Polynesians’

Gallantry

What the Maoris Did in Tunisia

r THE Polynesian people not only have aligned themselves with the demo cracies of the United Nations in this world struggle, but also have displayed fighting qualities and a gallant high courage that entitle them to rank with the best men in the world.

With the British Bth Army, in North Africa, are two Polynesian units—the Maori Battalions of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and the Pacific Battalion, of the Fighting French — who, again and again, have performed feats which have won for them undying fame.

There must he a definite place in the post-war world for this kind of people.

In Tunisia, in April, the Maoris did an amazing thing. Here is an account of the incident hy William Munday, “Sydney Morning Herald” war correspondent. It is dated from Tunisia, April 28.

Eight Maoris and a New Zealand artillery observation officer fought their way to the top of 650 ft. high Takrouna Hill, when the Eighth Army resumed the offensive in Tunisia on April 19.

Although the rest of the attacking troops were still on the plain below, the nine men established themselves at night in the middle of the Germans and Italians on the hill top, and stayed there all next day, despite repeated attempts to dislodge them.

It was not until night that 50 more Maoris broke through the enemy cordon, to join the nine in their tiny, isolated fort.

The story of this daring exploit, which led to the capture of the very important strongpoint of Takrouna was related to day by a British general, who said: “It sounds like fiction.”

A comnany of Maoris got to the foot of the hill, which rises almost sheer from the plain, over which they had advanced under heavy fire.

Here, in shallow holes, the Maoris crouched while shells and mortar bombs burst among them.

Terrific Fire

Almost directlv above them, firing at close range, the Germans had 72 machine-guns, four 25-oounder gun howitzers, and at least six mortars, all entrenched in the hillside or on the brow of the overhanging summit, undercut by the native marauders, who had held the castle on the summit in bygone days.

All the officers of the Maori comnanv were casualties a sergeant assumed com mand. and selected four men.

“Let's go un to the ton ” he said. Hardlv had they moveH when even more intense fire was brought to hear on them The sergeant sent back for fom- moro men, instructing each to bring a Bren gun.

With Brens balanced on their shoulders, nointing almost straight up, and firing as they went the Maoris advanced un the slope. Thev kffiod the crews of a number of enemv machine-guns, a’nr? took others prisoner and reached the hill ton. Thev burrowed into a tiny hollow, and placed stones around it for added protection.

German and Italian troops closed around them, and tried a dozen times to over-run them, but each time the Maoris, with their Brens and captured machine guns stopped them with heavy casualties, and held on until the hill was over-run by the NZ force.

Three of the Maoris were killed in de fending the summit, but the survivors joined in driving the enemy down the slopes.