VICTORIA CROSS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23966, 5 June 1943, Page 6

VICTORIA CROSS

MAORI OFFICER’S GALLANTRY POSTHUMOUS AWARD ANNOUNCED (P A.) WELLINGTON, June 4. The King has approved the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Second-Lieutenant Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngatimu, of the New Zealand Military Forces, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon, P. Fraser) announced to-day. This‘ morning Mr Fraser sent a telegram to. Mr Hamucra Ngarimu, ot Ruatona. East Coast (North Island), congratulating him on the great honour conferred on his son, and expressing deep regret that Second-Lieuten-ant Ngarimu did not live to receive the award he had ~n gallantly won. The official citation says: “During the i action at Tebaga Gap on March 26. Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu commanded a platoon in an attack upon a vita] hill feature, Point 209. He was given the task of attacking and capturing an uncierfeaturc, forward of Point 200 itself, which was held in considerable strength by the enemy, “He led his men with great determination straight up the face of the hill, undeterred by intense mortar and machine-gun fire, which caused considerable casualties. “Displaying courage and leadership of the highest order, ho was himself the first on the hill crest, personally annihilating at least two enemy ma-chine-gun posts. In the face of such a determined attack, the remainder of the enemy fled, but a further advance I was impossible, as the reverse slope was swept by machine-gun fire from Point 209 itself. “Under cover of the most intense mortar barrage, the enemy counterattacked. and Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu ordered his men to stand up and engage the enemy man for man. This they did with such good effect that the attackers wore literally mown clown. Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu personally killing seven. ‘‘Twice Wounded” “He was twice wounded, once by rifle fire in the shoulder and later by shrapnel in the leg, and, though urged by both his commanding officer and battalion commanders to go out. he refused to do so. saying that he would stay a little while with his men. He stayed until he met his death. “Darkness found this officer and his depleted platoon lying on the rocky face of the forward slope of the hill feature, with the enemy in a similar position on the reverse slope about 20 yards distant. Throughout the night the enemy repeatedly launched fierce attacks in an attempt to dislodge Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu and his men, but each counter-attack was beaten off—entirely by Ngarimu’s 'nspired leadership. • "During one of these counter-attacks the enemy, by using hand grenades, succeeded in piercing a certain part of the line. Without hesitation, this officer rushed to the threatened area! and those of the enemy whom he did not kill he drove back with stones and with his tommy-gun. "During another determined counterattack by the enemy, part of his line broke. Yelling orders and encouragement, he rallied his men and led them in a fierce onslaught back into their old positions All through the night, between attacks, he and his men were heavily harassed by ma-chine-gun and mortar fire, but SecondLieutenant Ngarimu watched 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, but only he and two unwounded men of other ranks remained. Reinforcements were sent up to him. In the morning the enemy again counter-attacked, and u was during this attack that SecondLieutenant 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 outstanding courage and fortitude.”