Māori Pou Rakena Born 6 September 1918 PDF Key details Service number801845 AWMM Also known as Armed force / branchArmy AWMM Last rank WarWorld War II, 1939-1945 AWMM Enquire Lay a poppy Hide sources Show empty fields Identity About Contribute › Title ForenamesPou AWMM SurnameRakena AWMM Ingoa Also known as Service number801845 AWMM GenderMale AWMM IwiIwi Māori AWMM Hapū Waka Rohe Religion Images and documents Images Contribute › Documents Contribute › Civilian life About birth Contribute › Birth6 September 1918 AWMM Date of birth Place of birth Birth notes Address before enlistmentUnknown AWMM Mangamuka, New Zealand AWMM Post war occupation Next of kin on embarkationMrs B. Rakena (wife), Mangamuka, New Zealand AWMM Relationship statusPre 14 May 1943 AWMM Married AWMM Service Wars and conflicts Contribute › WarWorld War II, 1939-1945 AWMM Campaign Armed force / branchArmy AWMM Service number801845 AWMM Military service Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers Military decorations Contribute › Medals and AwardsDistinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM During the crossing of the Senio River on the night of 9 April 1945, Cpl. Rakena's platoon sergeant was mortally wounded. Being the senior section leader he took over the platoon. The platoon came under very intense small arms fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he charged two enemy Spandau posts single-handed, killing the entire crews. The remaining Spandau posts surrendered. After having called his men the enemy began to bazooka them. Displaying outstanding courage Cpl. Rakena went forward firing his Bren gun from the hip, capturing the bazooka and killing the crew. This opposition having been eliminated the whole company advanced. During the whole advance to Massa Lombarda this N.C.O. showed courage of the highest order and was a constant source of inspiration to his company. The success of his company was due in no small measure to his initiative and superb leadership. (L.G. 18/10/1945) AWMM Training and Enlistment Contribute › Military training Branch Trade Proficiency EnlistmentWW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM Kaikohe, Northland AWMM Occupation before enlistment Age on enlistment Embarkations Contribute › Embarkation detailsWW2 Vessel was Dominion Monarch AWMM Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 9th Reinforcements AWMM Prisoner of war Contribute › Capture details Days interned Liberation date Liberation Repatriation POW liberation details POW serial number Medical history Contribute › Medical notes Last known rank Contribute › Last rank Biographical information Biographical information Contribute › Death About death Contribute › 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 Contribute › Memorial name Roll of Honour Remember Pou Rakena by laying a poppy. Harry Rakena Piripi Kena Rakena Pou Rakena Rori Rakena J. Rakete Lay a poppy for 2021 Leave a note Leave a tribute or memory of Pou Rakena Leave a note Contribute › Processing Sources Sources Contribute › External links28th 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. http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.htm Further Reference DocumentsSecond New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 11 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1943 to 30th June, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM WW2 11: WW2 107 AWMM Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided. Online Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
