Maori Battalion Commander Praises Ngapuhis

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1944, Page 2

Maori Battalion Commander Praises Ngapuhis

“People ol‘ New Zealand must realise that the war is not going to finish tomorrow, for it is going to be a long job.” remarked the officer commanding the 28th (Maori) Battalion, Lieu-tenant-Colonel K. A. (Reta) Keiha. M.C.. in an interview today with a representative of the “Northern Advocate." Colonel and Mrs Keiha are the guests of Mr and Mrs W. R. Mardon. of Whangarei. Colonel Keiha stated that he thought New Zealanders would have to make greater efforts and achieve greater results in future. Questioned concerning the activities overseas of the Ngapuhi tribe, the main Maori race which inhabits Northland, he stated that they were fine soldiers, the character of the traditional Maori being predominant among them. About one-quarter cf the members of the battalion were of the Ngapuhi tribe, and in accordance with the principles of the Maori Battalion were led by officers of their own kin.

While Colonel Keiha was commanding the Maori Battalion, the Ngapuhi company participated in a move to take a vital sector at Djebdjebbina. 15 miles from Pond du Fah. Casualties during the action were very light, only one Ngapuhi being killed. On the next day a new German gun, rushed up to the defensive line, accounted for five more Ngapuhis. but was finally destroyed. “There, as everywhere, the Ngapuhis displayed their traditional courage and resource,” he said. Colonel Keiha stated that when the late Colonel Love, leader of tlie Maori Battalion, was wounded in action, it fell to his lot. as senior officer, to lake charge of the battalion. When Colonel Love was wounded the battalion was participating in a daylight attack. Respected by Leaders

Previous to taking command of the Maori Battalion from April of last year until September. Colonel Keiha was in charge of a company of the Ngatiporou tribe. He stated that from the time the Ngapuhis had entered camp at Palmerston North in January, 1940, they had proved themselves to be wonderful soldiers to lead, inspiring great respect among their commanders. Asked if the Maoris were feared by the Germans because of their ferocious bayonet charges, he replied that the Maoris in actual combat, considered the fighting to be total warfare until their objective was attained. It had been with pleasure that on his return to the. Dominion he had discovered that his opinion of the worth of the Maori warrior was shared by New Zealanders as a whole, he stated. One factor which had stood paramount throughout the campaigning of the battalion, was that the commanding officer of the Maori Battalion should always be a Maori. Parcels received from the various patriotic organisations were widely appreciated by Die members of the battalion. ho staled, and their arrival was always awaited eagerly. The parcels were, in fact, a connecting link between the warriors and their loved ones at home. Throughout the Libyan campaigns the receipt of gift parcels had been regular and. during the fighting, they were even arriving right at the front line. Colonel Keiha stated that he could not agree with statements that parcels were not being received by members of the Second N.Z.E.F. The commander said that his visit to Northland had been for the purpose of meeting relatives of Ngapuhi members of the Maori Battalion. Although he had not contacted all the various sub-tribes of the Ngapuhis owing to the inconvenience of travel, he hoped that, when conditions routined to normal, he would be able to make a complete tour. The Ngapuhis had given him a wonderful reception wherever he had gone and his first visit to this tribe would always remain in his memory.