John Sonny Baker

Born 16 Jul 1918 - Died 23 May 1986

Service number: WWII 64195 AWMM
Also known as: Jacky AWMM
Jack
Public - Petena (Tena) - Child - 23 January 2015 - Whanau/Family records
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: Major/Military AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM
War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Jayforce, 1945-1948 AWMM
Jayforce, 1945- 1948
Public - Petena (Tena) - Child - 23 January 2015 - Military Personnel File

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Portrait of Second Lieutenant John Sonny Baker, Auckland Weekly News, 26 April 1944. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19440426-22-43.

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Wars and conflicts

War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Jayforce, 1945-1948 AWMM
Jayforce, 1945- 1948
Public - Petena (Tena) - Child - 23 January 2015 - Military Personnel File
Campaign: —
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Service number: WWII 64195 AWMM
Military service: 2nd Maori Battalion AWMM
Regular Force, 1949-1955
Public - Petena (Tena) - Child - 23 January 2015 - Military Personnel File
Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers: —

Military decorations

Medals and Awards: Military Cross and bar (MC*) AWMM
21 Jun 1945 AWMM
Bar to the M.C. Lieutenant - London Gazette 21/6/1945 2/Lt. Baker took over command of a rifle company on 26 July 1944 when his Company Commander was seconded to Advance Base. On the night of 30/31 July 1944 he commanded a forward company in an attack during the advance to Florence. The task of the company was to capture the battalion's right objective: a high feature known as Point 250, a depth of approximately 1000 yards into rough wooded country. His company met with very strong enemy resistance, heavy mortaring and Spandau fire supported by two Tiger tanks. Realising that further attempts to dislodge the enemy from the objective where the Tiger tanks were firing from would cause heavy casualties,he consolidated until daylight. At first light, acting on his own initiative he obtained the support of one troop of tanks from the unit on his right flank, and began to attack another Point 250 about 800 yards beyond, which was to have been the battalion's second objective. By by-passing the first Point 250, his company again met very strong resistance during which one of his supporting tanks was knocked out. With dash, he led his company in a bayonet charge, completely overthrowing the enemy and capturing the objective. The Tiger tanks pulled away, and the enemy commenced withdrawing on his left flank. Appreciating the advantage, he re-grouped immediately and started an attack on Balbani, the battalion's objective for pending attack for two days later. By skilful use of tank fire support, Bren carriers in conjunction with infantry, he led his men in a determine attack wherein the objective was gained after many of the enemy were killed and several taken prisoner. By superior tactics and inspiring leadership, he performed this outstanding feat with minimum casualties to his men thus giving the battalion much tactical advantage. On the morning of 2 August 1944 his company was given the task of attacking another objective at Giogoli, approximately 2000 yards beyond. With tanks, carriers, and 3 in. mortars under his command, this officer pressed home the attack and captured the objective, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Heavy shelling, mortaring and machine-gun fire were encountered throughout the attack, the enemy using Panther tanks in conjunction with his infantry to beat off the attack. It was only through the skilful use of the support arms under his command and the use of artillery that this officer was able to break through the enemy defences and lead his company on to it's objective. During this determined attack one Panther was knocked out. On the following morning he was given a further task of establishing a bridgehead across the River Greve with his company. This he did, realising the enemy's disorganisation and weakness at this particular point, he decided on his own initiative to continue the advance and in a very short time his company had covered two to three miles in pursuit of the enemy when he was finally held up. In all operations before or after this action this officer has shown moral courage of the highest order, and his outstanding initiative and skill has been a source of inspiration to those under him. The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Baker, John Sonny. (Ref. WO 373/12/540). Military Cross. (Ref. WO 373/12/540). Bar to Military Cross. During the attack on Pascuccio Ridge on 7 December 1943, 2/Lt. Bake commanded his platoon with outstanding dash and vigour. He organised fought his way across the Ortona-Orsogna road and was reorganising on his objective when enemy tanks counter-attacked. 2/Lt. Baker immediately sent word to the neighbouring company, and personally directed the fire of his PIAT mortar on to the leading tank, so disconcerting It that time was gained for his own platoon and the neighbouring company to withdraw to a reverse slope. His PIAT continued firing, in spite of the concentrated return fire of several enemy tanks, until all ammunition was expended, the last round being fired at 15 yards range. 2/Lt. Baker's devotion to duty undoubtedly made good the withdrawal of his own and his neighbouring company. (London Gazette 6/4/1944 (i)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Baker, John Sonny. (Ref. WO 373/12/540). Military Cross. (Ref. WO 373/12/540). Bar to Military Cross. AWMM
War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Military training: —
Branch Trade Proficiency: —
Enlistment: WW2 Clerk AWMM
Age on enlistment: —
Occupation before enlistment: —

Embarkations

Embarkation details: WW2 Vessel was Nieuw Amsterdam AWMM Lieutenant/Military AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, Headquarters AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Jayforce Major/Military Nominal rolls J-Force (R22440245) 2nd Divisional Cavalry Regiment, D Squadron Nominal rolls J-Force (R22440245) British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) Japan, Main Body AWMM
2nd Embarkation AWMM

Last known rank

Last rank: Major/Military AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM
Last rank: —

Biographical information

'The axis road was very badly cratered and all vehicles were re-routed through 23 Battalion's area and the attackers told to wait until they arrived. Meanwhile the engineers with the bulldozer were working on the Maoris' road. The engineers were under fire and were having an awkward time.
One 17-pounder was through before daylight and B Company, ordered to fill a gap between the forward troops, was in close support. Patrol reports indicated that the enemy was pulling back again and the advance was resumed. The objective, a ridge top (Point 250), was but 100 yards away when a tank duel ended with the loss of one Sherman and C Company was again withdrawn to the protection of some houses. A Company reported that it was sheltering in a wadi a quarter of a mile further back.
An artillery stonk induced the Tigers to depart but not to any distance. Captain Baker, quite fed up with the prospect of further delay, decided on a bold and hazardous move. No. 13 Platoon had lost its commander (Sergeant Matchitt) and five others who had been wounded by a shell or a mine while crawling through a line of grape-vines and was drawn into reserve with 15 Platoon (Lieutenant Mahuika). No. 14 Platoon (Lieutenant Paniora), with the help of two tanks still with the company, was directed to work around the enemy and cut the road behind them.
The Tigers recognised the danger and departed, this time for good. No. 14 Platoon, accompanied by the tanks and supported by machine-gunners, ended the movement by a 500-yard attack with the bayonet towards the road. Germans behind rows of vines were trapped and killed, some twenty of them, and the road was reached without a casualty.
No. 14 Platoon was in high good humour for the exhilaration of the charge with the tanks and the business at its conclusion was recompense for the days of marching over the Tuscan hills and through the Tuscan timber. Lieutenant Paniora was wounded before Captain Baker arrived and although the objective was passed the Ngatiporou leader had the bit in his teeth. A huge villa set on a small knoll took his attention. He sent 13 and 15 Platoons at it and acquired an enemy RAP complete with staff, lacking only a doctor. C Company was now a mile ahead of where it should have been and prudence suggested consolidation. No. 14 Platoon was ordered forward to another casa near by and after a sharp fight took possession. The company casualties for the day were twelve for about 30 Germans killed, 6 wounded, and 6 prisoners. For this action Captain Baker was awarded a bar to his MC.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. pp. 398-399.) AWMM

Sources

External links: Auckland Council. South burial and cremation records search
http://www.manukau.govt.nz/EN/CouncilServices/ManukauMemorialGardens/Pages/GenealogySearch.aspx
Sources Used
28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945. Personal page
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/soldier/john-sonny-baker
Further Reference
Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.html
Further Reference
'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 21 June 1945, p.3226.). Bar to Military Cross.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37138/supplements/3226
Further Reference
'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 4 April 1944, p.1588.). Military Cross.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36456/supplements/1588
Further Reference
The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Baker, John Sonny. (Ref. WO 373/12/540). Bar to Military Cross.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7354617
Further Reference
Paterson, Lachy. (24 October 2020). The forgotten Maori Battalion. maorihomefront.nz
https://www.maorihomefront.nz/en/whanau-stories/the-forgotten-maori-battalion/
Further Reference
Nominal rolls - Embarkation rolls J-force personnel from Italy Middle East to Japan. Archives New Zealand (R22440245)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R22440245
Sources Used
J Force Wikipedia Page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Force
Further Reference
Romano, G. (2021, March 4). Jayforce: 75 years on. Auckland War Memorial Museum – Tāmaki Paenga Hira.
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/jayforce
Further Reference
References: Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 12: WW2 10
Borman, C. (1954). Divisional Signals. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.72.
Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.319, 330, 333, 373, 396, 398-9, 402, 407, 414, 434, 483.
Kay, R. (1967). Italy. Volume 2. From Cassino to Trieste. Dept. of Internal Affairs, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, N.Z.
pp.163, 187.
Ko te Reo Huringa Tau o te Ope Maori Tuarua, i noho ki Remuera, Ohaeawai, 1942-43: The Anniversary Magazine of the Second Maori Battalion, Remuera, Ohaeawai 1942-1943. Patrick Smyth Papers, MS-2002-147, Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Nominal Roll of Members of the 2nd Maori Battalion, 26th January 1943. Part of the 2nd Maori Battalion Anniversary Magazine. (MS-2002-147). Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Nominal rolls - Embarkation rolls J-force personnel from Italy Middle East to Japan. Archives New Zealand (R22440245)
p.74
Brocklebank, L.W. (1997). Jayforce : New Zealand and the military occupation of Japan, 1945-48. Auckland, N.Z.: Oxford University Press.
Parr, A. (2012). The occupiers : New Zealand veterans remember post-war Japan. Auckland, N.Z. : Penguin.

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John Sonny Baker

John Sonny Baker

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