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Cenotaph record

Aussie Huata

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Maori Veterans' Reunion held in Gisborne in 1973Ian Ropitini, Matauoterangi Rongoiti Tomoana, Ossie Huata and William Ropitini.

VETERANS' REUNION 1973

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Aussie AWMM
  • Surname
    Huata AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    Te Okanga AWMM
  • Service number
    68385 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi
    Iwi Māori AWMM
  • Hapū
  • Waka
  • Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    19 June 1920 AWMM Wairoa, Hawkes Bay AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM Frasertown, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mr H. Huata (father), Frasertown, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 21 July 1943 AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    68385 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Cross (MC) AWMM
      21 June 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

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
    Wairoa, Hawkes Bay AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • 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

Death

About death

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  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • 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. AWMM
      WW2 12: WW2 93 AWMM
    • Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.393, 439-40, 483. AWMM

Contributors

Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
10 October 2022Lorraine MonaGisborneResearcher

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