No. 5 Troop of B Squadron also turned tail a Tiger in a daring little action near II Pino on 31 July. The troop had been sent forward the day before to relieve A Squadron's No. 4 Troop and give close support to the Maori infantry. The Maoris' attack gained only about fifty yards, for the enemy laid his guns and mortars on them and had an SP gun and Tiger in support. The corporal's tank was hit by the Tiger's fire, its driver (Trooper Hampton), being killed and one of the crew wounded. The rest of the troop pulled back over the crest.
Cross laid some smoke in front of the corporal's tank and ‘hopped over to have a dekko’. He could see where the Tiger was lying, ‘beautifully camouflaged’, and brought his own tank round the side of the slope behind the knocked-out tank. Below the crest he lined up the turret on the Tiger's hideout and then moved quickly over the top into a firing position. The gunner immediately spotted his target and loosed off two rounds of American smoke, followed by five or six armour-piercing shells. Caught by surprise, the Tiger withdrew hurriedly, ‘much to our relief. Our last view was of an A.P. ricochetting off his turret so we felt we had at least given him a jar.’ -Official History of the 20th Armoured Regiment.
TROOPER JOHN M. HAMPTON.
Trooper John Moffatt Hampton was the elder son of Mrs K. S. Hampton, of 138 Havelock Street, Ashburton. He was born at Ashburton 24 years ago. Educated at the Hinds School, he was later a carpenter’s apprentice. Trooper Hampton was a keen footballer, playing for the Hinds Club. Before the war he was a member of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, and went overseas with the Tank Corps in July last year. His brother, L.A.C. K. H. Hampton, is serving with the Air Force in New Zealand. -Ashburton Guardian, 11/8/1944.
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