On the evening of 7 December 1943 - following an afternoon attack on the San Felice ridge, the Maori Battalion’s first battle in Italy:-
“Within half an hour A Company called for another ‘stonk’ on a massing counter-attack but a third effort was handled differently. The Germans could be seen flitting from tree to tree, and then a voice was distinctly heard to order in near English, ‘Feex Bayawnets!’ The Maoris accepted the challenge and leapt from their pits; their ‘bayawnets’ were already ‘feexed’ and the two lines of steel grew closer. ‘Charge you bastards!’ Sergeant Fred Te Namu invited the Germans as he rushed forward. The enemy line faltered, then turned back, followed by the exultantly yelling Ngapuhis. Some enemy did not escape, but Captain Henare recalled his men for fear that they went too far. The Maoris strolled back in high good humour. They had had no casualties.” [Excerpt From: Cody, J. F. “28 (Maori) Battalion.”]