Reconnaissance patrol report, 28 July 1942

Report on reconnaissance patrol for 28 July 1942 submitted by 2/Lt Meta Francis.

28 Jul, Sun

0100 hrs one platoon of B Coy under 2/Lt Francis moved out on patrol but was hampered by the moonlight and enemy machine gun fire. “First Light” normal “Stand to” there is a heavy mist over the area. Occasional enemy shelling over the Brigade area, mainly in 21 Battalion area. A and B Coys being subjugated to occasional bursts of concentrated shelling but suffered no casualties. The enemy tactics seemed to be to range with air burst shells followed by 10 to 12 shells in rapid succession on a comparatively small area, instead of the usual desultory fire during the day. Generally it was a quiet day. Towards last light the enemy put over the customary shelling with which we were getting quite familiar. Two compressors from the 7 Field Coy NZE report to the Battalion at last light and go to forward. Coys to dig coy positions. The noise of the drilling attracts a certain amount of machine gun fire but work on Battalion area has progressed steadily. Since the move to this area the men have been resting during the day and digging throughout the night, when it is cooler and less likelihood of suffering casualties.

Read more about the Māori Battalion’s activities in the July 1942 war diary.