RUATORIA V.C.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21112, 4 June 1943, Page 2

RUATORIA V.C.

MAORI OFFICER

TUNISIAN EPIC FOUGHT TILL HE DIED MAGNIFICENT LEADER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June -I. The Prime Minister has received advice that the King lias been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross (<> Second Lieutenant Moana-Nui-a-Kaiwa Ngariinu, of the New Zealand military forces.

Mr. Fraser forwarded this morning a telegram to Mr. Haniuera Ngarimu, of Euatoria, congratulating him on the great honour conferred on his son and expressing deep regret that ho did not live to receive the award he had so gallantly won. The official citation says: “During the action at Tebaga gap on March 26 •Second Lieutenant Ngarimu commanded a platoon in an attack upon a vital hill feature, Point 209. He was given the task of attacking and capturing an under-feature forward of Point 209 itself, and held in considerable strength by the enemy. He led his men with great determination straight up the face of the hill, undeterred by the intense mortar and machine-gun lire, which caused considerable casualties. Wiped Out Machine-gunners “Displaying courage and leadership of the highest order, he was himself first on the hill crest, personally annihilating at least two enemy machinegun posts. In face of such a determined attack the remainder of the enemy fled, but a further advance was impossible as the reverse slope was swept by machine-gun fire from Point 209 itself. Under the cover of a most intense mortar barrage the enemy counter - attacked and Lieutenant Ngarimu ordered his men to stand up and engage the enemy inan-for~man. This they did with such good effect that the attackers were literally mown down. Lieutenant Ngarimu personally killing seven. 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 the battalion commanders to go out. he had refused to do so, saying that he would stay a little, while with his men. lie stayed till he met his death the following morning. ‘Darkness found this officer and his depleted platoon lying on a 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 enertty repeatedly launched fierce attacks in an attempt to dislodge Lieutenant Ngarimu and his man, but each counter-attack was beaten off entirely bv Lieutenant Ngarimu’S inspired 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 hushed to the threatened area and those of the enemy he did not kill he drove back with stones and with his Tommy-gun. ‘Killed on His Feet” “During another determined coun-ter-attack by the enemy, part of his line broke. Yelling orders Of encouragement, he rallied liis men and led tiiem in a fierce onslaught back into their old positions. All through the night between the attacks he-and his men were heavily harassed by machine-gun and mortar fire, but Lieutenant 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 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. ITe was killed on his foot, defiantly facing the enemy with his t Tommy-gun at his hip. As he fell lie came to rest almost on top of those of the enemy who had fallen to his gun, the number of whom tesfified to his outstanding courage and forlitude. ”