'Diver' Derrick's one man attack

24th November 1943: Sergeant Tom Derrick insists on making an 'impossible' assault during the Battle of Sattelberg in New Guinea

The Matilda tank had been outgunned in North Africa but proved its worth in the hands of the Australians - supporting the infantry during jungle warfare. Slow but heavily armoured - the Matilda surprised the Japanese when it appeared on the steep slopes of Mount Sattelberg. The crews spent all day ‘closed down’ despite the tropical heat and humidity, accessing the difficult terrain over ‘corduroy’ roads built by the Engineers. An image from 1945.

Sattelberg, New Guinea. Australian troops moved in behind Matilda tanks for a dawn attack on the Japanese held village of Sattelberg. On 17 November 1943, stretcher-bearer Private Ted Woodroffe carries a wounded comrade of the 2/48th Battalion back to the Advanced Dressing Station, while tanks and infantry move forward. Woodroffe was not out of danger; he was shot dead later that day while going to the aid of another wounded man.