Aussie Huata
Born 19 Jun 1920
- Service number
- 68385 AWMM
- Also known as
- Te Okanga AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- —
- War
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 19 Jun 1920 AWMM
- Date of birth
- —
- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM Frasertown, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Mr H. Huata (father), Frasertown, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 21 Jul 1943 AWMM Single AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 68385 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
21 Jun 1945 AWMM
"During the attack on Casa Bianca on the night of 14/15 December 1944, 2/Lt. Huata led his platoon in a determined assault on his objective, a heavily defended enemy strongpoint, which was finally captured after very severe fighting in which hand-grenades, light machine-guns and small-arms were used by both sides, the enemy suffering eleven killed. While consolidating his position, he and his platoon were counter-attacked by enemy infantry supported by four tanks which the enemy had laagered in another building close by. Appreciating that though he was without tanks or support weapons, darkness minimised the danger of enemy tanks, he ordered his platoon to hold on at all costs, during which time the enemy tanks opened fire about thirty yards away, reducing the top storey of the building to complete ruin. 2/ Lt. Huata, without regard for his personal safety, rushed forward to the side of the road and fired his bazooka at the leading tank which stopped, being disabled. He then fired at the tracks of the remaining three tanks which were then close behind the leading one, commencing with the rear-most one. Meantime the platoon engaged the enemy infantry who, realising that their tanks had been immobilised fled, leaving thirteen dead behind. During the whole of this action, 2/Lt. Huata showed courage of the highest order and the success of his platoon was due to his outstanding skill, initiative and inspiring leadership. (London Gazette 21/6/1945(I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Huata, Aussie. (Ref. WO 373/12/656). Military Cross." AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- —
- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Vessel was Nieuw Amsterdam AWMM Sergeant AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
- Jayforce Temporary Captain 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
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
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Last known rank
- Last rank
- —
- Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Named Te Okanga (Aussie) Huata, in the essay on his brother, Wiremu Te Tau Huata by DNZB
Maj A. Huata, MC; Frasertown, Hawke's Bay; born Wairoa, 19 Jun 1920; labourer; wounded 23 Mar 1944. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.439.) AWMM
About death
- Death
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- Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
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- Death notes
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- Cemetery
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- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz
Sources Used - 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
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 immediate awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 21 June 1945, p.3237.). Military Cross.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37138/supplements/3237
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Huata, Aussie. (Ref. WO 373/12/656). Military Cross.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7354732
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
- Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
- 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 93 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.393, 439-40, 483. - 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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