William Frank Liley

Born 14 Mar 1915

Service number: 7076 AWMM
Also known as: —
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: —
War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Show empty fields Hide sources

Biographical information

Capt W. F. Liley, MC; New Plymouth; born NZ 14 Mar 1915; cashier; GSO 3 (Intelligence) 2 NZ Div 1942–43.
(Kay, R. 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion. p. 29.) (Source: Kay, R. 27 (Machine Gun Battalion. p.29.)

'The Germans launched their main attack about midday, or shortly afterwards, against 2/8 Battalion's exposed left flank, and later tanks and infantry reached the whole of the battalion's front, east of the pass. The Australians, lacking adequate anti-tank defence and now under fire from their left rear and also from the right (where the Greek Dodecanese Regiment was putting up a stiff rearguard fight), retreated over the ridge with heavy losses, mostly men captured.
The section of 5 Platoon was forced back after inflicting casualties on German infantry at ranges of about 500 yards or less. The Germans ‘were more closely bunched than usual and presented a perfect target for MMG fire,’ Liley recalls. Early in the afternoon 6 Platoon had given overhead fire from the rear position. This had been put down, at the Australians' request, to the left of the section of 5 Platoon. ‘I was told by an infantry officer that the shoot was at least partly successful; he said the enemy withdrew a little but so did some of his [the Australian] forward sections. They could probably hear it going over and thought they were being fired on from the rear.’ Liley returned from the 6 Platoon section to the forward 5 Platoon section about the time the main German attack began.
‘It must be remembered that few if any of the infantry engaged in this attack were dug in and when enemy tanks appeared on the top of the hill our defence was completely disorganised. At the same time I saw that the road defences had gone and enemy infantry were moving unchecked up the road. There was in fact nothing to stop them except the sec of 6 Pl in reserve and further back some Artillery. As far as I could see there was no infantry reserve and no tanks or anything else to restore the position. At that time everything must have been wide open to the enemy for some miles to the south.
‘I accordingly ordered Sec Comdr 5 Pl to withdraw his Sec and came back to the reserve position. Must have made good time running almost parallel with the road and helped by enemy fire from those on the road. Sec 6 Pl had a wonderful position just where the bend in the road appears … slightly above and looking right down a straight road for perhaps 1000 yds. We held our fire until the enemy were about 150 yds distant and then opened both guns on road. The enemy were thick on the road as they thought probably they had passed all opposition. Both guns fired several belts rapid before it was necessary to search for targets. Enemy casualties in this action must have been extremely heavy as there was little cover on either side of the road. We maintained this position for quite some time, probably at least an hour before enemy commenced firing on us from our left rear. 25 Pounders were now shelling the road just behind our position and we withdrew accordingly on the west side of the road and about 200 yds from it. Sappers then blew the road as we passed. I am pleased to say we brought out all our guns and equipment.’
Carrying their guns and equipment, the machine-gunners withdrew five or six miles on foot. Liley was later awarded the MC for his ‘most commendable courage and coolness’. ' (Source: Kay, R. 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion. pp. 45-6.) AWMM

The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

Online Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

William Frank Liley