The Bonito gates.. entrance to Tripoli..

 23rd. of January 1943,tired from the previous nights fight in the palms and olive groves against the 21 Panzer Division and artillery some miles back in the attempted German ambush, the NZ Maori Battalion and Scots Grey Guard Armoured Brigade enter the historic "Bonito Gates".

From the Battle of Alamien on the 24th of October 1942 where at 9.00pm in brilliant moonlight  800 heavy howitzer guns and 1500 field artillery weapons deafiningly opened fire and then days later the Kiwis were chosen for the long and tough pursuit under radio silence, with the 2NZEF attempting cut the DAK off with one of its famous "left hooks" Rommels Afrika Korps and large Italian Divisions are finally in retreat,  the Kiwis eventually arrive at Tripoli an ultimately get a smell of victory in Africa.

Much work had to be done in this most historic and ancient city before further advances could be made, such as clearing mines and wreckage from the harbour,huge supplies needed to be brought in,with more troop renforcements.Tripoli being 1400 mile from Alamein and 1700 from the Suez canal allowed the 2NZEF to refresh and reform into an immaculate, well trained and drilled fighting force,such that it most certainly was.Tripoli was a favourite 5 week stop over for all.

Above photo is of Captain Hayward's 28th battalion carrier platoon with a fellow crewman looking toward the camera, reflecting in a way a sense of "we bloody well made it here cousie"