"During the action at the Tebaga Gap on 26 March 1943, 2nd Lieutenant
Ngarimu commanded a platoon in an attack upon the vital hill feature,
Point 209. He was given the task of attacking and capturing an
under-feature forward of Point 209 itself and held in considerable
strength by the enemy. He led his men with great determination straight
up the face of the hill, undeterred by the intense mortar and
machine-gun fire, which caused considerable casualties. Displaying
courage and leadership of the highest order, he was himself first on the
hill crest, personally annihilating at least two enemy machine-gun
posts. In the face of such a determined attack the remainder of the
enemy fled, but further advance was impossible as the reverse slope was
swept by machine-gun fire from Point 209 itself. Under cover of a most intense mortar barrage the enemy
counter-attacked, and 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu ordered his men to stand to
and engage the enemy man or man. This they did with such good effect
that the attackers were virtually mown down, 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu
personally killing several. He was twice wounded, once by rifle fire in
the shoulder and later by shrapnel in the leg, and though urged by both
his company and battalion commanders to go out, he refused to do so,
saying that he would stay a little while with his men. He stayed until
he met his death the following morning. Darkness found this officer and his depleted platoon lying on
the rock face of the forward slope of the hill feature, with the enemy
in a similar position on the reverse slope about twenty yards distant. Throughout the night the enemy repeatedly launched fierce attacks in an
attempt to dislodge 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu and his men, but each
counter-attack was beaten off by 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu's inspired
leadership. During one of these counter-attacks the enemy, using hand
grenades, succeeded in piercing a certain part of the line. Without
hesitation this officer rushed to the threatened area, and those of the
enemy he did not kill he drove back with stones and with his Tommy-gun. During another determined counter-attack by the enemy, part of his line
broke. Yelling orders and encouragement, he rallied his men and led
them in a fierce onslaught back into their old positions. All through
the night, between attacks, he and his men were heavily harassed by
machine-gun and mortar fire, but 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu watched his line
very carefully, cheering his men on and inspiring them by his personal
conduct. Morning found him still in possession of the hill feature but
only he and two unwounded other ranks remained. Reinforcements were sent
up to him. In the morning the enemy again counter-attacked and it was
during this attack that 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu was killed. He was killed
on his feet defiantly facing the enemy with his Tommy-gun at his hip. As he fell he came to rest almost on top of those of the enemy who had
fallen, the number of whom survived testified to his outstanding courage
and fortitude."
From 2Lt. Ngarimu's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 1 June 1943.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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