Famous Memento Of War Damaged By Vandals

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 11

Famous Memento Of War Damaged By Vandals

“Th« Press” Special Service

WHANGAREI, May 1. Hundreds of vandals have scratched their names and addresses on what is probably the most famous vehicle in New Zealand. It is the battle-scarred Ford truck which served as the Maori Battalion canteen in the Middle East and Italy and which was better known in the Eighth Army than “Monty.”

The truck —promoted after the war to the rank of a “national monument"—is on view in the Waitangi Treaty grounds, which are visited by thousands of tourists each year.

Sightseers from places as far apart as New York and Samoa, if the addresses gouged into the paintwork are authentic, have felt impelled to leave a reminder of their visit. The truck has much sentimental value. It was many times in the firing line and is pierced by many bullet holes.

With the inscription “Shufti Kiwi” emblazoned on the front bumper, the truck has its Middle East battle honours, won in Egypt, Palestine and Syria, painted on one door. On the other door is inscribed a record of the battles

at which the truck was present during the Italian campaign—among them the Sangro, Casino and the Senio.

In large letters on the side of the vehicle are the words: “Presented to the Maori Battalion as a token of love from the children of the native schools of New Zealand.” The truck was run during the war by a divisional character known to the Maoris as “Charlie Y.M.”

Tourists have not stopped at scratching their names on the truck. Someone has apparently tried to force his way into the back of the vehicle, for one of the hinges of the rear door has been wrenched loose. “Tourists are such nice people,” a former Maori Battalion soldier said. “I would Cheerfully shoot anyone I caught mucking about with that truck.”