MAORI V.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 131, 4 June 1943, Page 5

MAORI V.C.

POSTHUMOUS-AWARD

SECOND LIEUT. NGARIMU

The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) has received advice that the King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Second-Lieutenant Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa Ngarimu, New Zealand Military Forces. '

Mr. Fraser forwarded this morning a telegram to Mr. Hamuera Ngarimu, of Ruatoria, near Gisborne, congratulating him on the great honour conferred on his son and expressing deep regret that he did not live to receive the award he had so gallantly won.

The following is a copy of the citation:—

"During the action at the Tebaga Gap on March 26, Second-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 oi 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 machinegun fire from point 209 itself. Under cover of a most intense mortar barrage the enemy counter-attacked land Second-Lieutenant Ngarimuj ordered bis men to stand up and enrage the enemy man for man. This they did with such good effect that the attackers were literally mown down, Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu personally killing seven. He was twice wounded, once by rifle fire in the shoulder and later by shrapnel in the leg, and though urged by both his CO. and battalion commanders to go out had refused to do so saying that he would stay a little while with his men. He stayed till he met his death the following morning. . POSITION HELD. v "Darkness found this officer and his depleted platoon lying on the rocky face of the forward slope of the hill feature with the enemy in a similar position on the reverse slope about 20 yards distant' Throughout the night 1 the enemy repeatedly launched fierce attacksI*in1*in an attempt to dislodge) Second Lieutenant Ngarimu and his men, but each counter-attack was beaten off entirely by Second-Lieu-tenant Ngarimu's inspired leadership. During one of these counter-attacks the enemy, by 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 h,ack into their old positions. "All through the night between- attacks he and his men were heavily harassed by machine-gun and mbrtar fire, but Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu watched his line very carefully, cheering his men on, and inspiring them by his gallant personal conduct. Morning found him still in possession of the hill feature, but only he and two linwounded other ranks remained. Reinforcements were sent up to him. "In the morning the enemy again counter-attacked, and it was during* this attack that Second-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 to his gun, and the number of whom testified to his outstanding courage and fortitude." NOTES ON THE FIGHTING. On March 25-26 the Eighth' Army was confronting the German positions on the Mareth Line and was extending flanking elements to the left to feel for a passage round the general position. On March 25 our forward troops occupied positions about four miles east of the village of Mareth and the Indian Division progressed towards Medenine. The advance of this division was continued on March 26, and forward troops reached 10 miles west of Toujane. During the afternoon of March 26 an attack was launched by the Second New Zealand Division, supported by tanks, in the south-west of El Hamma. This attack succeeded in creating a gap through which, on the following night, additional armoured forces were passed. The following morning our troops reached El.Hamma, and mopping-up operations against enemy positions continued in the hills to the southwest. This threat to the German flank and rear forced the enemy to abandon the Mareth Line. By March 28 German forces were in full retreat, our armoured forces had occupied El Hamma, and the Second New Zealand Division, was pushing towards Gabez.