World War 2
Read a biography of Bennett, in English and te reo Māori, on the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography = Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau website
This article appeared in the April 1990 NZ 28 Maori Battalion Golden Jubilee Reunion booklet.
5th C.O. - BENNETT, Charles Mohi, DSO
Born 27th July 1913, at Rotorua, was one of the original officers of the Battalion who had had no previous military experience. However, his service in Greece and Crete and the Libyan campaign together with his already well trained mind and appropriate staff courses, prepared him admirably to become the Maori Battalion's 5th C.O.
His abilities as a C.O. are well epitomised by this quote from the citation for his DSO.
"Throughout this very severe action (Point 209) he displayed initiative and determination of a high order and qualities of leadership and courage which were an inspiration to his Battalion".
At that time Charles Bennett was the youngest C.O. in the New Zealand Division.
Takupu (1)
LT.-COL. C. M. BENNETT news report
Submitted by TeAwhi_Manahi on Thu, 10/02/2011 - 08:50