28th Māori Battalion Tour

This private full-day tour focuses exclusively on the 28th (Māori) Battalion and their heroic role during the Battle of Monte Cassino in early 1944. Led by historian and WWII battlefield guide Dr. Danila Bracaglia, the tour offers an emotional and immersive journey across the most significant Māori battle sites in Italy.

Pick-up is available from your hotel in the Cassino area or from the train station at 9:45 AM. The tour lasts approximately 6 hours and includes transportation in a Mercedes van equipped with multimedia resources.

Please visit also our page about the New Zealanders 2nd Corps at Cassino: New Zealanders in the Battle of Cassino

28th Māori Key Battlefields

• Monte Cassino Abbey – Destroyed during the battle and later rebuilt, this site overlooks the battlefield and symbolizes the devastation and controversy of the campaign. Dress code required.
• Cassino Railway Station – Assaulted by A and B Companies of the Māori Battalion on 17 February 1944. The site includes the memorial to the Māori soldiers who fell during the attack.
• Monte Trocchio – An observation point used for strategic planning during the Cassino campaign.
• Rapido River Crossing – Explore the difficult terrain that prevented reinforcements from reaching the Māori soldiers at the railway station.
• Commonwealth War Cemetery – A place of reflection and remembrance for the fallen, including many Māori soldiers.
• Highway 6 and Hove Dump – Sant’Elia Fiume Rapido logistics and medical support area where many Māori soldiers passed through.

The Battle for the Railway Station – 17 February 1944

On the night of 17 February 1944, A and B Companies of the 28th Māori Battalion launched a courageous assault on the heavily defended Cassino railway station. Facing intense machine-gun and artillery fire, the Māori troops reached their objectives but were forced to withdraw due to flooded terrain and delayed reinforcements. Over 150 men were killed, wounded, or captured.

Their bravery did not go unnoticed. German Field Marshal Rommel is said to have acknowledged the Māori as some of the fiercest individual fighters he had ever encountered. The 28th Battalion earned enduring respect from both allies and enemies.

Heroes Remembered

• Lance Corporal Dick Alex – Risked his life under heavy fire to aid wounded comrades on 19/20 March 1944.
• Second Lieutenant Ben Christy – Led his platoon through fierce fire, personally taking out enemy positions.
• Private Rangi Hoani – Eliminated enemy gun positions and ran messages under fire during the 17 February assault.

In a final chapter of the battalion’s living legacy, Sir Robert "Bom" Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, passed away in November 2024. His life and service stand as a lasting testament to the spirit of the Māori soldiers who gave everything at Monte Cassino.

Legacy and Meaning

For descendants of the 28th Battalion, this tour is more than a visit — it is a pilgrimage. Walking the battlefields, hearing the stories, and seeing the memorials offers a deeply moving way to connect with your family’s past and honor the memory of a generation that sacrificed for freedom.

Māori Legacy at Cassino

• "Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha!" – The battalion's motto, meaning “Forever and ever, be strong!”, remains a powerful expression of Māori identity and resilience.
• Over 3,600 Māori soldiers – Served in the battalion during WWII. More than 600 were killed or wounded.
• The only ethnically-based Allied unit – The 28th was composed entirely of Māori volunteers from across Aotearoa.
• Honoured at Cassino – Māori delegations visit Monte Cassino each year for remembrance ceremonies, performing haka and waiata (songs) to honor their ancestors.
• Preserving the stories – Documented in works such as “The Māori Battalion” by J.F. Cody and oral histories like “Ngā Tama Toa.”

Booking & Contact

Book your Monte Cassino 28th Māori Battalion Tour
Contact Dr. Danila Bracaglia
Email: danila.bracaglia@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +39 338 2458831