Today in History: 2nd NZ Division captured Ruweisat Ridge
On this day in history, the Second New Zealand Division captured Ruweisat Ridge after a successful night attack, only to be forced back at dusk.
By dawn on 15 July 1942, 2nd New Zealand Division, having advanced nearly 10kms overnight, held Ruweisat Ridge. Despite their best efforts, and due to a lack of artillery and armour support, they were forced back from Ruweisat Ridge at dusk.
The cost for the Kiwis was high: 1405 casualties, of whom all but 290 were either killed or captured. Both Captain Charles Upham, who was badly wounded and captured as a prisoner of war, and Sergeant Keith Elliott, who was wounded in the chest, back, thigh, and knee, were awarded the Victoria Cross (the second for Upham) for their actions of gallantry during the battle at Ruweisat Ridge.
We are very proud that here at the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa we have both Charles Upham’s and Keith Elliott’s medals on display in our Valour Alcove of the Medal Repository.
