Only Hours from Tripoli..At Azizia The Maori Carriers Leading..

On the 22nd of January 1943 after a long haul past Nofilia and the Agheila line the now massive allied 8th Army arrived on the distant outskirts of the ancient city of Tripoli near a town called Azizia.With hundreds of beautifull palm trees,so refreshing to see after two months of desert,the excitment was building,Tripoli was like something held in hope for ages,like a fairy tale.

At about 8pm after some Divisional Cavalry scout reconnaissance Lt. Gen. Freyberg often being seen coming and going from the front cautiously decided to allow the Scots Grey Armoured Brigade Shermans to lead with the Maori Battalion carrier platoon in behind, one of them containing 5 Brigade CO Brigadier Kippenberger riding with his YMCA mate Charlie Bennett.

The convoy pass into and through the small town of Azizia, on exit from this town someway to find part of the scouting 15th German Panzer Gruppe with scout cars and its half tracked infantry mobiles carrying the ubiquitous "88s" quietly camped in the olive groves behind the palms.

Captains Pene and Hayward were asked to send the Maori carriers forward for closer inspection spotting at least two German armoured cars scuffling around on his left flank with one firing automatic fire at the carriers immediately (acting on orders using chosen flare colours to advise Div HQ) ordering CSM (Bully) Harawira to fire red flares to signal to the 8th Army convoy that there were enemy nearby.

This outstanding photo taken from the second leading carrier by Captain Hayward is of the discovery of the scouting German Panzer Gruppe and combined units and the initial response. After a colourfull tracer ridden skirmish including German mortar rounds some casualties were taken by Lt. Pene's company,who with the usual Maori enthusiam had to be retrieved fearing he may well be attempting to win this dangerous squabble with his single carrier crew. By 3am with no further advance, orders were given to retreat somewhat and wait until daybreak.

Morning revealed the 15th Panzer Gruppe its scout cars and half-track 88mm weapon force had gone! Thus allowing the 35 mile long single file Army to pass unchallenged through the abandoned town of Azizia then on to the Bonito Gates later that 23 January day.

Tripoli would prove a welcome and relaxing haven, although practically devoid of any pleasurable resources akin to Cairo, including alcohol and a variety of good foods, but it did have lovely clean spring water and large amounts and various types of beautifull fresh fruit. Tripoli also provided welcome desert free time to relax and wash the thick desert grime built up over the 1200 mile journey and ocean swim.. play sport...sleep and sight see this ancient Roman city.

I would like to quote Captain Haywards words regarding the above photo he shot from his carrier which along with the usual roaming Divisional Calvary scout cars and Scots Grey shermans were leading the entire 8th Army convoy.

These paragraphs are from the NZ Official Histories, 28th (Maori) Battalion book written by Mr. J.F. Cody and first published in 1956. Chapter 9 "Alamien To Tripoli" page 251.

Captain Hayward writes..

A few yards past the 1 kilo peg the front of my carrier was struck by MMG fire which appeared to be coming from an armoured car that was moving away from us. We held our course from the centre of the road for a while..I can recall my first reaction to the loud splatter of fire striking the carrier..poor show I know..but I thought, well, if I do have to stop a bullet to see the lights of Cairo again and rest without jumping every time a vehicle or motorbike backfired i'd prefer to have it in the right shoulder instead of stomach which was inline with my MG aperture approx. 300 by 250 mm. I made the necessary adjustment..Captain Pene and I then agreed that B company would advance on the left on the roadway..how ever the lights faded and we smartly jumped out and "took to the bush"

End of Quote.

Tunisia with Medenine,Tebaga gap and Takrouna on the Enfadaville line were still yet to come.