This Beretta Model 1915-19 pistol was taken from a captured Italian soldier in North Africa by Sergeant Pekama Hunia of C Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion. Like other New Zealand troops, Māori Battalion soliders were keen souvenir hunters. They also often acquired enemy weapons, especially German machine guns, to bolster their own unit's firepower.
Hunia was killed in action in Italy on 15 December 1944. He was mentioned in dispatches (15 February 1945) by General Bernard Freyberg for 'distinguished service in the field'.
Reference:
Image courtesy National Army Museum Te Mata Toa
Accession Number: 1996.429
Permission of the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.
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