Monte Cassino Māori Battalion Tour – In the Footsteps of the 28th Battalion

Monte Cassino Māori Battalion Tour – In the Footsteps of the 28th Battalion

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.

Itinerary – Key Māori Battalion Sites at Monte Cassino

     
  • 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: Key logistics and medical support area during the offensive, where many Māori soldiers passed through.

    • Additional stops can be arranged on request. The tour is flexible and can be tailored to individual family interests or historical themes.

    The Bravery of the 28th Māori Battalion at Monte Cassino

    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

    Several Māori soldiers were decorated for exceptional bravery at Monte Cassino:

       
    • 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.

      Why This Tour Matters

      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.

      What’s Included

         
      • WWII historian and certified battlefield guide
        •  
      • Private transportation in a Mercedes van (A/C + multimedia)
        •  
      • Pick-up from hotel or station
        •  
      • Entrance tickets
        •  
      • Lunch, drinks, and snacks
        •  
      • Customizable itinerary

        • Book Your Monte Cassino Māori Tour

        To book or request more information, please contact:

           
        • WhatsApp: +39 338 2458831

          • BOOK NOW


          <h2>Cultural Legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion</h2>
          <p>
          The 28th (Māori) Battalion was not only a fierce fighting force during World War II — it was also a powerful symbol of Māori identity, unity, and sacrifice. Their courage on the battlefield and strength as a community left a legacy that still resonates deeply in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
          </p>
          <ul>
            <li><strong>“Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha!”</strong> – The battalion's motto, meaning “Forever and ever, be strong!”, was a rallying cry for resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It continues to hold deep cultural meaning for Māori communities today.</li>
            <li><strong>Over 3,600 Māori soldiers</strong> served in the battalion during WWII. More than 600 were killed or wounded — a sacrifice that affected almost every iwi (tribe) in New Zealand.</li>
            <li><strong>A unique Allied unit:</strong> The 28th was the only ethnically-based unit in the Allied forces. While led by Pākehā (European) officers, it was composed entirely of Māori volunteers from across the country, representing their iwi with pride.</li>
            <li><strong>Honoured at Cassino:</strong> Every year, Māori delegations travel to Monte Cassino for remembrance ceremonies. These often include haka and waiata (songs), which connect the past to the present in powerful cultural expressions of grief and pride.</li>
            <li><strong>Preserving the stories:</strong> The battalion’s legacy is captured in key historical works such as <em>“The Māori Battalion”</em> by J.F. Cody, and in oral histories like <em>“Ngā Tama Toa”</em> — a collection of interviews with surviving veterans and their whānau (families).</li>
          </ul>
          <p>
          For many Māori families, visiting Cassino is not just a historical journey — it is a personal pilgrimage. Walking where their ancestors fought, they honor a legacy of courage, mana, and deep cultural pride.
          </p>