brief engagement forced the enemy to retreat. It was not until the New Zealanders reached the outskirts of Tarhuna, a village on the outskirts of the green Jebel country, that they met any real organised opposition. A pocket of German guns set on the hills about Tarhuna was effectively by-pass-ed, but’out in the small sand sea beyond the road the New Zealand columns were temporarily halted by tank lines across the path. Tanks and guns swept forward to engage the enemy. The German armour withdrew, to appear again near Azizia. Patrols of the Maoris crept ahead and watched the enemy. We prepared to attack on the last line of defence before Tripoli, but did not need to’ attack. By the first light of next day the remnants of 'the Fifteenth Panzer Division had fled. A few shells from mortars landed among our transport on the night of the twenty-second was the only opposition met on the final stages of the advance on Tripoli.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT TRIPOLI. On January 23 the New Zealand cavalry and troops on the Fifth New Zealand Brigade entered Tripoli. This completed the phase of successful fighting which the New Zealanders started just on three months ago. They are now resting in pleasant surroundings, taking advantage of the unlimited water supply to clean up after a tiring three months’ campaign in the desert with a short supply of brackish water and hard battle rations, but theii spirits are high. They know they played a vital part in capturing Mussolini’s Empire, for so long the goal of the Eighth Army. Their parade for Mr Churchill was a fitting climax, and his words to the men of New Zealand was a tribute which made them feel well satisfied with their achievements.