MĀORI BATTALION DIARY - MAY 1941- MĀORI BATTALION DIARY - OCTOBER 1941

MĀORI BATTALION DIARY - OCTOBER 1941

Overview

In October, the whole of 5 Brigade moved 80 miles (130 km) west across roadless desert to Mersa Baggush, or Baggush Box, as the men came to know it. Baggush was to become the Second New Zealand Division’s advanced base and it was from here that the New Zealanders would set out to take part in the Second Libyan Campaign.  Training consisted of night and day mobile attacks, assaults on wire defences, mine clearing and navigation exercises – a hint of things to come. [1]

A concert by the re-formed Kiwi Concert Party and a letter from Sir Āpirana Ngata, the ‘Father’ of the Māori Battalion, expressing Māori pride in their performance in Greece and Crete, and assuring the men that reinforcements were rapidly coming forward, helped to keep the morale of the troops at a high level. [2]

At the beginning of October the Battalion had a complement of 30 officers plus the doctor, padre and YMCA representative who were attached: 

• Lt-Colonel: George Dittmer
• Majors: George Bertrand, Humphrey Dyer
• Captains: George Weir, Tiwi Love, Doug Harvey, Rangi Royal, Parekura Tureia, Whetu Werohia, M. T. S. Dew
• Temporary Captains: Charles Bennett, Chris Sorrenson
• Lieutenants: Ben Porter, Reta Keiha, Terry Gilroy, Dan Urlich,
• Second Lieutenants: Peta Awatere, Don Stewart,  Henry Toka, Ariari (Addie) Mitchell, Aubrey Rota, Hone Green, Rangi Logan, Jack Reedy, Jim Matehaere, Ruhi Pene, Jim Tuhiwai, Paki West, Mervyn Mitchel, Tutu Wirepa.
•  Attached: Capt. M. Kronfield RSM, Capt. Kahi Harawira (unit padre), Charles B. Bennett (YMCA)

Diary

• 1 Oct: Work on road still in progress as per work table. See Routine Order 94  1715 hrs first visit by ‘Kiwi’ Concert Party was marked by a high class performance thoroughly enjoyed by all ranks.  Staged on a brilliantly lit platform, the whole show went well.  It was held in D Coy area.  Brig. Jim Hargest was also there.
• 2 Oct: Routine work on road as per work table.  Last day of roading.
• 3 Oct: Normal routine as per work table.  2/Lt Pine Taiapa was admitted to hospital.
• 4 Oct: 0915 hrs Battalion parade in which the CO gave a talk on security, care of supporting weapons, use of Molotov Cocktails, and the importance of section leading.  He finally referred to correspondence received from Sir A. T. Ngata – leader of the Māori people – concerning the good response at home among the young men for further reinforcements, and also the good reports received by them of the action of the Battalion in Greece and Crete.  Read the letter.  In the afternoon all the officers with the exception of the Mortar Platoon commander took part in an exercise in desert convoy work involving embussing and debussing etc. 1200 hrs OCTU candidates were interviewed by the CO.  The unit’s strength for the week ended 7 Oct, excluding officers, was 732 ORs (incl. 5 attached). 26 reinforcements were still required to bring the Battalion to full strength.  There were 35 officers, 3 of whom were attached. 
• 5 Oct: 1715 hrs departure of Advance Party of two officers and 16 ORs with Capt. Parekura Tureia in charge for new Division area. 1230 hrs Battalion embusses and 5 Brigade with 28 Battalion attached moves by RMT to new location area as per movement order.  Notice explaining about the honours and awards for Greece and Crete campaigns issued.  See the notice.
• 6 Oct: 2/Lt Ted Pohio joined the unit. Battalion arrives at Division new area. See detail and map.
• 7 Oct: 0615 hrs reveille and routine normal as per special memo, which stated mainly to settle in, tidy up area, clean all arms and equipment, check all anti-gas equipment, and the maintenance of vehicles.
• 8 Oct: Normal routine and preparation for first exercise. Conference of company commanders. The following officers joined the unit: 2/Lts Waipaina Awarau, Syd Jackson, Tony Tikao-Barrett, Hati Rangiuia, J. R. Ormsby and Pine Taiapa.
• 9 Oct: 5 Brigade with 28 Battalion attached carried out an exercise in mobile desert warfare.  The object was to practice navigation, movement in dispersed formation, movement in motorised transport by night, attack by day and night.  See Field exercise notice and sketch.
• 10 Oct: Return of Battalion to bivouac area and the remainder of the day was spent in rest, cleaning and checking of arms and equipment, and maintenance of vehicles. 1200 hrs a party of seven officers including the CO proceeded by MT (two 8cwt trucks with the CO’s car) for a reconnaissance of the forward area. The party had food, water, petrol, etc for four days. They were to proceed forward by no. 7 track and in the first instance to report to HQ 4 Indian Division.
• 11 Oct: Normal routine and swimming parades at the port of Mersa Baggush in the Mediterranean Sea.  In the absence of the CO, adjutant and IO Major George Bertrand is acting CO and Capt. Charles Bennett becomes acting adjutant and IO. The unit’s strength for the week ended 7 Oct, excluding officers, was 727 ORs (incl. 6 attached). 27 reinforcements were still required to bring the Battalion to full strength.  There were 35 officers, 3 of whom were attached.  2/Lt Awaterewas temporarily detached to attend a course.
• 12 Oct: Routine normal.  A talk on tanks was delivered to all officers in the unit.
• 13 Oct: A party of NCOs and officers with Maj. Bertrand in charge left by MT to witness a demonstration by a squadron of tanks located approximately 22 miles (35 km) west across Mersa Matruh Rd.  They returned within 5 hours after a very interesting session. 1700 hrs return of the officer’s reconnaissance party under the control of the CO.  They had been to the forward area since the 10th October.  Otherwise routine was normal as per syllabus.
• 14 Oct: Range practice as per Battalion RO 103 para (8). See Routine Order 103.  The firing ranges are all situated within easy distance of companies as escarpment running east and west along the Battalion’s southern boundary afforded excellent facilities.
• 15 Oct: Range firing as per RO while in the afternoon certain officers of the unit attend a talk on R/T procedures.
• 16 Oct: Normal routine.  Brigade exercise had been suspended. 1330 hrs a lecture by the RSM dealing with how to give evidence, certain additions in the G1098 and some sound advice on section leading work, was delivered to all NCOs. It was an invaluable lecture. 2/Lt Taiapa marched out to the Composite Training Depot. 2/Lt Pene was temporarily detached to the FGCM.
• 17 Oct: Normal routine.
• 18 Oct: A three-day field exercise with some of the 5 Brigade and attached troops under the control and direction of NZ Division commenced this day.  See sketch showing field exercise.
• 19 Oct: As per appendix 4. 
• 20 Oct: As per appendix 4.  1500 hrs the Battalion arrives back at bivouac area and the remainder of the day is devoted to rest, the cleaning of arms and equipment, and the maintenance of vehicles.
• 21 Oct: 1100hrs the officers went to HQ 5 Brigade for a conference and the rest of the Battalion spent the day easy and some went for a swim.
• 22 Oct: Reveille and normal routine. See Routine Orders 108 and 109.  By special notice which appeared in today’s RO a farewell to message was accorded to Maj. Bertrand and Capt. Weir on their appointment and transfer to the Composite Training Depot. Maj. Dyer appointed second-in-command of the Battalion. 2/Lts Tikao-Barrett, Jackson, and Rangiuia, who were attached to this unit for training purposes returned to Base Camp this morning. 1600 hrs a lecture dealing with the field exercise of 18-20 Oct was given by the CO to all officers and NCOs of the unit.
• 23 Oct: Normal routine as per syllabus. See Routine Order 110. Specialist platoons carried out specific exercises as per syllabus, the Intelligence section spending the forenoon in lectures on conventional symbols, map and ground reconnaissance, while in the afternoon a practical exercise in direction finding over an approximate distance of 20 miles (32 km) was duly carried out. 1700 hrs YMCA mobile cinema visited setting up an open air performance in the vicinity of the Battalion Headquarters. It provided mental relaxation which everyone enjoyed.
• 24 Oct: Routine as per syllabus. 1830 hrs the night exercise commenced and ended at 2130 hrs. This exercise was held above the Box to the east and south-east of the Battalion area extending outwards from the Battalion boundary for about 4000 yards.  Conditions affecting visibility, like all other nights in the desert were exceptionally good. The unit’s strength for the week ended 7 Sept, excluding officers, was 762 ORs. (incl. 5 attached). 4 reinforcements were surplus to the Battalion’s requirements.  There were 32 officers, 3 of whom were attached. 
• 25 Oct: Reveille and normal routine as per syllabus. A memo re exchange of worn clothing through fair wear and tear was received from QMS and companies immediately set to to make the necessary exchanges. A small proportion of the Battalion marched out on a seven days change of air leave to Cairo and Alexandria as stipulated in Battalion RO 102 para (2) dated 11 Oct 41.  Specialist platoons still on their own training.  The Intelligence Section doing a night compass march from 1830 hrs to 2100 hrs.  2/Lt Wai Awarau and 2/Lt J.R. Ormsby joined the unit from the Composite Training Depot.
• 26 Oct: Normal routine as per syllabus laid out in Bn ROs re church parade. In the afternoon some rugby trials were held and a small number of the Battalion was in attendance.
• 27 Oct: 0700 hrs a further detachment of leave personnel went away for seven days change of air day. 1300 hrs the first batch from this Battalion of 27 ORs went down to the NZ Mobile Dental Unit for treatment.  This unit is two miles away by the sea. Some small gifts were distributed among all ranks. These gifts had originally been sent to men who are now on the “missing list”.  Capt. M.T.S. Dew went to hospital from where he was transferred to x(ii) list. 2/Lt Tiwha Bennett and2/Lt Pine Taiapa joined the unit from the Composite Training Depot.
• 28 Oct: Today spent in special training by companies in daylight attack from MT under cover of smoke from mortars and artillery. The importance of debussing, clearing wire and passing through minefields was stressed. Other items were carried out as laid down in para (3) of Battalion RO 113.  2/Lt Tutu Wirepa went to hospital while on leave.
• 29 Oct: Battalion carries out field exercise. It took place above the Box about three miles to the south-east of the Battalion area. Exercises included desert formation practice on MT.  The Pioneer Platoon had preceded the Battalion to lay down wire and minefield.  Capt. Whetu Werohia transferred to the Composite Training Depot.
• 30 Oct: A section from the 7 Field Coy of NZ Engineers visited the Battalion and with their active cooperation carried out instruction in wire assault, crossing and clearing of minefields. In the morning instruction in the construction of bombs and mines were delivered to the troops. 1900 hrs some fairly heavy bombs were dropped by the enemy somewhere above the Box in the direction of the landing grounds used by our Air force.  There was bright moon with occasional heavy clouds blotting out all light for some moments.
• 31 Oct: Training normal as per Battalion RO 116 para (2).  See Routine Order 116.  Companies carrying out grenade throwing, the crossing of wire obstacles, and tank hunting. The last period was devoted to recreational rugby. See Appendix 7.

http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/memory/m%C4%81ori-battalion-diary-october-1941

MĀORI BATTALION DIARY - MAY 1941

Overview

Map of Crete

On Anzac Day 1941 over 500 members of the Māori Battalion were among 16,000 troops who reached Crete after the Allies’ failed campaign in Greece. Crete was intended to be a staging post for evacuated troops en route to Egypt. Orders changed and Crete was soon garrisoned by 42,000 British, Australian, New Zealand, Palestinian and Greek soldiers – their task, to defend Crete from the greatest airborne invasion ever attempted. The invasion commenced on 20 May and lasted 12 days. On the third day, after 5 Brigade’s unsuccessful attempt to retake the Maleme airfield, the Māori Battalion fought a gradual withdrawal all the way to the evacuation beach at Sphakia. 71 men from the Māori Battalion were among the 12,254 Allied troops left on the island to be taken prisoners. Fewer than 400 members of the unit made it back to Egypt.

Crete is an important marker in the history of the Māori Battalion. It was the place where Māori soldiers developed a reputation as feared opponents in close-quarter combat. [1]The bayonet charges at 42nd Street and Maleme showed that they were more than a match for their German counterparts and ensured that the enemy would remember and respect them. After Crete the unit received high praise from their commanders and earned the admiration of the other units who had seen the Māori in action. Witness this quote from a letter written by Private Westbrook of 18 (Auckland) Battalion: “The name Māori [was] almost a byword with the Tommies . . . their continual bayonet charges and the havoc they caused among the Jerries with cold steel earned them the name of the ‘Knife Men’.” [2]  Read about the strategic importance of Crete.

Diary

• 1 May: Strengthening positions. System of lighting beacons adopted to reveal enemy attacks.
• 2 May: Lt-Col George Dittmer and coy reps recce approaches to Maleme aerodrome to enable quick dispatch of troops to that area when needed.
• 3 May: Move to occupy area at Platanias recently vacated by 23 Battalion. See map. Brigadier Hargest visited the unit in the morning.
• 4 May: 1045 hrs Maj-Gen Freyberg (GOC) visits Battalion area and speaks to all officers and NCOs about their performance in Greece and the task that confronts them in the defence of Crete.
• 5 May: Coys settling in and strengthening defences. 1330 hrs Lt-Col Dittmer holds conference with officers where he discusses new tasks of Battalion: a) to prevent an enemy advance eastwards, b) to assist in the defence of the aerodrome, c) to prevent a landing on beaches in its area.
• 6 May: Lt-Col Dittmer and coy reps recce approaches to Maleme aerodrome. 1000 hrs a General Field Court Marshall under the presidency of Major Leggat of 22 Battalion sits in Battalion area.
• 7 May: Further coy representatives conducted over the routes to the aerodrome. Companies digging in.
• 8 May: Light training, route marches and swimming. COs' conference at Brigade HQ discusses tactics and general training. In afternoon Lt-Col Dittmer and other unit commanders attend social function at Forces HQ at Canea given by GOC in honour of the Greek officers.
• 9 May: Strengthening positions. 10% of unit given leave.
• 10 May: Refresher course for prospective NCOs. RSM Ace Wood chief instructor.
• 11 May: Church services in Coy areas. Swimming one platoon per coy at a time.
• 12 – 13 May: Training as per new syllabus. More intensive.
• 14 May: General Field Court Marshall with Maj Humphrey Dyer as president is held at Battalion Headquarters. Training continues.
• 15 May: Training continues.
• 16 May: 1700 hrs Lt-Col Dittmer (CO) attends conference at Brigade Headquarters. German plan for the invasion of Crete is revealed. Counter measures detailed. Invasion expected by air 25,000 and sea 10,000. 1900 hrs Lt-Col Dittmerconveys information to his officers and instructs them to ensure all men are armed with a 100 rounds and have a slit trench in which to take cover in case of air raids.
• 17May: Training suspended and all companies on alert for pending invasion.
• 18 May: Padre Capt. Kahi Harawira visits coy areas and holds church services. Men on alert.
• 19 May: 0625 hrs low level attack on Maleme aerodrome by enemy fighters. 1200 hrs, 1205 hrs, 1625 hrs, 1912 hrs, 1929 hrs further bombing raids on aerodrome.
• 20 May: Invasion day. 0620 hrs air raids begin. Intense activity on and in the vicinity of the aerodrome. 0800 hrs it appears invasion is about to launched. The area around the aerodrome is being most intensely bombed and machine-gunned by countless planes of all kinds. Clouds of dust are rising high into the sky turning the whole area into a real inferno of flying dust and metal and visibility is reduced almost to zero. 0830 hrs in the midst of all this pandemonium paratroops are dropped. 0915 hrs we estimate between 800 – 1000 troops have landed around the aerodrome with about the same number dropped in the Aghya Valley. 1030 hrs one troop carrying plane effects a landing opposite D Coy lines and is set on fire. These enormous black troop carrier planes are circling round and round the beach and above the aerodrome seeking landing places. 1130 hrs glider lands 200 yards ahead of burning plane. Parachutists making for house near beach. Evidently this had previously been decided upon as some sort of HQ as those parachutists who are landing in the area all seem to make for it. Artillery fire is directed on the house and several direct hits are scored. 1430 hrs 13 Platoon C Coy led by 2/Lt Arnold Reedy and 17 Platoon D Coy led by 2/Lt Rangi Logan, all under direction of Capt. Fred Baker, move out to mop up enemy activity in vicinity of beach house. 1740 hrs some of men from Capt Baker’s patrol report back at D Coy area with prisoners – two officers & eight other ranks. 1800 hrs rest of patrol returns and reports success with approximately 12 enemy killed while patrol had two wounded – Pte Pomare Kutia slightly and Pte Karu (Fred) Crawford shot in the leg. Both men are from Tolaga Bay. Read an account of the patrol.  1700 hrs B Coy under Capt. Rangi Royal go to assist 22 Battalion at aerodrome. They travel astride the main road.
• 21 May: 0100 hrs B Coy reach aerodrome but find 22 Battalion appear to have withdrawn from their original position so they return to Platanias. 0600 hrs B Coy returns to its own Battalion area. Capt.Royal estimates 50 enemy killed while two B Coy wounded including Pte Arthur Midwood of Rotorua.  Air attacks continue. 0950 hrs D Coy report parachutists landing in Aghya Valley. 1200 hrs a Greek civilian was blown up by one of D Coys anti-personnel mines. 1230 hrs 9 Platoon of A Coy sent out under Capt. Harding Leaf to patrol Aghya Valley. 1320 hrs Capt. Baker with 17 Platoon and a section of 18 Platoon under Sgt Jerry Smith, again sent to clear area around another house at beach. Read Baker's account.  1540 hrs parachutists dropped in Battalion area for the first time. 1600 hrs men sent into the valley to assist D Coy and to mop up the area under the following plan: RSM Wood and Battalion Headquarters personnel followed by two sections of C Coy under 2/Lt Reedy who in turn are followed by the reserve platoon of B Coy under 2/Lt Horton Stewartwent down into the creek bed and swept down the valley and up onto the rise that formed the right flank of the NZ Engineers area. 1630 More paratroops were dropped along the NZ Engineers front. Our men could be seen making their way down the valley and across to help. 1825 hrs observed the adjutant - Capt. Paul Te Punga and Headquarters Coy men advancing along creek. 1850 hrs most of the paratroops dropped in D Coy area have been wiped out but our men are still searching around in the creek area. 1945 hrs when returning some men are wounded by undetected enemy machine gun post in D Coy area. Patrol out searching for this post. 2200 hrs Lt-Col Dittmer attends conference at Brigade Headquarters. Plans for counter attack on Maleme aerodrome laid out: 28 Battalion and 20 Battalion to leave at 0100 hrs to retake aerodrome. 2300 hrs Capt. Royal leads B Coy to clear Platanias River bed and secures high feature in NZ Engineers area while rest of Battalion moves to start line. B Coy to hold this feature till rest of Battalion returns from aerodrome. 2330 hrs heavy firing at sea as naval action takes place.
• 22 May: 0100 hrs Counter attack delayed. Unaware of delay Capt. Leaf leaves the start line and is killed while leading some A and C Coy men forward.  Read accounts of Leaf's death.  0330 hrs 28 Battalion and 20 Battalion (less three of its coys which caught up an hour later) move in extended line astride main road towards Maleme. Good progress while dark but valuable time lost due to delay. Day breaks with heavy fighting in the village of Pirgos. Effective bayonet and grenade use. 1930hrs bayonet charge puts enemy to flight from hill overlooking Battalion’s defences. One killed during charge – B Coy’s Pte Richard Mason of Rotorua. However, over 100 Maori casualties, including 30 dead, since the counter attack began, the most in a single day during the war. Much enemy movement during the night.  Read an account of the counter-attack.
• 23 May: 0615 Orders reach 28 Battalion that it is to provide rearguard as 5 Brigade returns to Platanias. 0630 2/Lt Charles Bennett leads Battalion back to Platanias. Major Dyer with an officer and a section from each coy forms the Battalion’s rearguard. 0830 forward elements of Battalion (part of B and C Coy) report to Brigade HQ and after receiving rations they man defences. 1100 hrs 80 men from 20 Battalion and 20 men under 2/Lt Gordon Ormond moved out under Capt. Baker to take over D Coy’s old positions. On arrival they find the enemy in possession of the area and abandoned the project. 1125 hrs Capt. Tiwi Love checked in and reported that Lt-Col Dittmer and his party were down in the valley leading up to the C Coy hill feature. 1400 hrs Lt-Col Dittmer, Major Dyer and rear party check in. Enemy activity all around Battalion positions, including shelling of A Coy area at 1522 hrs. 2230 hrs Battalion moved seven miles to rear position behind 4 Brigade.
• 24 May: 0230 hrs arrive new area and sleep on side of road. 1000 hrs march over hills to area on high feature facing Platanos. Defences prepared with implements borrowed from the Australians. Lt Clay joins Battalion as new Medical Officer as Capt. Charlie Mules had been wounded during the attack on Maleme. Read Mule's account. Battalion area subjected to heavy air strikes all day but no casualties.
• 25 May: 0600 hrs reconnaissance plane overhead followed by air attack at 0900 hrs. 1450 – 1525 hrs considerable air activity over Battalion area. 1930 hrs enemy reported to have broken through Galatos area and 28 Battalion to be ready to counter attack. 2130 hrs Battalion moves to 4 Brigade HQ. 2215 hrs Decided unwise to attempt counter-attack and Battalion returns to positions at Platanos.
• 26 May: 0300 hrs arrive in old area at Platanos. 4 Brigade withdrew during the night. Defences strengthened. 19 Battalion passed 28 Battalion lines having withdrawn from their forward position. 0630 hrs strafing from planes. 0945 hrs A Coy in contact with enemy. 2000 hrs heavy interchange of fire between B Coy and enemy. 2030 hrs Spandau used by 12 Platoon B Coy wipes out enemy force but attracts enemy mortar attention for 20 minutes killing two and wounding one. 2230 hrs Battalion further withdraws through Kesimat to main Suda Bay road.
• 27 May: 0400 hrs arrive at new area, bed down for night. 0800 hrs move back 400 meters to 42 nd Street. 0900 hrs aerial blitz begins, all types of planes being in evidence. 1030 hrs after being open fired on by enemy at close quarters forward coys (A, B and C) fix bayonets and charge with full vocal accompaniment. The Battalion’s casualties were 6 killed and 10 wounded while they claimed to have killed 80 Germans. Read accounts of the bayonet charge at 42nd Street.  1530 hrs large enemy forces seen advancing over hill to Battalion’s left, undoubtedly to cut our withdrawal off. 2030 hrs orders to withdraw to Stylos. Preparations for rearguard action by A and B Coys (strength 130 all ranks) under Capt Royal and Lt Ben Porter. 2200hrs Battalion begins withdrawal. Read Capt. Rangi Royals report.
• 28 May: 0230 hrs Battalion column reaches Bertania and then 0330 hrs Stylos. 0630 hrs heavy firing as withdrawing troops meet resistance. 1030 hrs withdrawal continues. Short rest at Balli Inn, arrive 1515 hrs at Vryses, halt three hours. 1815 hrs gruelling march to Syn Anmoudari.
• 29 May: 0300 hrs Arrive Syn Anmoudari. Due to no rations and the men not having eaten for some time. RSM Wood and foraging party sent to village to see what food was available. Two pigs and several fowls caught. Lt-Col Dittmerinstructed party to pay for food if the owners are present. Two standing parties sent out to high feature overlooking village. 1300 hrs recce party moves by transport to view road to beach. They return with six trucks which they managed to salvage. One is loaded with weapons and ammunition. 1630 hrs Battalion together with rest of Brigade move out of area. Marched single file either side of the road. 1800 – 1930 hrs observed the village of Sphakia being bombed by formations of Stukas and Dorniers. These bombers flew low over us as we tried to take cover on the bare road. 2200 hrs reached end of tarmac road above Komitades village. Climbed hill on right and bedded down on fairly rocky surface. Read accounts of withdrawal from Crete.
• 30 May: Early morning visit by enemy reconnaissance plane. 0730 hrs food cooked at Syn Anmoudari yesterday eaten here. It gives the boys a new lease of life. We stayed under cover all day. The sound of fire was quite audible behind us and it was noticeably nearer as the day wore on. 1700 hrs embarkation arrangements discussed at COs’ conference at Brigade HQ. 1800 hrs the 230 personnel from Battalion, selected to embark first, left for beach and took cover in deep valley below Force HQ. Approximately 150 remain as rear party under Maj. Dyer, with Capt. Royal as 2IC. 2300 hrs Battalion arrives at beach and rests. 0000 hrs 210 including Lt-Col Dittmer embark on HMS Nizam and 34 under Maj. Bertrand on HMS Napier.
• 31 May: 0015 hrs arrived on board ships. 0315 hrs ships move out. 0900 hrs high level air attack on ships. 1900 hrs reach Alexandria, Egypt. Refreshments are provided for the men here. We are then taken by transport to Amyria where we arrive at 2030 hrs. We are allotted an area with tents which were already pitched by the Fifth Maori Reinforcements who had arrived in Egypt two weeks earlier. Read reflections of Crete.

http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/node/6953

http://ww2today.com/26th-march-1943-maori-vc-in-battle-for-tebaga-gap

Maori Victoria Cross in battle for Tebaga Gap

Soldiers of the Māori Battalion training in the Western Desert, Egypt. The Māori infantrymen earned a fearsome reputation for their skill with the bayonet.

In Tunisia Montgomery’s ‘Left Hook’ to circumvent the Mareth Line defences had not progressed as quickly as had been hoped. On the night of 26th March a renwed assault was made on the Tebaga Gap which would enable the mainly New Zealand force to break through to the rear of the German lines. Whilst tanks made an attack on the Gap through the mountains itself, the infantry were engaged in fierce engagements to take the tops of the surrounding peaks.

In the thick of the action were men of the Maori Battalion, native New Zealanders, with an established reputation as aggressive fighters dating back to the First World War. One man distinguished himself before all others. 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu had risen from the ranks after coming to notice since the Batatlion had first seen service in Greece, two years before.

Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, awarded a posthumous VC for his actions in Tunisia on 26th March 1943.

2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu’s citation for the Victoria Cross reads:

During the action at the Tebaga Gap on 26 March 1943, 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu commanded a platoon in an attack upon the vital hill feature, Point 209. He was given the task of attacking and capturing an under-feature forward of Point 209 itself and held in considerable strength by the enemy. He led his men with great determination straight up the face of the hill, undeterred by the intense mortar and machine-gun fire, which caused considerable casualties.

Displaying courage and leadership of the highest order, he was himself first on the hill crest, personally annihilating at least two enemy machine-gun posts. In the face of such a determined attack the remainder of the enemy fled, but further advance was impossible as the reverse slope was swept by machine-gun fire from Point 209 itself.

Under cover of a most intense mortar barrage the enemy counter-attacked, and 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu ordered his men to stand to and engage the enemy man on man. This they did with such good effect that the attackers were virtually mown down, 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu personally killing several. He was twice wounded, once by rifle fire in the shoulder and later by shrapnel in the leg, and though urged by both his company and battalion commanders to go out, he refused to do so, saying that he would stay a little while with his men. He stayed until he met his death the following morning.

Darkness found this officer and his depleted platoon lying on the rock face of the forward slope of the hill feature, with the enemy in a similar position on the reverse slope about twenty yards distant. Throughout the night the enemy repeatedly launched fierce attacks in an attempt to dislodge 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu and his men, but each counter-attack was beaten off by 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu’s inspired leadership. During one of these counter-attacks the enemy, using hand grenades, succeeded in piercing a certain part of the line. Without hesitation this officer rushed to the threatened area, and those of the enemy he did not kill he drove back with stones and with his tommy-gun.

During another determined counter-attack by the enemy, part of his line broke. Yelling orders and encouragement, he rallied his men and led them in a fierce onslaught back into their old positions. All through the night, between attacks, he and his men were heavily harassed by machine-gun and mortar fire, but 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu watched his line very carefully, cheering his men on and inspiring them by his personal conduct.

Morning found him still in possession of the hill feature but only he and two unwounded other ranks remained. Reinforcements were sent up to him. In the morning the enemy again counter-attacked and it was during this attack that 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu was killed. He was killed on his feet defiantly facing the enemy with his tommy-gun at his hip. As he fell he came to rest almost on top of those of the enemy who had fallen, the number of whom survived testified to his outstanding courage and fortitude.

The was the first VC awarded to a Maori.

Maori troops perform the traditional ‘Haka’ during an inspection of the Auckland Infantry Battalion by King George of Greece, July 1941.

28th Maori Battalion has much more on the men of the Battalion, who spent 6 years away from New Zealand fighting in Greece, Crete, across North Africa from Egypt to Tunisia and then all the way up Italy.

- See more at: http://ww2today.com/26th-march-1943-maori-vc-in-battle-for-tebaga-gap#sthash.TmWSPwGo.dpuf

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/search/other/maori%2520food?page=1&keys=maori%20food

 

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