The Shocking History of New Zealand's Incredible Maori Soldiers
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- This episode is a detailed look at the history of Maori soldiers, especially in the two world wars. German Field marshal Erwin Rommel allegedly said of them, "Give me a Maori Battalion and I will conquer the world." But what is the full history and just how effective were they? let's find out.
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I'm an Aussie, and I've served in the army. Aussie and Kiwi troops are top class but Maroris are from a warrior culture, maybe like Spartans. They are something different. No fear, pure aggression to get the job done.
Yeah mate. They have deep connection to their warrior past not long ago. They lived purely by warrior code, honor. A principal called Mana that encompasses this and more. They are connected to making instant decisions, without fear, living in raw nature.
They are also darn good company. Great workers and a lot of fun, they love music, singing and laughing.
And as well very intelligent and adaptable.
@@HighMaintenancePSWow you nailed us perfectly bro. I especially like how you mentioned music which all Maori love with a passion.
We're not always out there knocking heads bro. 😊
The guy that commented the Stat Set, not only are you BANG ON but I'm impressed with YOUR AWARENESS Sir !!! 🫱🏼🫲🏾
You might Wana add after that,
That were Probably feeling Damn Exposed aswell, lol 😂
They are Warriors but not in the same class as the Spartans.
@@terryharris1291 Beleive your fairytales and Hollywood movies if you will. I suppose you think navy seals are tough ? People like you are so easily led. Spartans were in real life very small guys. Small like your mind.
If you know history you'd know the Spartans were beaten in battle more times than I've had hot dinners.
I appreciate the effort to pronounce our people's name correctly.
My partner of many years could never pronounce Maori words. Bless his heart
There is correct Maori pronunciation of Maori words, and there is correct English pronunciation of Maori-derived words, but it is not the same pronunciation.
im glad, I had a quick scroll and havent seen any pronunciation nazis in the comments yet, lots of te reo speakers like to gate keep. great to see a positive comment reguarding effort and pronunciation.
@@PenelopeFoote-jw4nuNever heard that one before! Sounds very disrespectful to deliberately pronounce word incorrectly, don't you think?
The fact is, that some Englsh speaking people pronounce Maori words incorrectly and don't bother learning the correct pronunctiation.
Do you have any idea what would happen if Maori people happily mispronounced every English word? I definitely do!
@barbsmart7373 he's talking about te reo Maori. Before colonization happend the top of the north and bottem of the south spoke quite a different dialect to each other. People seem to have forgotten that maori culture was extremely diverse throughout the country and that there was more then one way of pronouncing things.
My father in law was in the South African sappers in North Africa against the Afrika Corp stationed next to the Māori Battalion. He told me that a message was sent to Montgomery from the Germans to ask the when the Māoris overrun the German lines not to bayonet all the Germans, Montgomery never replied. My father in law told this story when he visited us in NZ when we were in Waitangi.
When it came to the bayonet and hand to hand combat, the Maori were the superpower.
Yup the Turks found that out also.
Waitangi is a special place my friend ! I am glad you made it there ❤nga mihi e hoa 😁
An amazing tradition of Maori families is to sometimes name children after the fallen soldiers or the placenames where they fought. One of my workmates was called Alamein, and when I asked, she told me her uncle had fought there and lost his life. Her father of course, had survived. He honoured his brother by naming his daughter Alamein, a name she carried proudly and with honour.
Sounds like the storyline of the Taika Waititi movie “boy”
Yes my cousin had that name as well after our uncle passed away at el alamein - our grandmother's brother
I worked alongside a young woman in 1971 in Wellington - her name was also Alamein, named for a member of her whanau who had died there in WW2.
just to add, I've also known a few named Cassino.
We never lost to the British , that’s why the treaty of Waitangi was signed.Trench warfare was a huge part of our battle strategies/ambushing , it nullified the English musket . So therefore , we were never conquered as a people . We agreed to a partnership with the English to govern New Zealand and the treaty of Waitangi was signed .
The treaty was signed before the Maori wars but was never nulled
@@jamesluckhurst4798I think the fact that the treaty and te tiriti are different but fasely presented as the same nullifies it.
yeah... but the treaty of Waitangi was 1840ish...... the wars, the Maori wars were much later. After the signing up, so to speak.
They were rebels, as they were meant to be under a unified leadership (including Maori).... but they still carried on in the traditional tribal manner (like doing whatever they wanted to do).
Yup, they couldn't take Maori by force, hence why they had to take the slow and steady 'legal' route of population displacement for ownership of Aotearoa.
The Maori Battalions and the soldiers that served in the New Zealand Defence force deserve the utmost respect... The 1st and 2nd world war's took many lives most of them were just kids at the time the cream of Maori communities served young men not all returned home.
At the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will
Remember them.
Lest we forget.
We will remember them
Respect
A fantastic fighting force we salute them!
28th
Lest We Forget
🇳🇿❣️🇦🇺
I just hate that they lost their lives for some rich, powerful, inbred pricks squabbles/squabbling over in Europe under the guise of freedom.
Apparently Ngarimu ran out of grenades at one point and started throwing rocks into machine gun nests. A thump is a thump in the pitch black. Lol.
C company, the cowboys, A company the Gumdiggers B company pennydiver C company the cowboys and Ngati walkabout D company Te Hokowhitu a Tuu,otherwise known as the Maori battalion.
The Bro Ngarimu from Te Kaha E.C
I'm new to your channel, and I'm very impressed with 1) your careful and open citation of sources, 2) your effort to properly pronounce the Maori language, and 3) your simple and direct presentation (without unnecessary and distracting graphics). Thanks for sharing. And best wishes from Aotearoa New Zealand!
Many thanks for your kind words...Sometime I do get carried away with graphics though...will try and keep my inclination under control.
I have met Apiata twice. The times I met him was when he came to the secondary school where I worked to speak to our students along with other ex-SAS comrades. He is an incredibly humble man, and it takes a lot for him to speak in front of large groups, but he has a huge mana which gets straight to the heart of even the most cynical and know-it-all 14 year old. His message is eloquent and its thesis is: never give up, and always support your comrades/community, whoever they may be. Both times he brought his medals - including his VC which is worth over $250,000 on the open market - and handed them out to the hall of over two hundred children to pass around. I have a photo of myself holding them, it brings tears to my eyes.
He and his comrades from the SAS are formidable just to have in the same room. The mana is palpable just looking at the eyes of these quiet men who have stared death in the face over and over, and risked everything for each other. He is one of the main reasons I am proud to be from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Thanks a lot for sharing this great story.
Yes the first non Fijian military commander became the leader of the first NZ SAS
I did my territorial basic training with Willie, 90th intake Waiouru. He showed leadership skills even as a recruit. The man was always sharp in and out of training.
Kia ora.
Thanks for sharing those experiences with us.
My life has really changed for the better after seeing the Maori culture in action wherever I go. Yep, humility is an incredible thing....and mana that iis palpable.
The passing around of his medals is beautiful.
Tumeke.
I cannot imagine the psychological impact the Haka would have in the world wars. No way a Turk or German grunt heard or seen anything like it.
In 1941 or 42 ,the Māori Battalion performed a naked haka in front of Italian positions. The battalion were armed with naked bayonets. The Italians suddenly decided that they had somewhere else to be that was of greater importance. It has been a alleged that the Italians had been lead to believe that the Māori were still cannibals. In the old days we definitely were cannibals with enemies regarded as combat rations. There actually wasn't much protein available in the NZ bush with no large grazing mammals indigenous to NZ. There was also very few fruit trees in the bush, nor plants that were vegetable like. As far as I know the last great cannibal feasting occurred in 1835 on the Chatham Islands. There is documentary evidence of that with German mussionaries resident on the island at the time recording it in their diaries. Not very nice reading.
Maoris are big boys and command respect . Mostly have gentle manner as friends . No greater friend .
But us Aussies just laugh as friends at the Haka .
@@Ngatimozart1it's one of those unpleasant truths from the past that a lot of people today prefer not to discuss.
Like you say mate, prior to European contact, there was no large land mammals. After the moa were hunted to extinction, the Maori faced a difficult struggle to sustain themselves.
Have to admit, when I get a bit peckish and my next meal could be some time away, I can't help sizing up whomever I'm with 😂
Seriously though, just look at that Argentinian rugby team who were in a plane crash. Needs must...
@@Ngatimozart1 your making it out that the Maori were starving prior to Europeans.
The Germans in the battle of Crete, shot them down when they did the Haka, it was in a villages piazza, not sure how effective it was, or in Monte Cassino.
The Germans really thought them fools.
The WW2 photo of Maori doing the Haka, of the four men facing the camera, only the one closest the camera survived the war.
Yeah because cameraman best friend never dies.
bro they are literal animals who ate their own children
Aww how sad.
te kuiti reihana
kia ora eho
I think it is absolutely wonderful that the contributions of the Maori people are finally being recognized. Like the gurkhas, their contributions to the 1st and 2nd world wars should be recognized by everyone. May bien, amigo y gracias de Dios.
Their contribution has been widely recognised and taught to recruits inside the NZDF for many many years.
Thankyou. Lovely comment. But it is still shameful that Pakeha have not shared the proud history among themselves at all until recently.
Thanks for telling the Maori war story with such respect. They served us well and we thank them. Kiwi Dave.
Yeah we now have White genocide and a zionist run west because we waged war on a country which didn't want it. Thanks.
Thank you so much Brother for doing a video on my people . NZ soldiers sailors and airmen are often forgotten.
what a bullshit response to a posting that claims the Maori were defeated.. Never happened.
Thanks brother. Appreciate the feedback.
@@greenengoldwhat do you mean? The Maori were defeated numerous times in battle during WW2.
Doesn't take anything away from their achievements or reputation. Just a simple truth and the harsh reality of war.
@@BlueMoonday19he means in the NZ wars... we were never beaten that's why NZ has The Treaty of Waitangi.(A truce)
@@michaelhirst4634 ok. But the Treaty was signed after the war. Think it was was influenced more by the humanist ideologies of the time.
Freyberg was doing a troop's inspection with Montgomery,while travelling through the Kiwi's camp in a vehicle,Monty turned to Freyberg and asked, don't your troops salute you when you go by,
Freyberg smiled and said,just wave, they'll wave back
😊 Typical Kiwi response,
.... they will wave back; if they like you !!!
Or they'll give you the Bro nod 😂
My late father a kiwi soldier served in the midle east and at night the Maori regiments would do their Hakas. And Hakas could be heard by kiwi and Aussies saying thank God they are on our side!😂
Thank you for this episode. I highly respect all our Maori Battalion brothers and coming from a part Maori family myself it is my absolute pleasure to tell you one of my brothers was a SAS member for many years. A hero in my eyes and now residing in heaven. Many of our military brothers were also affected by chemicals during warfare and suffered the consequence of cancer and the like. My brother suffered 8 years of cancer after being the epitome of health and vitality. The brothers still here treat us with so much love it is truly amazing. We may not have my brother here now but we have many more brothers here who remind us of his love and strength and give that to us also. Thank you from my heart for your presentation about our heroes.
One of my favourite anecdotes about the 28th Batallion is how they loved to capture trophy weapons. They used them to fight with - not to send home. At one point in North Africa the British Army were trying to tidy the situation up, because the troops were looking more and more outlandish (from a Sandhurst point of view. ) That army included English, Scots, Welsh, Australian, New Zealand, Indian and South African separate units. The new orders stated that any non-standard weapons, kit or clothing had to be handed over to Army HQ. The story goes that there were a convoy of trucks required to remove the loot, principally weapons that the Maori batallion had collected from the Italians and Germans. One eye-witness said it included a towed German anti-tank gun!
Col dyer pakeha officer n the 28 maori battalion was at odds w his superiors over this issue -they wanted all captured weapons surrendered but he rightly argued for the maori soldiers he loved and respected that under tikanga Maori (Maori custom) Maori had rights to weapons captured in war - he ended up gtg sacked by the top brass read his book 'ma te reinga' which talks of his time with the 28 Maori battalion and the respect he had for his men
I studied in NZ in the 1970s and had some Maori friends. Incredibly funny characters and interesting outlook. I was involved in the martial arts.
I have it on very good authority that they also like to collect trophy… um…. Well… ears.
Maori were from around the way. If they were going to war, they were leaving it with something - Denzel Washington
After speaking with a few old boys from the 28th, I got the distinct impression that a lot of the so called "trophies" were just straight upgrades as most of the lads were given old kit, old gear, old guns and limited vehicles. They just figured it made more sense to use better stuff, regardless of where it came from...
Thank you for doing this video bro. During boot camp most of my instructors were Maori. You couldn't help but admire them. They were hard men, but humble at the same time. You truly feel like you are part of their family if they could see you putting in you 120%
I so wish I could go back to those days.
My grandfather and his four brothers were in Maori battalion C company, all 5 made it back. Years after he passed my grandmother told me a story. Before rushing the enemy they were told not to stop or tend to any fallen comrades, but on their retreat from enemy lines and under fire he noticed his Brother Maaki on the ground shot and wounded so he picked him up and brought him back and was court martialled for it. The case was later dismissed by a British General who realised it was his brother he had saved. I remember asking him what was the war like and he replied,All you need to know is that you will never know.
Court martialled for saving your own comrade?? That's anti-human. It's one thing fighting against a perceived enemy, but to be told not save your own is using your own people like robots. How cruel...
Very cool. I served in the US Military with many Pacific Islanders. They are a formidable people
Your comment touches my heart because I know some Pacific people very very well. They are generous, caring, strong, hardworking and absolutely staunch, but humble.
From a teacher's point of view, I appreciate you showing that you're reading source material. Too many children nowadays don't read source material
Like to hear more of the Maori then maybe the chequered history of Canada's First Nations people during WWI, WWII and Korea. Many joined up and fought with honour, but were ill treated when they returned home much to Canada's shame, their story should be told.
Thanks for the info - will add to my list of possible videos.
My uncle was close by these guys at Monte casino as a Canadian forward observer ,he said that without a doubt they were the best troops he served with .he was at almost every Canadian engagement in Europe so high praise indeed.
@@joesutherland225That is very heartwarming to read.
Kia ora (thankyou).
I remember hearing a story where the Māori battalion would send messages to the German officers saying “when we catch you we’re gonna e@t you” apparently that scared the shit out of them 😂 back in the day Māori were know to feast on the their enemies to take away their mana and strengthen the warriors spirit. There’s a book called “behind the tattooed face” it recalls the feasting of a tribe after they over run it.
This is true! 😌
Yea/ nah lol. My papa was 28 Battalion man B Company. He said during their lull times, in the evenings, quite a few of them would cross over to the young German soldiers & talk with them but before the sun came up they would be fighting against each other. So sad our Papa’s had to fight a war for those gutless warmongers who sat safe & pretty in their political surroundings.
Should be noted the Willie Apiata is/was NZ SAS. Very tough to achieve on it's own.
I’m Maori and can confirm our soldiers are world class. My father in law is an Aussie veteran and he has always said that the Maori battalion were some of the loosest units he ever came across and the Vietcong were terrified of them.
In May 1989 I was on holiday in Crete. I got friendly with three Germans. One day at the beach a freak wave caught an old man who was just standing in the sea, with water up to his knees, by surprise. It knocked him flat and as it receded drag him under and out. I managed to swim out, grab him, and get him to shore. He turned out to be another German. An old chap who was extremely grateful for my help.
That evening I was in a restaurant with my wife. It was quite empty. A chap came over and asked if he could sit with us. We obliged. He asked if we were from a certain town, we have a distinct accent, and when we confirmed it he was over the moon. Whilst this was going on the Germans I had got know arrived. They started to come over to our table but seeing the new chap diverted to the next one.
The new chap, who's name to my shame l cannot remember, started to tell us his story. He was a New Zealanders, specifically a Maori. He was the New Zealand sales rep for a company based in the town next to mine. He was retiring and the company had flown him to England to say thank you and give him gifts. One of which was unlimited air travel for a year. His first stop was Crete. He was visiting his father's grave. He had never met his father as he was killed during the defence of Crete. He really didn't like Germans. Other than his vocal hatred of Germans, which did come up quite a lot, we had a good chat. At some point in our meal the old German came in and headed straight for our table with arms open wide and a big smile. As he passed the table with my friends one of them gripped him, pushed him down into a chair, and quietly explained it might not be a good idea to introduce himself to my now acquaintance. When we had eaten the Maori chap thanked us for our company and left.
When he was clear of the restaurant the four germans came to sit with us. It turned out that the chap I had helped was a paratrooper who had landed during the invasion. He was visiting the sites where he had fought. The lad who grabbed him was aware of this and was sharp enough to understand the Maori might have been upset. It was an interesting evening getting two sides of a major event in history.
As a side note: on a different day I was skimming stones in the sea with one of the three germans. I can't remember the context but made mention of the Berlin Wall. He didn't turn his head, but he got this dark look about him. He said "That wall is coming down this year". Then he turned and walked away. It wasn't mentioned again. I wasn't so much surprised that November as amazed.
Apologies for the meandering tale. Thanks for another fantastic episode.
Thanks a lot for sharing - what a fascinating holiday you had! And well done for your life saving!
@@redcoathistory Thanks. It was one of those act first think later moments.
Talking with the paratrooper was interesting. The other Germans, all about 25 years old, had to translate. I think it was the first time they had heard a veteran speak, and not just any veteran but one of the elite. They seemed torn listening to him, and I think they didn't translate certain parts of the conversation.
The town we were in is called Matala. The cliffs around the bay are full of what are believed to be Roman graves. He told us that after the fighting was done what was left of his unit was sent there to recover, he said the New Zealanders had devastated them. They sheltered in the graves which were carved out of the cliff face. He'd been looking for a particular one when the wave caught him.
It was an action packed holiday. A couple of days later we were lying on the beach and I heard strange popping and zipping noises. I looked towards the sea and saw splashes. That was when I realised bullets were going over our heads. We laid in the sand flatter than a piece of paper for what seemed like an eternity until the noise stopped. When it was clear we could see a commotion a couple of hundred metres away. A gang had robbed a bank in Heraklion, on the other side of the island. They drove as far as they could. When they reached the sea they had decided to shoot it out with the police until they ran out of ammunition. When they did they were arrested. The robbers vehicle was like a sieve, but no one was seriously injured.
Fortunately, most of my other holidays have been uneventful. I highly recommend a trip to Crete. You are literally tripping over history.
Rommel never actually said that, his chief of staff said "if I had to take hell I'd use Australians to take it and Maori to hold it."
please share the source so I can look it up. Thanks
@@redcoathistory I've read so many books on ww2 and NZs involvement I forget which one but I'd try 28th Battalion. Its the official story of the Maori battalion.
I have heard both and lean towards this account
Actually, these quotes have been attributed to him:
"If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it".
"If I'd had one division of Māori, I would have taken the canal in a week. If I'd had three, I'd have taken Baghdad."
Both tales are apocryphal
Extraordinary physique on some of those Maori gentlemen.
Your a small guy at 6foot 220lbs by most island and Maori people and that's true culturally as well as physically
Samoans and Tongans are bigger but Maori are a lot smarter in battle
@@JaemanEdwards The biggest guys in the National Rugby League comp are all Maori
@@jonjon1842 Doesn't change what I've said. Traditionally the biggest aren't Maori in the NRL either.
@@JaemanEdwards they all are common ancestors Maori Samoan Tongan so very much the same people even today.
No matter what always respect the Maori warriors. They've more than earned it.
Respect to you Broken Bridge. With comments like those you're more likely to be mending bridges. 😊
@@JaemanEdwards---Much appreciated thank you.
During the NZ land wars in the 1800s I had ancestors who fought on both sides. 3x great grandfather on my mother’s was red coat and on my father’s side were ngati Raukawa warriors. Love both sides of my family!
That's great. Full respect. My kids are mixed and I hope they have the same attitude.
Cool fact alot of the generals and commanders of the nz wars were old war veterans that fought neopolians ranks at Waterloo back in 1815.
I'm a kiwi. I've heard stories about the Maori battalion. I heard the German soldiers were terrified of them especially as the haka and war cries would freak them out. I heard that sometimes they would kick a Rugby ball towards the enemy before all charging enemy lines. Some carried a patu which
Is like a small club. As for the Maori wars it was a shame there was so much in fighting between tribes as they could have kicked the British out if they could have worked together. Some iwi still hold grudges today.
Never heard that one about the rugby ball before..
But I love it. That's just so Kiwi.
They would never of kicked the british out even if they allied, the british would of sent bigger an better armies to take the land, you think they send their main forces to take NZ lol.
@@SWJ-xp6ld If they were united. Yes. They definitely could. I suspect you're uneducated on the NZ Wars.
@@JaemanEdwardsI don't think Napoleon wars and Maori wars are even close to the same league. The British was staying regardless even with a weaker force. They had 1,000s of years of war experience and preferred peaceful means. Hence the treaty. And Britain was the first country in the world to stop slavery. They stood for justice and peace.
@@jamesluckhurst4798 You sound confused James. What point a you trying to make ? I sense an uneducated person. Will put you straight if I know wtf you're saying Cleetus.
I was born when ww2 was just ending . I grew up full of hearing of the courage and humor of Maori Battalion . We had songs that still cir circulate in my mind .....Maori soldiers were always cheerful and full of " can do " attitude ....we have Anzac day that remembers all the fallen and even in covid times people decorated their fences with portraits of our heroes
Small error, at 16:57 you call the troops homes "marae" (pronounced mah-rye) which is actually a meeting place, generally a longhouse like structure where the wider local tribe or "Iwi" can meet, it's usually a fairly sacred spot. "Whare" (fah-reh) is the correct word for someone's house.
Fair enough. Thanks for the feedback.
A whare (fah-reh) would more accurately describe the troops homes and the marae (mah-rye) is the area in front of the meeting house/whare nui (fah-reh-new-ee) and is a very sacred place as it is the embodiment of Papatuanuku/Earth Mother who is the Mother of Tāane who created us
Marae (Mara Eh) roll the R.
Whare (Fa Reh) again.. roll the R. It is not FahRay that would probably be spelt "Wharei"
We use the sound of the letters. A=ah Not ayee
there nutters big lads i was in the army cadets many years ago with one he was a bloody big lad, but a very nice lad his size was shocking at the age of 15 and he loved rugby i live in north wales so him loving rugby was big for are rugby army cadet team :)
Love it. Rugby always brings people together.
Hello from Ruapekapeka!
Fantastic - maybe I’ll get to visit one day.
I look at this pa from my place in the waikare….
@@redcoathistory great hospitality as most Pacific Islanders .
😂😂
Im from Waiōmio
Ngā mihi ki a koe/Thank you! I’m Māori from New Zealand and related to Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu. I’m so glad to hear this being covered and recognised from outside of New Zealand, and thank you for keeping the clips in around pronunciation. Your pronunciation’s great. He rawe koe/you’re awesome.
@@Gray429 Thankyou so much for the comment. It means so much to me to hear from relatives of a such a great and brave man.
Mate! I live in Queensland now and as you know " Mate" is as Ozzie as Vegimite. I love the fact that you take great care in getting expert advice on Native pronunciation. Even in your South African themed military videos, I have never heard a Pommie pronounce "Isandhwlana"correctly, you did. Also Afrikaans names. Kudos to you
All my family here in NZ like Marmite but I'm the kiwi rebel who likes Vegemite better. It's not so strong tasting.
Great video! The Maori Battalion was a all volunteer force. Maori were exempt from conscription in ww2 as the horrors of the land wars in the mid to late 1800s were still in living memory.
Many won't want to hear that fact. Many these days try to push the narrative that Maori shouldn't have served the crown in WW2.
@@damolux3388 plentyh did push back at the time, for example tuhoe
This is a awesome take. Thank you. We truly appreciate your appreciation.
A great idea mate, this video, those are fierce blokes, I have a huge respect for those chaps, thanks for sharing.
The Maori weren't beaten. The English signed a treaty to end the wars.
And 10 out of 10 my man for the effort taken to get the pronunciation correct
Wow, fascinating! I would love to learn more about the Maori Wars. By the way, I like how genuine your videos are, with your buddy there on the line to help with pronunciation. Keep cracking on, Chris!
Thanks, Ryan. Sorry for the slow reply have been in the mountains with my family. Appreciate the feedback. Hope I can keep it up!
There is a series called the New Zealand wars very good interpretation
@@redcoathistoryYeah respect on the respect you showed bro. Good job. Subscribed. Look forward to more maori content.
"In the mountains with my family" sounds fkn epic bro.
My Grandfather (NZ anti-tank division) told me the Maori sometimes got bored at night when the fighting died down. So they would often pop over to the German lines to see what they could come back with. One time they returned with a tank and another time a German general.
As an Aussie I have heard the stories & have the utmost respect & admiration for Maori warriors & I’m bloody glad they’re on our side.
In Ramparts cemetery near Ypres there are the graves of five Maori soldiers alongside each other, all of whom died on 31 December 1917. Very thought provoking.
Thanks for your work.. My Koro served in the 28th Maori Battalion, fought in Africa and Malta, Monte Casino, He survived and inspired me to serve when came of age. My Koro cousin was the first Maori Officer to lead the Battalion; Lieutenant-Colonel Eruera (Tiwi) Love, died in the battle of El-Alamein. ONWARD
Thanks a lot for sharing your amazing family story - very much appreciated.
I listened to this with such pride in my people, and I really appreciate you sharing this information with the world and sharing so with great respect.
Thank you.
Wandered onto this video from my feed - this was much better than i had anticipated - love the effort to use quality sources and take us through them, and effort to get the names right. Subbed!
Thanks a lot...Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi there, just watching your show on Maori warriors, I'm Niuean but born n bred in N. Z, this piece you're doing is very interesting, nice job
Thanks a lot mate, that means a lot. I certainly dont claim to be an expert but its been great trying to learn.
Fantastic video mate! Cheers
Thanks mate
My great grandfathers brother fought in the maori battalion and died in Monte casino at 22 years old. Also my great grandmothers brother was a maori fighter ace in the battle of singapore. Shooting down 5 japanese planes in his brewster buffalo before being shot down in a spitfire in france
As a Brit you probably should have already been aware as the Maori gave the Brits a pretty good fight during the Maori wars.
I've served with Kiwis overseas and they are brilliant.
I have a lot of respect for my Kiwi mates across the ditch.
@@whya2ndaccount To be fair, Britain has fought many, many wars and very few are taught at school, or even university. I was aware that the New Zealand wars had happened but know very little.
Appreciate the effort you took to pronounce place names, many thanks from NZ
Yes, the Maori are fierce fighters. I'm looking forward to your further stories on them. Thank you, and Regards from Canada 🇨🇦!
You should look up the Battle of Gate Pa, it's a well known stand off that occurred during the New Zealand Wars.
Kia ora e hoa.
Thank you for the upload. A great and honest brief analysis of the 28th.
Mauri ora.
Thankyou, that feedback means a lot.
I was an Infantry Coy Comdr in 6 (Hauraki) RNZIR. My Coy consisted of probably 80% Maori soldiers and those guys, actually, my whole Coy, were absolutely fantastic! I would have lead them anywhere and they would have followed me anywhere. We had a bond which was very akin to family - I am my brother's keeper. The Maori sense of kinship permeated the Coy; I really miss those days and those guys.
Thanks for the positive report much appreciated
Good on you for giving it a go trying to respect and emulate the pronunciation of maori. Even though your efforts are pretty rough and typical Pommy mangling, it's a sign of respect and genuine journalism for you to give it a go. It's a welcome change from the Yanky tripe we see where they make every effort to murder maori words beyond recognition. Maori language sounds very good on the ear when spoken well. Mispronunciation is like hearing an opera singer out of tune...!
Another top video. Cheers Steve from Aus
My Grandfather fought Rommel 5years non stop fighting
he must have been tired and thirsty to fight him for that amount of time 😯😯
No he didn't,Rommel died in 1944, in france
@@RoyBennett-dz2cq he was ordered to kill himself by the SS
Don't think Rommel was ' terrified by anything. He probably had respect for these soldiers.
I’ll need to pull up an old map and war photos of my father in law. He fought alongside the Maori NZ battalion at Monte Cassino. He said the South African battalion fought and sang Māori songs as they marched. Loyalty for one another was amazing.
Aussie here. Thank you for telling the story of our brothers.
Great and informative video!
Looking forward to that series on the Maori wars. I'm especially interested to learn more about the Maori units and officers that served under the British during the Maori wars such as Major Kemp and Major Ropata. (And of course, Gustavus Von Tempsky as well, how can one discuss the Maori Wars without mentioning him)
Don't forget Charles Heaphy VC as well.
Too right, so little research or study on the NZ Wars until the late 20th century.
They were clearly not a major conflict as far as scale but they are massive as far as the history of New Zealand is concerned.
In those Wars they relied on their natural Warrior Spirit and fought fearless against the Germans and Turks.
I'm currently rereading Roy Farran's autobiography. He was very impressed and full of praise with the Maori troops he encountered in Crete, Malta and North Africa. As a side note the Maori never utilised a missile weapon, neither the Taiha ( a spear/quarterstaff melee weapon) nor the Mere ( a broad bladed club made of Nephrite Jade) or Patu (Similar the the Mere but made of wood, stone or whale bone) was thrown, until the arrival of the musket. The Pa is designed for CQB. Is it any wonder that the Maori were so effective with the bayonet?
i really like the fact we were looking at the research with you at times, shows you care about your content. keep it up and happy to keep learning and hearing more about my country, thank you! i must say it would have been something out of nightmare hearing maori soldiers doing a haka in the black of night targeted towards you, if youve ever seen or heard a mass haka
Thanks a lot...really appreciate the feedback. And yeah - I can only imagine the terror that the sound of the Haka at night must have inflicted on their enemy.
Sargent Manage of Maori battalion was so ruthless after taking enemy trenches they would clear them , give them back so they could take them again.
Rommel was facing a combo of Chopper meets Jake da Muss. Something 🇨🇳 has to remember when they pull the rabbit out of the hat in 2040-2050 (tread carefully)
Fuuuuuuuuu,
CarefullyCrazy &
RuthlessRage
.... Damn yeah Bro That's Hectic,
Definitely be a Milo and Moe for all the Moko at McCluthies
😂🍻
Thanks bro
This is a great tribute. I grew up and still live in Rangiriri. I had WW2 veterans as neighbors including Hakum Iwihora of the 28th . Alf de Thierry , Dan Elliott whom I‘be yet to fully research, encouraged now by this podcast . Norman Gall DCM , was a spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain. Jack Kelly of the 22nd , by now into his 90’s before his passing, was to reveal he was witness to my uncle Jack ( RJH Miller) ,of the 18th , take a grenade at the battle of Galatos for which he would not survive. I myself am half Maori descent, Ngati Naho , served in the RNZN, 1978-84.
Thanks for sharing your story. I really appreicate hearing these sorts of personal stories.
My grandfather his twin brother and another brother were in the Pioneer Battalion. Their grandfather came from Falmouth Cornwall to NZ in 1839.
Nice one mate - thanks a lot for sharing.
My great-great grandmother came from Falmouth in the 1880's to New Zealand .My children and grandchildren live in Falmouth now.
@@terryharris1291 Looks like a nice spot on the coast, I been researching the place.
@@WekaDigitalMediaNZ I lived there for 5 years in the 1990's,it is a very nice place.
Firstly we were not defeated hence the founding document being a treaty so that’s not defeat
Fair enough...it was a poor choice of words...
It's rather difficult to claim that you won though, eh?
@@redcoathistoryI noticed that too. You ask any Maori they'll tell you they were never defeated. But then the white man says "But you speak English" 😊
Most Maori have some european blood
@@redcoathistory The land Wars came after the treaty signing which was 1840 ,took place from 1845 to 1872.
@@JaemanEdwardsBut nowna lot of European have maori blood and tamariki
The reason the NZ Government did not call up Maori in WW1 was of our low numbers, so only volunteers were accepted.
and many of the European countries (and their Colonial Governments) also thought that 'natives' from colonies had no part in 'their' European war... and were trying to protect them (native/indigenous peoples from respective colonies) from European wars and problems.
I was lucky enough to have a few NZ men in my battalion. They had a heart of a lion.
Nice one mate. Yep, I’ve always found Kiwis to be top blokes.
I love that quote my welsh brethren
The Welsh are extremely tough gritty people just like Kiwis. People of the land.
Keep your language alive and strong warrior. Never forget who you are.
Cymru (my brother says it's said Cum Ree). Is he correct or bullshit ?
@@JaemanEdwards That is how it's pronounced. Well spoken words there.
@@welshwarrior5263 Oh great warrior. Thought he was pulling my leg. I was saying Sim Roo. 😄 Have a good day my man.
Yes👌 how wonderful that you have the courage to tackle the Maori wars. By the way, good introduction Chris❤👍🤟
Thanks, Jan. Hope you are well. I was cheering Denmark the other night at the Euros and raised a glass for you.
28th Māori Battalion fought in Greece,and Crete,North Africa,& Italy Monte Cassino among other places
Great video..."Prince Andrew not sweating" hahahahah thankyou cheers from NZ.
Like Apiata, I believe Kane Te Tai would be a lovely mention as his story like so many others was story of bravery.
But bravo this was well done and explained. We hope the world doesn't need to call us again, but if it does we will again answer.
Thank you for respecting our culture, it means a lot to us when you go through the effort of learning our culture and our particular vowels.
We also believe in Gods, the God of War in particular would be called upon during our haka or war dance. Its a sacred tradition that places our focus in our training. Before we fought with muskets and rifles we were training with Taiaha (wood formed into a spear with a cleave-like end) and Patu (a cleave made out of greenstone and sometimes wood) we would scare our opposition with the Haka yes, but something often missed is the Purerehua (Bullroarer) that was equally effective.
The quote from Rommel was never really confirmed as it had a lot of variation and it was told by someone who witnessed it in passing. But if he did or not didn't matter, he had to acknowledge it after the loss of El Alamein. He was a very good general regardless and to defeat him was no easy feat. It's also note worthy that he considered the Australians among the best too.
Many thanks for your comment Sir. I really appreciate the information and the feedback.
I'm proud to know my grandfather served in the maori battalion 💙 appreciate our long gone grandparents. "They'll never be forgotten" ✨️
Respect for referencing your mate a kiwi for basic corrections
Great video! I know you touched on the volunteer aspect of the Maori, but that was HUGELY significant. Amidst shitty race relations and colonization, the bros still chose to prove their integrity and will to coexist peacefully thru choosing to help their oppressors. Something, I feel, is greatly overlooked. We applaud the Maori Battalion, but no amount of praise could be enough, in my opinion. There are accounts from allied soldiers floating around, speaking of the relief when NZ/Maori troops arrived to conflict zones. They would clear areas others couldn't. ANZACs in total, were/are hard as f'n nails, with a work ethic unlike anyone else. We've always punched SIGNIFICANTLY out of our weight class. SAS was built off the backs of the craziest British soldiers, and the unwavering strength of the ANZACs. Rommel's famous quote also stated that to take hell, he'd use the Aussies, to hold it, the Kiwis. To conquer the world, the Maoris. 💪💪💪
willie apiata,they say bullets flying all around him in that 70 meter run with his mate on his back how he was not hit is amazing
Monty Soutar (you said his name right the 1st time) writes an excellent book in C Company called Nga Tamatoa.
Sir Apirana Ngata termed it as 'the price of citizenship' showing our loyalty to King and country.
Three of my uncles served, 1 D.A.S the other two wounded and was a source of pride (and sadness) for my father.
This is how you do research. Consult with and talk to the communities you are studying, nobody knows them better. Decent video
My grand father fought alongside the Maori battalion during World War One. He said the Maori hated the trench’s, if you put them in the trench’s they would sit down and die in the mud. They kept them in reserve then when they were going to attach they brought them forward, filled them up with drink and turned them loose. He reckoned you never got in front of them as they killed everything in front of them regardless of who it was.
"Devastating in bayonet combat" well yeah it's basically a taiaha innit
Great overview of the topic. The numbers of Maori serving in WW1 should probably be taken with a pinch of salt as going from family history there were a lot of men forced not to identify as one. If you want another interesting read, have a look at the WW1 Palestine theatre with the Camel Corp, Light Horse and Mounted Rifles, a real commonwealth collection with quite a few Maori in the mix. Cheers Stu
Indeed a lot of men just joined regular units and never got called out for it, same thing in the Boer War.
Thanks - that campaign would be great to research. Watch this space mate
PS - any good books I should check out for research?
Thank you for sharing the story of my ancestors
I believe when you combine the criminal cunning of the Australian and the worrier culture of the maori you couldn't find a better fighting force. ANZAC forever
Sorry that word ANZAC doesn't mean anything anymore see how the Australian government been denying benefits for a long time ,,they are more friendly with Indians and Asian
Maori pronunciation of vowels....
A = R
E= Air
I = E
O = Oar
U = Eew (as in who)
The R's are rolled (hard to exhibit in text)
Wtffff 😂 we got the same vowels as Samoans/Tongans etc
...thats the white way taught in schools lol
I was part of the first 100 men that reenacted the first wave of Maori men of the 28th Maori Battalion that went and fought during WW1 and WW2. There was a strong wairua (spiritual feeling) when we performed the traditional Haka in front of the monument.
Sad to see CPL Willie Apiata VC in the background unfazed by the Haka.
Thanks for sharing. It must have been amazing to be part of such a moment.
@@redcoathistory yeah definitely was amazing, could feel the energy and spirits of the fallen men.
Respect
The Maori battalions got on very well with the Italians....
They mightnt have understood each others language, but they sung...
The Italians loved the Waiata....
( traditional Maori Songs).
And Maori enjoyed the slow Italian songs...
Partners grandfather drove munitions truck in Italy for NZ ARMY...he spoke wee bit about his time deployed...
Thank you for doing this...
awesome....
NZ.....
My ancestors are warrior's killed their enemies and eat them fort against England,Wales,Ireland,Scotland,British and Australia in the Masket Wars . My great grandfather and my two great uncle's fort in ww2 under 28th Maori Battalion D Company . My nana told me stories about her father fighting in the war and I'll tell my kids when they get older
They were nether defeated hence why a treaty was signed
Between the English crown and Maori
Not accurate. The treaty was signed before the Maori wars. The Maori wished to be British subjects rather than under the influence of quite a bunch of other colonial powers all vying for their own goals.
Hmmm The Treaty was signed 1840 & last big battle 1872...
@@malcdellow no they wanted shared "Sovereignty" over the land not under British rule & not all tribes signed into it...(sorry maybe just the way you've worded that that I find little misleading... as shared & under subject to, are very different if you get my drift)
If you mean the Crown, you mean the New Zealand wars. These wars were Maori vs Maori with colonial support for Crown aligned tribes. The Maori were in a perpetual state of warfare which is why they are the way they are. This reached a fever pitch with the addition of modern weaponry.
The Brittish forces were spectacularly outclassed by the Maori in the few serious engagements. They are simply better at war. The Maori language has more words to describe warfare than any other.
There is a reason the Germans eventually just ran away from them.
When the Pakeha ( European) soldiers returned home from the wars the they were given land grants as returned soldiers.
The Māori returned soldiers did not receive the land grants. Terrible bigotry.
Adding detail, as what you stated is a simplification. At the end of WW2 they had a lottery for some land grants. The number was vastly fewer then the number of people who served. The lottery was held before the Maori battalion returned to New Zealand (one of the last formations to return who were not on occupation duties, as they were in the vast post war parades in London). Everyone who's unit was in those parades missed out on the ballot lottery. Was this right? No. Was rascism part of it? I believe so too. Some Maori who served in the Airforce, Navy and Army did manage to get on the lottery and even won (but these were to my knowledge) those outside the Maori battalion as noted above who could pass for non-Maori. I know this from family of that generation who served but blocked from entering the lottery those own brothers (more European looking) who were able to get in the lottery and won.
@@WarriorKiwi007 Appreciate the explanation. Everyone these days is obsessed with racism and reducing the past to oversimplified soundbites. Look how the original statement has more likes than the correction. NZ's race relations hasn't been perfect but we need to stop scraping the barrel to find extra racism. Compared to Australia and America we did pretty well.
Timothcostelloe8010's comments about land grants are untrue - they are just bullshit - they are untrue, unfair, and a smear on New Zealand.
A very small proportion of returned non-Maori World War 2soldiers qualified for land in break-ups of big semi-developed land and creation of farms - a few hundred at most. Some Maori probably qualified for these, too. It is a lie to say, or imply, that non-Maori soldiers were all given land grants. One benefit Maori soldiers did receive was exemption from return to the battlefield when about 6000 troops were returned to NZ on leave. The only other broad exemption was for NZ soldiers who had fought also in World War 2.
Whoops: I meant to write " The only other broad exemption was for NZ soldiers who had fought also in World War 1."
How about when the new Zealand soliders returned...
Prince Andrew, clearly not sweating.
Love it 🤣
@@michaeljforde Ha ha I think you are the first person to mention that…it made me laugh.
If you are going to do a video on the Māori Wars please ensure that you speak to the iwi (tribes) involved because they have a different perspective to the wars. Also ensure that you cover Parihaka because that incident clearly illustrates the mentality of the NZ colonial govt and white settlers of the time. Whilst Parihaka occurred after the wars, it was a direct consequence of the wars. The wars and their cause (illegal confiscation of Māori land) still reverberate in nz today.
@@bennichols1113 Why should we be one people? We have never ever been one people despite what Pākehā claim. We are actually two different peoples with different cultures, world views, aspirations, and beliefs. Māori per se have suffered a lot due to European colonisation and there are still distinct groups within Pākehā NZ who want and advocate the continuation of colonisation of Māori by Pākehā.
Thanks for raising awareness of the history of the Maori Battalion.