Māori battalion
The 28th Māori Battalion was a renowned New Zealand military unit formed during the Second World War, made up primarily of Māori volunteers from across different iwi. Organized by tribal lines into companies, the battalion became legendary for its courage, combat skill, and unshakable spirit. It was part of the 2nd New Zealand Division and trained in England before being deployed to the Mediterranean.
They first saw combat in Greece and Crete in 1941, where their close-quarters fighting and bayonet charges earned them a fearsome reputation. In Crete, they fought German paratroopers in brutal hand-to-hand combat, clearing enemy positions with speed and intensity. These early battles marked the beginning of a reputation for toughness and bravery that would follow them throughout the war.
In North Africa, they fought in key battles such as Minqar Qaim, El Alamein, and the Tebaga Gap. Their role at Tebaga Gap was particularly heroic, where Second Lieutenant Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu led an assault that earned him a posthumous Victoria Cross. Another heroic action took place at Takrouna in Tunisia, where Sergeant Haane Manahi led a daring and successful assault on a heavily defended hilltop. Though he was recommended for the Victoria Cross, he was ultimately awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, a decision that has remained controversial.
The battalion later moved to Italy, where they fought in some of the most difficult campaigns of the war, including battles at Orsogna and Cassino. These engagements were marked by heavy casualties and grueling conditions, but the Māori soldiers continued to lead from the front. They fought all the way north through Italy until the final Allied push in 1945.
Throughout the war, over 3,600 men served with the battalion. Of these, 649 were killed and over 1,700 wounded. They received more individual bravery awards than any other New Zealand unit, including one Victoria Cross, multiple Distinguished Conduct Medals, Military Medals, and foreign awards such as the US Silver Star.
There are numerous accounts—some based on wartime rumors and post-war recollections—that Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the famed German commander in North Africa, expressed admiration for the Māori Battalion. One widely quoted phrase attributed to him is, "Give me a Māori Battalion and I will conquer the world." While there is no direct record of Rommel saying this in his writings, it reflects the deep respect the battalion earned from friend and foe alike.
General Bernard Freyberg, who commanded the New Zealand forces during the war, said that no infantry unit had a more distinguished record or saw more fighting than the Māori Battalion. Their legacy is remembered not just in military history but in the enduring pride of the Māori people and the nation of New Zealand.
