Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War escaper’s immediate M.M. group of six awarded to Private J. Maoela, Native Military Corps, who displayed remarkable resilience and determination in making good his escape from Tobruk, journeying for days without water in the desert and finding ‘food in old battle areas’

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (No. N. 9480 Pte. J. Maoela. N.M.C.) with official corrections; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, campaign awards all officially impressed ‘N9480 J. Maoela’, mounted for display, generally nearly very fine or better (6) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 26 August 1943 [under the name of ‘John Mawela’]. The original recommendation for the M.M. – written by a Middle East representative of M.I. 9 – is marked ‘SECRET’ and further inscribed ‘Not for publication’, states:

‘Private Mawela [sic] escaped from Tobruk P./W. Camp on 7 August 1942, with four other native troops, when their guards ran for cover during an air raid.

They were anxious to escape earlier, but they were told that Alexandria, Suez and Cairo were in German hands and did not know therefore where to go. When they learnt from a truck driver that the British line was at El Alamein, they decided to escape at the earliest possible opportunity.

Once at large, they went south for two nights and a day, hiding during the day in trenches. They then went east to Sidi Rezegh, leaving El Adem on their left. They then turned south again into the desert for two nights, then continued east.

They found food in old battle areas, and water in abandoned trucks. But soon they ran out of water and could not swallow their dry biscuits. They put out tins to collect the dew, but eventually even these supplies were exhausted, and they turned north to find the army route and further supplies. Having collected enough, they continued east again for four or five days. Water ran out, but they staggered on till they reached a high escarpment, at the bottom of which was a salty swamp. They dug for water. They were so thirsty that four of them drank the salty water, but it upset them and finished their strength. Fortunately, Private Mawela had refused to touch it – so they told him to go on alone.

He dragged on alone for three days, still without water till picked up south of Alamein by some British troops in a Bren-gun carrier. Private Mawela told them where he had left his four companions and was then admitted to hospital.

This Private showed great courage and spirit in the face of extreme hardship and only won through by his unflinching determination and perseverance.’

John Maoela was serving in South African 4 Brigade’s ‘Q’ Service Corps at the time of his capture and escape.