[Māori Battalion - Casino Railway Station, February 17, 1944 ].

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Reference
42059
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Reference
42059
Media type
Audio
Item unavailable online
Duration
00:29:51
Taonga Māori Collection
Yes
Credits
RNZ Collection
Nepia, Ted, Speaker/Kaikōrero, New Zealand. Army. Expeditionary Force, 2nd. Battalion, 28
Paiki, Tamaio, Speaker/Kaikōrero
New Zealand Broadcasting Service. Mobile Recording Unit, Broadcaster

[A compilation of recordings made by men of the 28th Māori Battalion during World War II. The originals are all held elsewhere in the collection.]

Cut 1. [Report by Ted Nepia, 1944.] The first major event that took place with the Māori Battalion was on February 17, 1944. The Casino Railway Station was the objective. 'A' Coy which was led by Captain Hēnare and 'B' Coy led by Captain Wikiriwhi, spearheaded the attack. Hidden obstacles, sub-merged wire entanglements in the streams - undetected by aerial photographs, hindered the progress of these two Companies.

Casualties were extensive and very few gained the objective. Less than one quarter of 'B' Coy struggled back to their headquarters after the enemy had retreated. Captain Wikiriwhi crawled back after twenty-four hours because he was severely wounded. 'A' Coy were more fortunate in their escape with only 50% casualties.

On Mount Cairo the Battalion held out at a village in Torelli. Then came out the thrust at Sora where 'C' Coy suffered many casualties. The Battalion rested at Archery as the enemy fled to the north.

On the 11th July, the Division moved north to take part in what ended up to be the capture of Florence. On the 29th July, the Battalion reached the area near Jessi. Intensive training and sport comprised most of the time here. On the 21st August, the Battalion met the enemy again. The first time since Orsogna.

The Battalion then took up their posts in Faenza after conquering many towns and cities. Here the enemy was believed to have a strong force. Just when the enemy thought they may have victory on their side, they saw tanks and armoured trucks speeding along route 9, over the River Senio and Faenza was theirs.

For this deed, the Battalion received the DSO, During this attack 'C' Coy suffered many casualties by mines but it was this company that reached Route 9 first. The morale of the men was very high. Padre Wi Huata had been a tower of strength whether it be in the rest areas of the Battalion or in the hospitals.

Whether the Māori soldier was in hospital or in his dug-out or involved in manoeuvres he could be heard in song. In Māori, English, Italian or even German, it did not matter. A message to our people in Māori from the boys:

Ted Nēpia . E ngā iwi, e ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā taumata kōrero o Aotearoa - te Waipounamu, Whare Kauri - Tēna koutou, Tēnā koutou, Tēnā Koutou. He reo anō koutou tamariki e mihi atu nei. He nuku o tawhiti. Kaua he māharahara mai ki a mātou. Kei te pai mātou, kei te ora. Kia mataara, kia manawanui. Kua tata te wā e ua atu ai nō waka maha o te rōpū - Hōia Māori. nā Ihowa koutou e manāki . Kia ora koutou. E tahu hoa wahine, e Maio, tēnā koe me ā tāua mōkai . Ka nui te hoki o tahu ngākau ki a koutou - kia manawanui. Maurice, Snowy, Paddy, Taddles, thank you all for your prayers. E taku whaea me taku tuahine me taku teina - Kia ora koutou katoa. mā te matua i te rangi koutou e tiaki. A big cheerio to all my friends scattered throughout New Zealand.

Cut 2. Tamaio Paiki.[Signals] Ki te iwi, ki ngā hapu, ki ngā marae i Aotearoa, I Te Waipounamu, tēnā koutou. Ki Huhakui, te korerehu a Hariata, ki aku tuahine, Pirihira, Amiria - ki taku kaumātua a Wiremu Mihaka, ki aku tamariki - Winston, Jill and Gaynor, Barry, Bill me Tuhuru - tēnei te aroha. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou.
This unit was the first to pass the East to West corridor into Tobruk.
They arrived in the early hours of the morning after a gruelling night before. They had made this journey after two days of constant shelling by the Germans. The most vivid recollection he can recall is the tank battle which raged for two days. When they were north of Sedi Ruzane. The artillery together with mobile infantry stood in readiness to support their tanks.
Tamaio Paiki's Kōrero.
The patrols reported that the enemy was a greater force that they were. It was evident that they would attempt to crash through to rejoin the other forces in the west. Through binoculars, he witnessed their light armoured vehicles below an escarpment through which the Han tanks must come. The enemy tried, but failed to break through the lines. The fight took a change when twenty squadron planes from the R.A.F. started to strafe his infantry. There were cheers when they saw the jerries trying to avoid bullets from the air. The problems did not stop there. The artillery opened fire, causing several enemy lorries bursting into flame. On capturing prisoners, he noticed how poorly the enemy had been fed and the clothing was of very poor quality. Tamaio mentions that he would like the Prime Minister and the people of New Zealand to know three things.
Quote:
1. We will always strive to maintain the traditionally fine name the New Zealanders have as a fighting force - and so hasten the day of victory.
2. Thanks to the sacrifices and the work of the people home there in our Dominion we here are almost among the best equipped soldiers in the world.
3. The officers who direct the operations of the New Zealand Division and particularly the officers of my own unit, are men whose courage, ability and leadership have won the admiration of the men in the ranks..........4'25"
E te iwi, ka mutu i konei. Tenei a Tamaio Paiki, Hei konei ra, Hei konei ra, Heo konei ra.....0'19"

Cut 3. An Introduction to the song " MāORI BATTALION MARCH TO VICTORY." - English/Māori/English....3'28"

A series of haka performed by the Battalion.
a. Ko te Iwi Māori e Nguunguru nei. 1.32"
b. Puhikura 0'65"
c. E Pa hitara 1.07"
d. Haramai tonu ra/Ma te Atua he toa..2'34"

An introduction and items performed by an Indian troupe. 4'38"

Cut 4. There is an open air concert somewhere in the desert. A description of the setting - those who are not performing are seated in the sand. The only lighting there is, is one hurricane lantern. The leader of the performing group is holding the lantern up before he begins to talk. Here is an introduction to Private Tapiri who will introduce the first item. 0'8"
Private Tapiri:
E Kui ma, E Koro ma, E Whaea ma, E Hine ma, E Tama ma, Tamariki ma, TE ARAWA, MATAATUA - Tena koutou katoa. Kua pua to POHUTAKAWA, te tohu te RAUMATI tena, ko rauhanga te PIPIWHARAUROA, WHITIWHITIA ra te NGAKAU nawa. He wai te whanau. 0.22"

Te Ope Tuatahi - Waiata/Himene 1.53"

Awhinatia Matou/ Mahara Mai - Waiata/Himene 1.26"