Marines@Mahia 1943-2013

[Rob Beale]

In October 1943, the US 2 Marine Division carried out a series of Regimental sized practice landings at Mahia on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. They had already served on Guadalcanal for about six months alongside the 1 Marine Division, and returned to the USMC camps near Paekakariki north of Wellington NZ to rest, recuperate and reinforce.

Their final exercise in NZ was the Mahia landings, and a planned divisional landing exercise at Whakaki lagoon, just south of Mahia, was in fact a cover for the assault on Betio Island at Tarawa Atoll. This was the first opposed landing by US forces in the Pacific Campaign, and many lessons were hard learned there.

Three Kiwi blokes set out to commemorate the 70th anniversary of these practice landings.

We included 3 NZ Division in our commemoration event. They fought in the Solomons and became experts at amphibious landings. Manpower shortages in NZ lead to the disbandment of the Division to supply reinforcements to the 2 NZ Div in Italy, and to man the meat works and food industry, as NZ was supplying fresh veges and meat to US forces in the Pacific, and frozen meat and dairy products to Britain.

The NZ Military Collectors Club supplied vehicles, and collectors and re-enactors brought a variety of uniforms, weapons and equipment. Car and motorcycle clubs were invited along too, plus station engine people.
It was a low budget event with no entry fee charged. We three called in favours and sought sponsorship from local business people and contractors. The response was great and we were able to cover most costs, and got three free transporters to take museum vehicles from Gisborne to Mahia and back. A searchlight display was held on two evenings.

Ten days out I received word that three serving US Marines were coming, and they flew from Southern California to take part! They were joined by a Counselor from the US Embassy and his family. We kept the event low key and informal, except for the commemoration service which was similar to an ANZAC Day service with the blessing and unveiling of a memorial stone and plaque to all the Allied service people who gave their lives in the Pacific Campaign.

A catered meal at a local marae was a first for many, and we fed the Marines at our Motor camp unit with breakfast and a BBQ.

Press coverage was amazing with a series of articles leading up to the event, and good reporting of the day, and as they say the rest is history! The event grew like topsy and attracted a thousand odd visitors to this remote seaside community. I even got on national TV for a sound bite!

Rob
PS pics will follow once I learn to compress them!

[Rob Beale]

So they confiscated all the cameras from the locals, and returned them without the film. Sadly there are few pics of the actual landing.
These three pics are from the web, "Historic Pictures."

The first is looking Eastwards towards Mahia Peninsula
Next is looking southwards into northern Hawke Bay
Last is looking westwards towards the hill above Opoutama

There is a fourth in the series showing an International with lifting jib in the surf.

[Rob Beale]

These show the M16 halftrack and GMC, the DUKW and a sunset shot of the DUKW and Airfield tractor on the low loader behind the M818 tractor.

Pics supplied by Andrew Kay

[Rob Beale]

First pic is a Puddle Jumper, The C8AX cab and Chassis assembled in NZ with a locally built steel deck. We believe there were about 1000 of these built, some with different decks or bodies. (Greatest build number found is mid 900s).
Background is Hawke Bay with Hawkes Bay region on skyline.

Second pic is a C8AX Ambulance, 4 Stretcher. The deck and chassis are lengthened behind the rear cross member. Either 24 or 50 were built. This is the only complete survivor, with a few others less complete and unrestored. Background is the South Pacific ocean, next stop South America!

Third pic is a Carrier MG LP2A NZ. The GM assembly plant in NZ built the hulls and assembled them from locally made components and Ford mechanicals imported from Windsor, Canada.
The beach to the left is the landing beach used by 2 Mar Div in 1943

[Rob Beale]

A group of 1/4 ton 4x4 models: from Right side:-
A Series 1 Rover with civvie hard top,
Series 2A Skippy Rover peeking through behind
WW2 Jeep,
M151 'jeep'
plus a 3/4 ton Series 3 V8
(In the shed is an old Thornycroft)


Another view of the NZ assembled V8 Series 3 Rover


1 1/2 ton Dodge 6x6, still in use on the farm.

All pics from Andrew Kay

[Rob Beale]

An F30 CMP under restoration. It's driveable now with brakes.

A Dodge Fargo Fire Appliance assembled in NZ in WW2 in case of Japanese attack. There were two versions, one with a pump and one with a water tank.
The inside cab roof has untouched paint from WW2 which is the NZ shade of Khaki Green.

A C8AX Wireless truck with a wooden body. Between 24 and 50 are believed to have been produced. They were used in the Solomons campaign, but found to be very hot inside with poor ventillation.
They were fitted with the NZ designed ZC1 Radio set, which was equivalent to the No19. There was an overlap in the band so they could communicate with the infantry's No 48 sets.

pictures supplied by Pete Moore

[Rob Beale]

The US Ambassador's Representative and serving Marines seated before the Memorial stone.

The USMC Major addressing the assembled public.
We used a 48 star US flag to cover the memorial as was current in WW2. The Marines folded it ceremonially.
The flagpoles flew the flags of USA, the former dominions: NZ, Australia and Canada, and Great Britain.
A USMC flag was flown to one side.

(The Catafalque Guard were Local Cadets who were trained in SMLE drill.
The firing party were re-enactors from Auckland.)

Armour on Mahia Beach for probably the first time in 70 years!
The Half track and LP2 and LP2A carriers moving out for the practice battle.
The beach in the far distance is Opoutamu where the 1943 landing exercises were held.

pictures supplied by Peter Moore

Our American visitors suffered in our sunshine.
We have high UV due to the isolation from cities and proximity to the Antarctic ozone hole that moves north each spring.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Looks very dignified. It is times like this that reinforce why we bother with old rusted trucks, scratchy uniforms and otherwise Useless Farking Information about the past. Good job.