Maoris, In Fine Fettle, Ready To Resume Fight

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 3

Maoris, In Fine Fettle, Ready To Resume Fight

(From the Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.Ii.F.) THE MAORI TROOPS ARE IN FINE FETTLE AND ARE READY TO RESUME A FIGHTING ROLE ALONGSIDE THEIR PAKEHA BROTHERS. Fuller details of the action they fought in the wild hill country near Mt. Olympus just before they fell, back as part of the general withdrawal disclose that they were holding- a defensive position spread over an abnormally wide front along one side of a valley to the left of the main pass to Katerini.

Struck First Blow

There was one eventful day when they drove off strong enemy forces trying to break their line under- a shroud of mist. The Maoris struck the first blow early in the morning, when they used mortars to assist the artillery to inflict considerable damage to armoured vehicles massing at the pass mouth and approaching their front.

During the morning, as the mist rolled up the mountains, enemy lorries unloaded troops three miles ahead of the Maori line, and in the afternoon these were seen making a way into the bed of the valley from the opposite side. Maori machine-gunners peppered from above, but when the mist closed again fresh troops moved down and were able to penetrate the front line and encircle the forward platoon. Better Than Germans Hot exchanges of fire rang out in the valley as the Maoris fought to shake off the enemy threat, and comrades outside the circle entered the fray with bayonets fixed. This retaliation effectively checked the German advance. As soon as the mist cleared the enemy was easily driven out of the Maori position, for there, as everywhere else, the New Zealander proved more than a match for the Germans when met on equal terms.

Carrying all their gear and fighting equipment, the Maoris and South Islanders had to march the best part of the night over broken, bush-clad country to the main pass road, where vehicles waited. They completed the withdrawal, and the subsequent evacuation was successful, altogether not without incident. Some Maoris were on board a transport which was bombed at sea and sank after every man was taken off by warships. Others who, by coincidence, were in another of the few ships announced damaged by the Germans, escaped by diving overboard and swimming ashore, the vessel having been attacked in port.