Eutahi Tahu Mataa Pitama

Born 12 May 1918 - Died 27 Oct 1942

Service number: WWII 7605 AWMM
Also known as: —
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: Sergeant AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM
War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

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Wars and conflicts

War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Campaign: Western Desert AWMM
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Service number: WWII 7605 AWMM
Military service: —
Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers: —

Military decorations

Medals and Awards: Military Medal (MM) AWMM
31 Dec 1942 AWMM
In the battle of Alamein Sgt. Pitama was Platoon Sergeant in one of the leading companies in the attack on Deir El Munassib on the night 3/4 September 1942. One of the section leaders was wounded and Sgt. Pitama took command of the section in order to make an attack from the right flank to clean up some machine gun posts which were holding up the main attack. In spite of intense fire Sgt. Pitama himself attacked the first of these posts with a grenade and succeeded in killing the gun crew. The section was thus enabled to capture two more machine gun posts and the attack was continued. At this stage his Platoon Commander was wounded and he took over command of the platoon. This N.C.O. showed courage and leadership of a high order and his skill was evidenced in the handling of the whole platoon, which covered successfully the withdrawal of the company at a later hour. (London Gazette 31/12/1942 (I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Pitama, Tom. (Ref. WO 373/22/281). Military Medal. 31 Dec 1942. AWMM
War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Military training: —
Branch Trade Proficiency: —
Enlistment: WW2 Farm hand/Civilian AWMM
Age on enlistment: —
Occupation before enlistment: —

Embarkations

Embarkation details: WW2 Corporal/Military AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon AWMM

Medical history

Medical notes: Killed on Active Service, Cause of Death AWMM

Last known rank

Last rank: Sergeant AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM
Last rank: —

Biographical information

Sergeant E. T. M. Pitama, MM; born Tuahiwi, 12 May 1918; farmhand; killed in action 27 Oct 1942. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.218.)

'Several of my men in 18 Platoon were hit rather early in the piece. I well remember two men being hit from Jerry's first burst of machine gun fire. In battle these boys were easy to control. For instance, when these two men were hit Dave McDonald of Blenheim started flat out with bayonet at the ready for this machine gun post. I did not notice him until he was well past. I called him immediately to rejoin the line. Automatically McDonald stopped and waited until the first line came abreast of him. Later I was standing about a yard from McDonald when a heavy machine gun burst blew his left arm off at the elbow. I shall always remember McDonald when he fell. He was so worked up that when he hit the ground he picked up his arm and in his fury threw it at the machine gun post—of course this post was silenced by grenade and bren gun fire.

Other enemy posts opening fire from the right were dealt with by 17 Platoon (Lieutenant Tutaki). No. 16 Platoon had veered away to the left and eventually joined up with A Company.

A flare disclosed a low ridge in front of 17 Platoon, which went straight at it with bayonet and grenades, closely followed by 18 Platoon. The ridge was cleared from left to right, with the result that D Company had changed direction and was moving at right angles to its original axis. Tikao-Barrett wheeled his men left and thus back on the proper axis. Another strongpost opened on them, pinning both platoons down until Sergeant Pitama took a section from 17 Platoon and dealt with it. He quietened one machine gun himself by killing the crew, while the section accounted for the other two guns. Pitama was awarded an MM for his leadership in this action. Mounting casualties and the absence of one platoon decided Captain Awatere to try to find Battalion Headquarters. This was done after some searching, whereupon he was ordered to reinforce Captain Porter, presumably on the edge of the depression but actually down in it.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. pp. 218.) AWMM

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Eutahi Tahu Mataa Pitama