MAORI HEROES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 191, 15 July 1941, Page 6

MAORI HEROES

DEATHS IN CRETE. HASTINGS, July 13.. '•'Before death claimed him his machine-gun accounted for 200 tiermans. In the words oi his companions here/ 'He died game, upholding the traditions of his ancestors.' " In these words Private AVhareupoho Mohi wrote to Mr and Mrs James Russell, of Paki Paid, of the deatn or their son, Corporal James Poach Itusscll, and their nephew, Private Hoani Whare, son of Mr and Mrs Whare, also of Paki Paki, in the action in Crete.

The heroism of the Maori Battalion in the face of terrorising opposition is clearly described in the letter. At the same time it reveals that those who are left in the ranks have derived inspiration from those deeds. The letter reads:

"I scud my greetings to you all at home. I am the survivor of your boys, and lonely and sad at their loss. I am writing to you to share your sorrow in the loss or your son .James, and his cousin Hoani Whare, They made the supreme sacrifice in the island of Crete. When Hoani Whare was killed our officer, Lieutenant (ieorge Kuru, and the son of. Billy Sam Wehi. of Takapau, also died. One burst of shot from a sniper was responsible for the death of all three. As lor your son James, he died while engaged in a bayonet charge on the enemy.

"My dear ones, grieve not for these brave boys who have died in our noble cause. God has given and God has taken away. Be brave and constant," concludes the letter.