Private McLean tackles enemy mortars and machine guns

This citation for Robert McLean's Military Medal is reproduced from the April 1990 NZ 28 Maori Battalion Golden Jubilee Reunion booklet: 

801643 Private Robert McLean M.M.

During the crossing of the SANTERNO river on the 10 April, 1945, Pte McLEAN commanded the section which was detailed to form the Company's initial bridgehead, during which he displayed outstanding courage and initiative in that, moving forward under hostile shelling and spandau fire, he led his section against enemy resistance wherein the section destroyed one enemy mortar and crew while he personally captured a spandau post killing fifteen of the enemy. The bridgehead thus created his Coy passed through to fight their way to their final objective, after which Pte McLEAN led his section up to consolidate on the final objective. After consolidation the enemy counter attacked several times but the sector his section held was defended gallantly by his men and on the whole, the success of the section and his platoon was due to the dash and gallant leadership of this soldier.

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