by Charleslachlan on 30 Mar 2010 05:28
Dear Sir, further to my Father’s letter (below) I some further evidence to arguably prove that the 2/15th Battalion (namely A Company) under the command of my late Grandfather , Captain Alfred Greig Smith QX6199 , killed the German Lieutenant Colonel, Gustav Ponath 13/4/1941. As my father stated, this is important to not only document for the military history of the 2/15th Battalion and their effort in the Easter 1941 Battle but also for the benefit of the German relatives and German historians who may have been trying to locate the remains or the last resting place of Gustav Ponath. Given his relative importance in Rommel’s assault on Tobruk and in the German Army (Knight’s Cross recipient and Commander of the 8th Machine Gun Battalion) he is important to the history of Tobruk. It is also important because the Australian War Memorial has the flag that was covering him when he was shot dead by the 2/15th complete with battle stains.
1. In the 2/15 Battalion Intelligence Section Record published in ‘Caveant Hostes (2/15 newsletter) Souvenir Issue’, (May,1990) it states: “A patrol of A Coy 2/15 Bn (under the command of Commanding Officer, Alfred Greig Smith QX6199), assisted by two carriers under Sgt. Keys,captured five officers, 89 men, many arms and ammunition without casualty. One German Lieut. Colonel (arguably Ponath)and two men were killed” (p.21).
2. In addition, Kevin Robinson, my grandfather’s Company’s Sergeant Major wrote the following account of A Company’s involvement in the 2/15th Battalion’s publication, This is Tobruk; “I believe one of the Bren gunners in Lieut. Yates’ group (9 platoon) shot the German Commander, a Lieut. Colonel (arguably Ponath) through the neck and killed him and that seemed to demoralise the ‘Jerries’. They had him covered by a big Swastika flag (presented to my Grandfather after the battle by Australian troops and now in the collections of the AWM) when we cleaned up the area”.
3. My Grandfather, Alfred Greig Smith QX6199, O.C. A Coy, wrote in his Report on Patrol 14April, 1941 found in the AWM diaries (Item Number 8/3/15) wrote: “After an attack on 14th April, 41 at approx. 0730hrs. (C;S.M.)Sgt. Robinson reported to me that men were seen by R.H.A. getting into an anti tank ditch near the vicinity of some disabled tanks.
I immediately got in touch with B.H.Q. and obtained permission to send out a platoon to contact the party.
At approx. 0900hrs. No 9 Pl., A Coy. Under Lieut. YATES a total strength of 31 men with C.S.M. ROBINSON as guide set out to contact the men.
The party advanced in open formation for about 800yds. When 2 enemy (Germans) came out of the Anti Tank ditch to surrender. As Mr Yates went forward to take the prisoners the remainder of the enemy who were in two groups opened cross fire with machineguns. The men were then dispersed one section to the right under cover of a sand hill (two men in the ditch were left with the prisoners) one section was placed on the forward part of the ditch which is 3V3 shaped to keep the enemies heads down. MR YATES took another section forward into the ditch when they were held up. Observing no movement for about 20 minutes I contacted B.H.Q. and asked for assistance, the Pl. of this Coy. Being under fire. Meanwhile a runner reported back to report the position of the platoon and ask for assistance.
Two carriers came out and one opened fire on one of the enemy parties which were in the right sector which immediately surrendered. About 25 men being in the party. The remainder approx. 76 in number opened fire on prisoners and carrier. The 2” Mortar with the Pl. fired into the group in the ditch and this was very effective shortly after which the remainder of the prisoners surrendered.
Enemy casualties were 3 killed (including the commander- Ponath?) and 14 wounded some seriously injured. 10” men were taken prisoners and this Pl. suffered no casualties whatsoever.” Capt. O. C. A Coy. 2/15 Bn
