Māori Battalion diary - August 1941

Overview

The first half of August was spent at Kabrit on the Bitter Lake portion of the Suez Canal in Egypt where with the rest of 5 Brigade the Māori Battalion underwent three weeks’ combined operations training – landing from assault landing craft, learning the use of special equipment such as scaling ladders and poles, nets for crossing wire defences, and wire-cutters.  The course culminated in an exercise in which the Battalion embarked on a naval transport, sailed for some hours, manned assault landing craft and made a dawn beach landing.  During this period the Battalion’s top athletes represented the unit at the New Zealand Divisional Sports held at King Farouk Stadium, the tug-o-war team winning their event. The second half of August was spent at Tahag, some 20 miles (32km) west of Ismailia. Here the Battalion trained for desert warfare, while 20% of the men went on daily leave to Cairo or Port Said. [1]

At the beginning of August the Battalion had its full complement of 32 officers plus the doctor and padre who were attached: 

  • Lt-Colonel: George Dittmer
  • Majors: George Bertrand, Humphrey Dyer
  • Captains: George Weir, Tiwi Love, Doug Harvey, Fred Baker, Rangi Royal, Parekura Tureia, Whetu Werohia, M. T. S. Dew, Paul Te Punga
  • Lieutenants: Charles Bennett, Ben Porter, Reta Keiha, Gordon Ormond, Tiwha Bennett, Terry Gilroy, Chris Sorrenson, Dan Urlich
  • Second Lieutenants: Peta Awatere, Don Stewart,  Henry Toka, Ariari (Addie) Mitchell, Aubrey Rota, Hone Green, Jack Reedy, Jim Matehaere, Ruhi Pene, Jim Tuhiwai, Paki West, Pine Taiapa, H. T. Maloney, Jack Ormsby, Tony Tikao-Barrett, Tutu Wirepa
  •  Attached: Capt. M. Kronfield (RMO) Capt. Kahi Harawira (unit padre)

Diary

  • 1 Aug: Combined operations training.
  • 2 Aug: Normal routine as per syllabus. Leave to Ismailia and Suez is arranged.  The following officers left during the week:  Major George Bertrand on sick leave, 2/Lts Tony Tikao-Barrett, Tutu Wirepa, and Jack Ormsby and Lt Gordon Ormond transferred to base.  These officers joined the Battalion during the week:  Capt Tiwi Love, Lts Charles Bennett, Chris Sorrenson and Reta Keiha, 2/Lts Jack Reedy, Atanatiu Te Puni and Rangi Logan, all of who marched in from CTC., Kabrit and Lt Terry Gilroy who returned from rear guard duties.  The unit’s strength was 34 officers (incl. two attached) and 649 ORs (incl. 4 attached).
  • 3 Aug: 0920 hrs church parade. Battalion easy for rest of day.
  • 4 Aug: Combined operations training.  Battalion athletic team left for Cairo to compete in the 2NZEF meeting.
  • 5 Aug: Combined operations training.  The N.Z. Divisional Sports held at King Farouk Stadium.  The following were the Battalion representatives:  100, 200 (yds) - Pte Waaka Rewa of Matakohe.  880 yds - Pte Moses Makoare of Dargaville.  440 yds - Pte Karipori Hongara of Hiruharama. 1 mile - Pte Joe Te Rangi of Wellington.  Javelin, putting the shot, discus – 2/Lt Pine Taiapa of Tikitiki. Broad jump, hop-step and jump - Pte Thomas Delamere of Omaio.  Tug-o-war team – Sgt Hitini Kereopa of Pongakawa, Sgt Kipa Rickit of Awanui, Sgt Rewi Wikiriwhi of Maketu, Cpl Herewini Gage, Pte Paul Hona of Hokianga, Pte Jack Epiha of Matauri Bay, Pte Henry Skipper of New Plymouth.  The tug-o-war team won its section of the programme.  See photo of men of Maori Battalion at N.Z.Divisional Sports
  • 6-9 Aug: Normal routine.  Training as per syllabus.  8 August Capts Fred Baker and Doug Harvey transferred to the Composite Training Depot, while Lt Rangi Logan left for a course with 5 Field Regiment. The unit’s strength was 34 officers (incl. two attached) and 743 ORs (incl. 5 attached).
  • 10 Aug: 0940 hrs church parade. Battalion easy for rest of day.
  • 11 Aug: 0445 hrs reveille. 0515 hrs breakfast then Battalion prepared for combined operations and marched to Kabrit. Operations were carried out according to syllabus and operation orders.  Capts Rangi Royal and Whetu Werohia returned to the unit.
  • 12 Aug: Battalion rested in the morning.  Route march as per syllabus in the afternoon.
  • 13 Aug: Training as per syllabus in the morning until 1230 hrs. Battalion easy for rest of day. A conference was held in the officers’ mess on the Combined Training Course re night operations.  Sgt Alfred Edward McRae of Ōhinemutu, WOII Eddie Morgan of Rotorua, WOII E. J. (Ben) Ropata of Wellington, as candidates for OCTU went to Brigade HQ for an interview by the Brigade Commander.  Arrangements were made for some of the soldiers to broadcast home. They sent several messages.
  • 14 Aug: Normal routine.  Training as per syllabus. Capt Doug Harvey returned to the unit.
  • 15 Aug: In the morning normal routine.  Training as per syllabus.  In the afternoon boat races were held at Kabrit Point between the following units: the Navy - 3 crews, 5th Field Ambulance - 2 crews, 28 (Māori) Bn - 2 crews, Anti Tank - 2 crews, 21 Bn - 2 crews, 23 Bn - 2 crews. There were four heats and the winner was judged by the fastest time over the course.  The 28 Battalion A Team was first with a time of 5 minutes 25 seconds.  The B Team was second with a time of 5 minutes 45 seconds.  Mr Charlie B Bennett (Charles Basil Bennet) - secretary of the YMCA is attached to the Battalion.  Read more about the role of the YMCA in supporting the Maori Battalion.
  • 16 Aug: Major Bertrand returned from sick leave and Lt Jim Tuhiwai of Tolaga Bay was admitted to 19 General Hospital.  The unit’s strength excluding officers was 754 ORs (incl. 7 attached). 6 reinforcements were still required to bring the Battalion to full strength. 2100 hrs to 2230 hrs Battalion held a concert at naval barracks, Kabrit Point in recognition of the services and helpful considerations extended by the combined operations training at Kabrit. 
  • 17Aug: 0900 hrs valises were loaded onto trucks and sent to Camp 57 at Geneifa.  Lt-Col George Dittmer reviewed the operations carried out during the last few days.  The rest of the morning was spent cleaning the camp. 1900 hrs Battalion moved out of area for new location. 2230 hrs arrived at Geneifa Camp after a very fast route march.
  • 18 Aug: 0930 hrs church parade.  Later leave was given to all ranks to allow them to go bathing and also to attend the Camp Cinema.
  • 19 Aug: 0900 hrs Battalion embussed and moved to new location called Tahag.  Battalion occupied Camp 35, Tahag map ref. 012739 sheet S4/60 Zagazig.
  • 20 Aug: 0800 hrs Battalion went one hour route march. 0900 hrs training commenced as per syllabus. A special guard under 2/Lt Ruhi Pene of Rotorua comprising six NCOs and 30 ORs went to Port Said.
  • 21 Aug: Training as per syllabus was carried out in the morning.  In the afternoon the syllabus was altered and practice in various phases of convoy work by selected representatives of Coys was carried out. The Bn 2IC Major Bertrand directed operations. A distance of approximately 18 miles (28 km) was covered.  Vehicles used were ten 3-ton trucks, two 15 cwt. trucks and 17 motor cycles.
  • 22 Aug:Normal routine, training as per syllabus during the day. 1330 hrs Battalion route march approximately 10 miles (16 km) was covered.  A feature of the march was that only the Section Commanders carried water which was to have been used only in cases of an emergency.
  • 23 Aug: Normal routine, training as per syllabus.  Leave was granted to 20% of each company strength for either Cairo or Port Said.  Leave was from 0930 hrs till 2359 hrs.  The unit’s strength excluding officers was 745 ORs (incl. 7 attached).  15 reinforcements were required to bring the Battalion to full strength.
  • 24 Aug: 0930 hrs church parade.  The service was conducted by the Chaplain general to the N.Z. Forces Bishop Gerrard.  He stayed the day with the Battalion and showed films in the evening. After the service leave for 20% of each company strength was granted to either Cairo or Port Said. 
  • 25 Aug: Normal routine, training as per syllabus.
  • 26 Aug: Normal routine, training as per syllabus.   
  • 27 Aug: Normal routine, training as per syllabus.  1800 hrs parties moved off on special tactical training in signals.
  • 28 Aug: Normal routine, training as per syllabus. 
  • 29 Aug: Training as per syllabus except that from 1630 hrs to 2230 hrs Battalion carried out a route march. The companies had to be 200yds apart.
  • 30 Aug: Normal routine, training as per syllabus.  Special guard under 2/Lt Pene returned from Port Said. The unit’s strength excluding officers was 736 ORs (incl. 6 attached). 23 reinforcements were still required to bring the Battalion to full strength.
  • 31 Aug: Rev. Kahi Harawira was away on leave therefore no church parade was held.  Battalion easy for rest of day.

REFERENCE

Archives New Zealand = Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
28 NZ (Maori) Battalion War Diary, WAII 1 1664 DA 68/1/20.

Footnote

[1] Cody, p. 155.

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