GALLANT OFFICER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1943, Page 2

GALLANT OFFICER

CAPTAIN A. S. HARDING, OF MARTINBOROUGH. . MILITARY CROSS WON IN ATTACK ON TAKROUNA. '■ It was reported in August last that Captain A. F. Harding, of Martinborough, had been awarded the Military Cross. The official citation states that the decoration was gained by Captain Harding in the attack on Takrouna, in Tunisia, on April 21. When Captain Harding, who was field observation officer with the infantry, reported from the southern crest of the Takrouna feature, which was covered by enemy fire from the higher central crest, the citation continues, “he established his observation post within fifty yards of the enemy. He diverted the fire of his guns on to a building occupied by the enemy immediately in front of him, and scored several direct hits. This covering fire enabled the infantry to charge and clear the high central crest of the feature. The crest came under heavy mortar fire, but Captain Harding engaged these mortars immediately and destroyed them. This prompt action enabled the infantry to remain on the feature, which was becoming untenable owing to the severe nature of the fire. Later in the afternoon Captain Harding engaged another mortar and silenced it. After an infantry attack on the lower village, Captain Harding brought down a heavy and accurate concentration which matterially assisted in the final occupation of the feature. His bravery and skill made possible the seemingly hopeless task of occupying the first high central (feature and finally the village and the forward slopes of Takrouna. He was continually under small arms and artillery fire, and throughout showed a splendid devotion to duty and an utter disregard of his personal safety. In addition, he carried out exceptionally difficult gunnery tasks with outstanding rapidity, resource and A