"FOR VALOUR"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 16, 19 October 1943, Page 6

"FOR VALOUR"

MARETH LINE EPIC

DEED THAT WON THE V.G

The deed that earned the first Victoria Cross ever lo be awarded to a Maori was lor valour during the attack on the iMareth Line, in southern Tunisia, on March 2(> of the present year. "During the action ol' Tebaga Gap oi! March 2(i," the olFicial citation states, "Second-Lieutenant Te Moana Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu commanded a platoon in an attack upon a vital hill feature, Point 20! J. He was given tiie task of attacking and capturing an under-fcature forward of Point 209 itself, and held in considerable strength by the enemy. lie led his men Avith great determination straight up the lace of the hill, undeterred by the intense mortar and machine gun fire, which caused considerable casualties. "'Displaying courage and leadership of the highest order, he was himself first on the hill crest, xjersonally annihilating at least two enemy machine gun posts. In face of such a determined attack the remainder of the enemy lied, but a further advance Avas impossible as the reverse slope Avas SAvept by machine gun fire from Point 209 itself. Under the cover of a most intense mortar barrage the enemy countcrattac'ked and Lieutenant Ngarimu personally killed se\ T en. He Avas tAvice AA'Oumled, once by rifle lire in the shoulder and later by shrapnel in the leg, and though urged by both his commanding officer and the battalion commanded to go out, he had refused to do so, saying that he Avould stay a little Avhile Avith his men. He stayed till lie met. his death the following morning. "Darkness found this officer and his depleted platoon lying on a rockjr face of the. fonvard slope of the hill feature Avith the enemy in a similar position on the reverse slope about 20 yards distant. "Inspired Leadership" "Throughout the night the enemy repeatedly launched fierce attacks in an attempt to dislodge Lieutenant Ngarimu and his men, but each enemy counter attack aya-s broken off entirely by Lieutenant Ngarimu's inspired, leadership. During one of these counter attacks the enemy, by using hand grenades, sueceedcd in piercing a certain part of the. line. Without hesitation, this officer rushed to the threatened area and those of the. enemy he did not kill lie drove back with stones and Avith his Tommy-gun. "During another determined counter attack by the enemy, part of his line broke. Yelling orders of encouragement, he rallied his men and led them in a fierce onslaught back into their old positions. All through the night between the attacks he and his men Avere heavily harrassed by machine gun and mortar fire, but Lieutenant Ngarimu Avatehcd his line very carefully, cheering his men on and inspiring them by his gallant personal conduct.

"Morning found, him still in possession of the hill feature, hut only lie and two unwounded other ranks remained. Reinforcements were sent up to him. In the morning the enemy again counter attacked and it was during this attack that Lieutenant Ngarimu was killed. He was killed on his feet, defiantly facing the enemy with his Tommy-gun at his hip. As he fell he came to rest almost on top of those of the enemy who had fallen to his gun, the number of whom testified to his outstanding courage and fortitude." Born 24 years ago, Lieutenant Ngariinu was educated at native schools in the East Coast district, and later at Te Aute College, subsequently being engaged on his father's station near Ruatoria. Well known as, an outstanding Rugby player, he represented the East Coast. He went to camp on February 28, 1940, and left New Zealand as a private in the Maori Battalion, which sailed with the Second Echelon. He served in all the campaigns, and earned liis commission in the field. If he had given tiis correct age when he enlisted, lie would not have ".ailed with the Second Echelon. He gave the date of birth as April 7, 1918, making it. a year before the actual date, and in this he had the support of his father, who was rce u' t'ng Maoris for the. purpose of forming the battalion. Mr Ngnrimu regarded th 3 enlistment of his own ion as essential to the success of. the ?c u" ting "a !y. A brother, Corporal llenai-3 Nganinu, also served overseas, but. was invalided home.