MAORIS IN ACTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24632, 13 June 1941, Page 5

MAORIS IN ACTION

TRADITIONS UPHELD HIGH PRAISE EARNED GERMANS WILT BEFORE BAYONETS (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, May 6. Of all the tales of heroism and daring action in Greece, the stories told by returning Anzacs of the brave Maori have a ring which is consonant with the traditions of their people. Brought up in an atmosphere of romantic legend and fierce fighting history, this lovable race from “ down under ” showed wonderful fighting qualities when faced with the full brunt' of a German blitz attack. The Maori battalion had occupied a defensive position on the west of Olympus Pass as a forward unit in the

general New Zealand line of defence. They were supported and protected by macnine guns situated in forward flanking positions, and the front was well wared. After long days of fighting, marching and digging they at last were able to rest awhile —but not for long. For some reason the Hun planned a fullscale attack on their position. Obsessed with his idea of racial superiority he, perhaps, thought that the Maori would break. He did not know the Maori. A Blitz Attack A cold misty dawn broke over the rocky mountain passes. The sentries had been warned that something was happening. Through the gloom they discovered that in , one sector the Hun had come through the beaten zone covered by machine guns, and was actually penetrating the wire. The alarm was given. The machine guns opened up, cutting off the large forces which were penetrating the wire. The blitz began in all its fury—clouds of dive bombers appeared and pounded the shallow trenches in which the Maoris had spent the night. Tanks moved up to the attack with their spiteful small cannon belching forth destruction. The Huns in the wire, however, were the chief concern of the Maori. They either had to lie low in their trenches to avoid the cruel splinters of bomb blasts and hope to hold the Hun. with small arms fire or get out and fight. Meanwhile, the Hun advanced boldly through the wire. In one sector they were almost through. There was no hesitation. A decision was made. Determined Charges While some were singing their famous battalion song a detachment in the sector was ordered to charge with fixed bayonets. They began to chant an ancient tribal haka, and led by a famous “All Black,” they charged. Into blazing tommy-gun fire they rushed, never for a moment hesitating in their determination to destroy the power which seeks to destroy that personal liberty which is so dear to the Maori. At the bayonet point the forward Hun elements met their death, while our useful mortars cleaned out the others who were still in the wire. The slaughter was terrific. During the same attack another Maori detachment had gone back for ammunition and rations. When they were returning to the front lines they found that their passage was blocked by the enemy, who had infiltrated through the flanks. The party charged into the German tommy-guns and drove the intruders away at the bayonet point. On this occasion the Hun ran.

Many tales have been told by the Maori about the Hun's horror of the bayonet.. When the withdrawal from Olympus began they had to fight their way out through advanced German troops who had penetrated our lines. An artillery officer tells an, amusing story. As the Maoris passed him, carrying their rifles and machine-guns, he called out: “ Going duck shooting. Hori? ” “ No, pai korry, we no shoot." replied Hori, holding up his bayonet. “ the bayonet plurry good medicine.”