MAORI’S HEROISM

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22064, 15 June 1943, Page 4

MAORI’S HEROISM

AWARDED THE D.C.M. INTENSE FIRE FACED STRUGGLE UP HILL (Omclal War Correspondent N’.Z.E.F.) (Received June 15, 3.15 p.m.) CAIRO, June 13 One Distinguished Conduct Medal, two Military Medals and the Bar to the Military Medal are announced in the latest list of New Zealand Expeditionary Force gallantry awards. The story of an ascent of the steep sides of Takrouna and the bitter fighting which won and held the pinnacle hill fortress during the New Zealand attack on the night of April 19 is told in thcj citation regarding a Rotorua Maori, Sergeant H. Manahi, who wins the Distinguished Conduct Medal for cool judgment, resolute determination and outstanding personal bravery in this spectacular assault. Signalman G. J. Nilson is awarded the Bar to his Military Medal for gallantry in laying and maintaining signal wires during the same action, and another member of the New Zealad Divisional Signals, Corporal A. G Davies, of Coromandel, received the Military Medal for similarly outstanding work in maintaining communications during the battle of Takrouna. The Military Medal is awarded to Sergeant W. R. Brown, of Christchurch, of the Divisional Cavalry, for gallantry on March 27 during an attack through the Tebaga Gap towards El Hamma and again during the battle of the Gabes Gap on April 7. Continued to Advance Sergeant Manahi, states the citation, led a section of a Maori platoon which was responsible for gaining the first foothold on the pinnacle of Takrouna Rock, a platform right on top of the feature. Early in the advance his platoon came under heavy fire, which caused many casualties, including the platoon commander. The first light on April 20 found the platoon reduced in strength to ten and pinned to the ground a short way up the feature under heavy mortar and small arms fire. Nevertheless, the platoon continued to advance, Sergeant Manahi leading a small party of three men up the western side. During this advance they encountered heavy mach-ine-gun fire from posts on the slope and extensive sniping by the enemy on the pinnacle. In order to reach the objective Sergeant Manahi and his party climbed 500 feet, the last fifty feet being up an almost sheer rock cliff. During the whole time they were under heavy fire. At the head of his small party Sergeant Manahi silenced several machine-gun posts. Eventually climbing hand over hand they reached the pinnacle, where after a bnef fight, they forced some sixty of the enemy, including an observation post officer, to surrender Sergeant Manahi’s party was then’ joined by the remainder of the platoon and the pinnacle was captured. Within a short time the small area of the summit was subjected to intense mortar fire from a considerable enemy force still holding Takrouna village which lies below the pinnaefe, and also from the northern and western slopes of the feature, which was still in enemy hands. ■ (1 ? e F est of the stor y had not arrived when we went to press.)