Ralph Cullen

I whānau mai i te 5 Jan 1920

Nama Hōia: 801916 AWMM
Ingoa kārangaranga: Rau or Ralph
Public - Martin Brett - Other relative - 13 July 2022 - Family cemetery - Te Puke Totara
Te Ope o Tū / te peka: Army AWMM
Te tūnga whakamutunga: —
Pakanga: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

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Pakanga: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Kauhanga riri: —
Te Ope o Tū / te peka: Army AWMM
Nama Hōia: 801916 AWMM
Urunga ki te ope taua: 2nd Maori Battalion AWMM
Whakapikinga / Tukunga / Whakawhitinga: —

Ngā tohu taumata rau ope taua

Mētara me ngā Tohu: Military Medal (MM) AWMM
21 Jun 1945 AWMM
During the attack on Casa La Morte on the night of 14/15 December 1944, L/Sgt. Cullen was in command of a platoon and had to lead his platoon through heavily-mined ground to his objective which was a strongly-held enemy strongpoint. Before the objective was reached, he found the country difficult to negotiate owing to canals behind minefields. Without hesitation he led twelve men from the flank and began a determined assault which brought down enemy defensive fire among the platoon. The enemy opened fire, pinning him and his men. Realising that the enemy fire was too severe, he changed his tactics by attacking frontally, thus evading casualties. He led his men with dash and determination, resulting in the capture of the objective and the killing of many of the enemy. After capture, the objective was found to be a key point to the defences, and to contain many pandaus. By his outstanding initiative and dash, L/Sgt. Cullen Inspired his men to gain the objective without serious casualties. Throughout this action and subsequent actions, he has shown leadership of the highest order. (London Gazette 21/6/1945 (i)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Cullen, Ralph. (Ref. WO 373/12/664). Military Medal. 21 Jun 1945 AWMM
War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Te Whakangungu me te Urunga atu

Whakangungu ope taua: —
Branch Trade Proficiency: —
Te urunga: WW2 Unknown AWMM Carpenter/Civilian AWMM
Pakeke i te whakaurunga: —
Mahi i mua i te ekenga waka: —

Te maha o ngā ekenga waka

Taipitopito ekenga waka: WW2 Lance Corporal/Military AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, A Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM

Kōrero taurongo

Sergeant R. Cullen, MM, was born in New Zealand on 5 January 1920. A carpenter from Paeroa, he served with 8 Platoon, 28th Māori Battalion, and was wounded four times during World War II.

During the fighting near Faenza, Italy, the battalion took up positions around a road junction just over a mile from the outskirts of the town. Two roads and a railway line from Faenza met there, while a third road led north-west towards Celle village. The junction was given the name ‘Ruatoria’ by the Māori soldiers.

C, A and B Companies occupied positions across the roads and railway leading into Faenza, with D Company held in reserve. German-occupied houses were only 150 yards away. The nearest, Casa Celetta, was surrounded by tall olive trees and poplars, leaving only its roof visible.

The battalion's move into these positions had been conducted in extreme silence, with the men initially crawling through muddy ground to avoid detection. Some began walking but were forced to resume crawling when German tracer fire passed approximately waist-high.

That evening, Sergeant Cullen led a fighting patrol of 11 other ranks from 8 Platoon to investigate Casa Celetta. The patrol discovered that the house was strongly defended, with three well-concealed German tanks positioned behind the building.

The patrol was detected and a fierce engagement followed in the darkness. Cullen withdrew with four wounded men. Medium and heavy mortar fire was then directed onto the position, and the German tanks were heard withdrawing towards Faenza.

Cullen returned to Casa Celetta with his patrol and killed six German soldiers who remained in the house. The men were preparing to occupy the building when they heard the tanks returning. German shells began striking the house, forcing the patrol to withdraw for a second time, with another four men wounded.

Sources:

J. F. Cody, 28 (Maori) Battalion (1956), p. 436.

R. Kay, Italy Volume II: From Cassino to Trieste (1967), p. 305. AWMM

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Ralph Cullen

Ralph Cullen

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