The 2nd NZ Division and two of its favourite sons are New Zealanders of the Year for their magnificent contribution to the defeat of General Rommel in North Africa.
It was a hard fight. The division suffered a setback at Ruweisat Ridge and the El Mreir Depression in July when, although they achieved their objectives in night attacks, they were left with no choice but to surrender for lack of armoured support.
Ruweisat Ridge is remembered for acts of valour by two men: Sergeant Keith Elliott who was awarded a Victoria Cross for going to the aid of a seriously wounded officer in the face of overwhelming opposition and Captain Charles Upham who was awarded a bar to the VC he received for action on Crete.
"New Zealand can take pride in the material contribution the division has made and is making toward the Eighth Army's crushing victory over the Afrika Korps," said the Herald in November 1942.
