 Raised in 1940 as part of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force ( 2NZEF ) , the 28th ( Māori ) Battalion was attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division as an extra battalion that was moved between the division 's three infantry brigades . The battalion fought during the Greek , North African and Italian campaigns during which it earned a formidable reputation as a fighting force which has subsequently been acknowledged by both Allied and German commanders . It was also the most decorated New Zealand battalion during the war . Following the end of hostilities , the battalion contributed a contingent of personnel to serve in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force , before being disbanded in January 1946 . 
