John Mowat “Jack” Sutherland
Lieutenant · NZ #37905 · R2 Patrol
| Rank | Lieutenant |
|---|---|
| Service number | NZ #37905 |
| Patrol | R2 Patrol |
| Known as | “Jack” |
| Born | 1913-04-09 |
| POW / KIA | PoW — Levitha, 24 Oct 1943 |
| Record | https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/153458 |
What this roll records
Led the twenty-two A Squadron men (R2, with a few from R1 and T2) on Levita (23–24 October 1943); his party fought across the ridge and took a machine-gun post, but, unable to raise Olivey by wireless, was eventually overwhelmed and taken prisoner. Source: ‘Invasion of the Dodecanese Islands’ (Battle of Leros / Assault on Levita), Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).
Added 28 Jul 2026. Lieut. J.M. (John Mowat) Sutherland, R2 Patrol officer per Brendan O'Carroll, "R Patrol, Long Range Desert Group" (R Patrol Truck Names and Officers appendix). NZ #37905 per Auckland Museum NZ LRDG membership roll. Distinct from James Henderson Sutherland (LRP R, #1013).
Cenotaph record linked. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
New Zealand (A) Squadron, Levitha (24 Oct 1943): prisoner of war. Source: Roll of New Zealand (A) Squadron Casualties on Levitha, Brendan O’Carroll, "The Long Range Desert Group in the Aegean".
Prisoner-of-war camp: Oflag VII-B (code O7B), POW No. 4300. Source: Germany & German-Occupied Territories Imperial POW Alphabetical List, Section 4 (N.Z.), 2NZEF. Transcription via Zenodo (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.3632116, CC BY 4.0).
Capture-date note: Imperial POW roll records capture as 25 Oct 1943 — one day after the 24 Oct 1943 action at Levitha (the Imperial list commonly dates formal capture to 25 Oct). Master retains 24 Oct 1943. Source: 2NZEF Imperial POW rolls (Zenodo, CC BY 4.0).
Captured 25 October 1943; imprisoned in Germany and German-occupied territories. Farmer in civilian life. Embarked/served with Army Tank Brigade. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll): Capt. J. M. Sutherland — farmer, Waimate; born Waimate, 9 Apr 1913; patrol commander LRDG; prisoner of war 25 Oct 1943.
Patrol commander: commanded R2 Patrol. Kiwi Scorpions (Appendix II — Commanders of NZ Patrols).
Sting of the Scorpion (Brendan O'Carroll) — the assault on Levita: Levita, 23–24 Oct 1943: commanded the New Zealanders — 21 men from R1, R2 and T2 Patrols; held an exposed position overlooking the harbour and, out of ammunition, food and water, surrendered at 1800hrs to save further bloodshed.
Farmer, of Waimate; born Waimate, 9 Apr 1913. Prisoner of war, 25 Oct 1943. Source: Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (biographical notes).
New Zealanders in the Levita action, 24 October 1943: taken prisoner of war. Source: Brendan O’Carroll, ‘The Kiwi Scorpions’ (Appendix IX, New Zealanders in the Levita action).
See him in the full roll →Where this comes from
- AKA added from the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll (missing information).
- Additional sources (AWMM Online Cenotaph). Nominal Roll 2NZEF No. 9, p.385. Unit history: Mason, W.W. (1954). Prisoners of war. External links: Germany imperial POW list, section 4 (Zenodo): https://zenodo.org/records/3955186 Also cited: List of 2NZEF Prisoners of War 1941-1945, AWMM Library MS 2009/8.
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Not By Strength But By Guile