Private Angus Morrison was with the 26th Infantry Battalion when it attacked German positions near Enfidaville, Tunisia, on Anzac Day, 1943. One of the soldiers taking part in the attack described it in his diary, which was used by the Battalion's Official History:
Anzac Day — Easter Sunday — we raced across a bullet-swept gully and up onto the first ridge —heavy mortaring — literally a withering hail of MG fire — heavy casualties. Enemy calling out to us in English … many taunting remarks … ‘Come and get us Kiwi!’ … ‘We're coming you bastards!’ … Many unlocated MG posts ceased fire as we approached only to recommence firing when we had passed. More casualties from this unknown fire that was shooting men from behind. Subsequently dealt with by reserve platoon. Enemy defences in some depth.
PAGE 275Penetrated outer ring and were at close quarters. Bitter hand-to- hand fighting … shooting at point-blank range … grenades … even bayonet fighting occasionally in evidence. Fired point-blank at an officer who stood up in his trench to throw a grenade at me. Only two of us left in the section … isolated from the rest … temporarily dazed by another grenade which burst a short distance away … German mortar stonk on the area … on his own troops too … other bloke is wounded. Another MG post suddenly opened fire quite close to us … bullets began to spatter viciously … preparing to toss grenades at two Italians who appeared from nowhere … blinding flash … a soaring sensation … and a hard jolt … came to … Platoon sergeant (J. H. A. Cameron) ran over … looked a mess … half my clothes blown off … a flare shot up … we could see excited Italians down at the bottom of the hill … still surrounded … enemy yelling on us to surrender. We remained perfectly still. After a while decided to make a break for it … enemy ran up the hill after us, yelling and screaming as they came … stick bombs exploded behind us … my leg is broken … Cameron helps me on … we get there … only four of platoon left … at wounded collecting post…
Angus Morrison was officially posted as missing after the attack. In July, 1943, he was posted as killed in action.
IN MEMORIAM
MORRISON. — In loving memory of Angus James Morrison, killed in action in Tunisia, April 25, 1943.
— Inserted by his father, mother, and family, and brother-in-law (overseas). -Otago Daily Times, 24/4/1945.
Oamaru Cemetery.
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