16 December
1941 A Company of the Māori Battalion advance on Point
137 assisted by 22 Battalion's D Company.
14 men from A Company and 2 from 22 Battalion die this day. The advance is at a standstill and the
Battalion hold their position.
The
document pictured above is a secret order is issued on this day. For more
detail see the December 1941 diary.
The following is a transcript of the secret order:
To:-
A.B.C.D.Hqrs Coys, Bn.Hqrs. & Attached Units
From. 28
Maori BN. SECRET 16
Dec 41
The 28 Group will hold present position - no
move to-day.
Dig in
present positions strongly.
A and B Coy will hold the valley
selecting suitable positions near or forward of Point 154. Pioneers and engineers will report to Point
154 and assist those Coys to dig in. Engineers and Pioneers will occupy tonight
FORT 181. Coy of 22 BN will after dark
withdraw and report back to 22 BN at BIR EL GEFF. D Coy will hold present position but will
RECCE reserve position at Point 154 in rear of A and B Coy and be prepared to
move in here in the dark if required.
C Coy will occupy the strongest position
at or near present location, and make efforts to co-operate with right flank of
B coy.
A Coy will be connected by
telephone. Units will ensure that they have plenty of ammunition and food, and
fire of automatic weapons inter-lock across their front.
Artillery will register defensive
fire in front of 4 Coy positions. R.S.M.
will Command Headquarters details in PORT 181.
Bren carriers four with A and B Coys
remainder in reserve at 181. M.M.Gs. 1
Pl. with A and B coys 1 Section to C Coy, Sjt Petres Section will report to Bde
Hqrs. D Coy will use own automatic
weapons.
4 Mortars with A and B coys 2 with C
Coy.
Engineers and Pioneers will NOT
report at 154 until dark.
Battle strength required immediately from
Coys who have Not submitted case.
Sgd.
C Sorenson Capt.
Adjutant.
28 Maori BN.
Comments (0)