Story: Second World War

Capture at Ruweisat Ridge, 1942

Capture at Ruweisat Ridge, 1942

In 1945, on his voyage back to New Zealand, Nevile Lodge made this sketch of his capture at Ruweisat Ridge in Egypt on 15 July 1942. Ruweisat Ridge was a small promontory about 16 kilometres south of El Alamein.  There had been a strong counter-offensive from the Axis forces and capture of the ridge would have aided the Allies. The New Zealanders took part of the ridge early on 15 July, but British armour and artillery were unable to assist them, and 350 men, including Lodge, had no choice but to surrender.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, War History Collection (DA-01514)
Reference: DA-00226
Drawing by Nevile Lodge

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ian McGibbon, 'Second World War - North African campaign', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/34570/capture-at-ruweisat-ridge-1942 (accessed 17 April 2024)

Story by Ian McGibbon, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 May 2016