Frederick John Jones (1919 - 1943)

Born 28 Apr 1919 in Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand

Ancestors

Died 26 Mar 1943 at age 23 in Tunisia, North Africa

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Frederick Jones is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Biography

parents - Frederick William and Elizabeth Mary Jones

Private Frederick John Jones 67950 - 24th Infantry Battalion Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (6th Infantry Brigade 2nd New Zealand Division).

The 24th Battalion was formed on the 1st of February 1940 at Narrow Neck Military Camp with personnel drawn largely from the Auckland region.

The 24th fought in Greece and Crete, and in September 1941 was in North Africa, preparing for Operation Crusader, planned to lift the siege of Tobruk. The 25th was badly mauled in the battles along the Sidi Rezegh escarpment and reformed at Baggush from those who had escaped capture at Sidi Rezegh and other personnel that had been left out of battle, along with newly arrived replacements from New Zealand - amongst whom was Private Frederick John Jones.

From late February to mid-March 1942, the 2nd New Zealand Division was transferred to Syria. It was feared that the Middle East was at risk from an invasion by the Germans and the New Zealanders were to block the likely route from the Caucasus. [1] Here, they were stationed close to the border with Turkey, to the northwest of Aleppo. The 24th Battalion covered railway lines in the area as well as conducting training.

While others were despatched to the lines of El Alamein, the 6th Brigade was held held in reserve before being dispatched to man the fortress at Bab el Qattara, where the 24th guarded the northern side of the fortress, with the 25th and 26th Battalions guarded the west and south sides. From their position at at Bab el Qattara, the 6th brigade watched several days as first the retreating British streamed by and then the Germans passed at a distance, before the themselves were sent to Amiriya. The 24th missed the action at Ruweisat Ridge, but then with the 6th Brigade, was sent into the El Alamein lines to relieve what was left of 4th Brigade. A few days later, they were involved in a night-time attack on the El Mrier Depression to free a route through which British armour could penetrate. They brigade achieved its objective and was busy consolidating its positions when the German 21st Panzer Division attacked on the 22nd July 1942. Caught by surprise, there were heavy losses and those that survived were evacuated to Maadi.

The 2nd New Zealand Division was regrouped as part of the 8th Army under General Montgomery in an effort to push Rommel back across North Africa again. In October 1942, the New Zealanders advanced behind a creeping artillery barrage which commenced at 9:40 pm and quickly attained all its objectives and began consolidating them. They were withdrawn four days later and rested until joining on the 2nd November in Operation Supercharge. The German defences collapsed and on 4th November began retreating with the New Zealanders hot on their heels. In mid-November, the division was withdrawn to Bardia. The were back in the fighting in mid-December, at El Agheila they tried to trap the Afrika Corps, and again at Nofilia a few days later. Their advanced continued until, on the 23rd January 1943, the Battalion entered Tripoli.

However, Rommel had withdrawn from Tripoli to create a strong defensive position protecting the border into Tunisia; the Mareth Line. Once again, the New Zealanders were regrouped to form a flanking attack through the Matmata Hills (Montgomery's now famous "left hook") Surprise was the key - the New Zealanders were to advance in three stages; on the 19th March, a 32 km night march to Wadi bel Krecheb, then a second night march of 64 km to the Tebaga Gap - and then to capture the entrance to the Gap in the dawn of the 21st of March. They gained their objective but days of desperate fighting followed in the effort to consolidate their gains. Private Frederick John Jones 67950 was killed in action there, on the 26th March1943. He was 23 years old.

Burial

Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia

Grave XI. E. 23

Sources

• 24th Battalion (New Zealand) [2]
• New Zealand War Graves Project
• http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C27625
• New Zealand Herald Volume 80, Issue 24566, 24 April 1943 [3]

See Also

• 26 Battalion - chapter 6 - Syria [4] chapter 7 - The Battle for Egypt [5]