WEBVTT FILE 1 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:06.400 At the Battle of the Somme in World War I, 2 00:00:06.520 --> 00:00:13.160 a NZ colonel led a formidable attack on the German trenches that has become legendary. 3 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:19.000 With death in the air, he advanced on the enemy, despite being hit by machine-gun fire. 4 00:00:19.040 --> 00:00:26.640 Shot again and again, his body shattered. He refused any help until the Germans finally surrendered. 5 00:00:26.680 --> 00:00:30.200 For having inspired his men with his own contempt for danger, 6 00:00:30.240 --> 00:00:37.520 this soldier was awarded the greatest military honour of them all - the Victoria Cross. 7 00:00:46.400 --> 00:00:48.400 BELL TOLLS 8 00:00:50.440 --> 00:00:56.440 The NZer was Lord Bernard Freyberg, and his remains are buried in the heart of the English countryside, 9 00:00:56.480 --> 00:01:03.640 where today, family and friends are meeting at a special commemorative service for him. 10 00:01:03.680 --> 00:01:10.520 Among the dignitaries, descendants and attendants is a visiting member of NZ's elite NZSAS - 11 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:12.640 Corporal Willie Apiata. 12 00:01:12.720 --> 00:01:15.680 < You know Corporal Apiata? Valerian Freyberg. How do you do? 13 00:01:15.720 --> 00:01:22.440 Like the man he has travelled so far to honour, Corporal Willie Apiata is a holder of the Victoria Cross. 14 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:28.360 I never thought I would ever see another NZer awarded one of that, so... 15 00:01:28.960 --> 00:01:32.640 In just a handful of weeks, the award has propelled a soldier 16 00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:36.400 used to a life of anonymity into full public view, 17 00:01:36.440 --> 00:01:41.640 making him the star of the NZ military and a hero to his country. 18 00:01:42.720 --> 00:01:49.800 The Victoria Cross - the result of a selfless act of bravery in the war in Afghanistan. 19 00:01:50.960 --> 00:01:53.560 It was a moment long forgotten, 20 00:01:56.840 --> 00:01:59.240 until just three months ago. 21 00:02:10.920 --> 00:02:12.920 Captions by Able. 22 00:02:12.920 --> 00:02:14.920 www.able.co.nz 23 00:02:14.920 --> 00:02:16.920 Copyright Able 2016 24 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:26.000 At the headquarters of NZ Special Air Service, 25 00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:31.320 the commanding officer is about to release the biggest story in the unit's history - 26 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:34.000 one he has kept secret for almost a year. 27 00:02:34.040 --> 00:02:38.240 When I took over from my predecessor, he informed me of a number of issues, 28 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:43.160 and his parting shot was, 'Oh, and by the way, you might wanna keep your eye on this.' 29 00:02:43.200 --> 00:02:46.280 In 2006, the colonel was handed a dossier 30 00:02:46.320 --> 00:02:52.520 recommending one of his corporals receive the highest award for gallantry, and, one month ago, 31 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:58.840 the recommendation was approved by the head of the Commonwealth, the Queen. 32 00:02:58.880 --> 00:03:00.240 Do you wanna get Willie? 33 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:03.360 The mana of this honour makes the story too big to hide, 34 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:08.520 so Corporal Willie Apiata must be revealed to the NZ public tomorrow. 35 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:10.560 Hey, Willie. Let's go. 36 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:19.800 A five-year veteran of this unit, Willie Apiata is oblivious to what awaits. 37 00:03:20.320 --> 00:03:28.240 It's usually bad news for a corporal to be dragged into CO's office on any day, let alone a Sunday morning. 38 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:30.280 Morning, Willie. Boss. 39 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:32.360 Have a sit down. 40 00:03:33.640 --> 00:03:37.360 Probably received the shock of his life in the next five minutes. 41 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:41.680 Laid out in front of Willie Apiata were three letters. 42 00:03:41.720 --> 00:03:45.920 Just sorta wondering, you know, 'What the hell's going on here?' 43 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:50.960 Opened the first letter and started reading through and... 44 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:57.720 yeah, it was... I was quite speechless, actually. 45 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.000 Yeah. And emotional. 46 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:08.360 The Queen's representative - the Governor-General - the NZ Prime Minister and Minister of Defence 47 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:12.960 confirmed that Willie Apiata will receive the rarest of military honours, 48 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:18.360 making him one of just 12 holders of the Victoria Cross alive in the world. 49 00:04:18.400 --> 00:04:26.200 Didn't really get a chance for it to sink in. I was on the way down to Wellington that afternoon. 50 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:37.040 As a Special Forces soldier, the disclosure of Corporal Willie Apiata's actions is unprecedented. 51 00:04:37.080 --> 00:04:42.360 He's also the first person to receive the Victoria Cross for NZ. 52 00:04:47.880 --> 00:04:49.880 FLIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT 53 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:57.800 Willie is flying by his commanding officer, his regimental sergeant major and a mentor from the unit. 54 00:04:57.840 --> 00:05:03.920 In Wellington, their job is to keep Willie up close, but out of sight... until tomorrow's announcement. 55 00:05:03.960 --> 00:05:07.800 It's hard enough for me, knowing, but I wasn't receiving the medal. 56 00:05:07.840 --> 00:05:16.320 For Willie, it would be impossible to sit on this secret, knowing that his whole life was gonna change. 57 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:24.880 The first step in this life-changing event takes the group to an almost deserted NZ defence headquarters, 58 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:30.680 where the team responsible for overseeing tomorrow's public announcement has a long night ahead. 59 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:33.400 Hi, Clive. Gidday, how are you? > 60 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:35.960 Clive Robinson. Willie Apiata. Hi, Willie. 61 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:41.600 Clive will measure you for your uniforms and then we'll get photos. 62 00:05:39.760 --> 00:05:41.760 OK. Cool. < All right. 63 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:46.320 Straight away, Willie is sent for a uniform fitting in an adjacent building. 64 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:50.040 One day, you'll have a statue like this here. 65 00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:58.600 The statue of Brigadier Bernard Freyberg, VC, is a reminder to Willie of his new-found status. 66 00:05:58.640 --> 00:06:02.920 Look ahead, like you would. > CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS 67 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:03.520 Great. > 68 00:06:07.280 --> 00:06:10.160 Your feet touched the ground yet? > 69 00:06:16.320 --> 00:06:17.880 Drop your arms by your side. 70 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:23.040 Willie gets a new uniform befitting the occasion of such an announcement. 71 00:06:23.080 --> 00:06:29.240 You know, Willie's more comfortable in a pair of gumboots and a pair of old trackies or his hunting gear. 72 00:06:29.280 --> 00:06:36.360 The reality of it is that, you know, that's not appropriate attire for a public event. 73 00:06:36.640 --> 00:06:38.640 It's all organised. 74 00:06:38.880 --> 00:06:45.200 In the evening, Willie receives an unexpected visit from the country's most senior military commander, 75 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:48.080 Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae. 76 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:51.880 From 10.30am tomorrow, you'll be wearing those. 77 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:53.920 CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS 78 00:06:57.880 --> 00:07:00.960 Good luck. WHISPERS: Thank you, sir. 79 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:05.800 See you tomorrow. 80 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:16.600 Understandably nervous, Willie is the first NZ recipient of the Victoria Cross in 64 years. 81 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:18.760 You've just gotta relax. 82 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.800 You'll get plenty of this. 83 00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:25.920 It's a fairly daunting prospect to know that you've gone from relative anonymity 84 00:07:25.960 --> 00:07:29.440 to becoming a public figure for the rest of your life. 85 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:32.280 Three, two, one. Three, two, one. 86 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:33.720 CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! 87 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:37.040 OK, you can relax. 88 00:07:42.640 --> 00:07:46.880 Willie gets a crash course in how to be an overnight hero. 89 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:52.920 Willie's a very humble person by nature and not prone to saying too much. 90 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:56.880 But that doesn't cut the mustard with an announcement like this. 91 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:01.240 Then people wanna know a little bit about you and they wanna hear your story. 92 00:08:01.280 --> 00:08:03.280 You're a hero. 93 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:09.960 Absolutely. Now, you might need to hear that a few more times before it starts sitting comfortably, 94 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.480 and you're gonna hear it a lot. 95 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:19.960 As of tomorrow, when the first radio bulletins go out, you are a NZ celebrity. > 96 00:08:20.440 --> 00:08:27.120 People worldwide will be reading the Prime Minister's announcement and seeing your photo by 11am tomorrow. 97 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:30.360 That's how big, how fast it's all gonna happen. > 98 00:08:30.400 --> 00:08:34.440 It's gonna take a little while to rattle round in between your ears, > 99 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:39.280 but I'm telling you now, bro, it's the absolute reality. > 100 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:45.520 It's like how you jump into the deep end of a pool and you can't really swim, eh. 101 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:49.960 And you're treading so much water trying to get back to the surface. 102 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:52.520 At midnight, the call is made to stop. 103 00:08:52.560 --> 00:08:55.400 We might tell them we're there. 8am tomorrow? 104 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:59.880 For Willie, a sleepless night lies ahead, as he knows that tomorrow, 105 00:08:59.920 --> 00:09:05.520 NZ will be delivered the groundbreaking news - they have a new hero. 106 00:09:09.280 --> 00:09:11.560 RADIO BULLETIN MUSIC PLAYS 107 00:09:12.920 --> 00:09:17.800 Good morning. Welcome to Morning Report on Radio NZ National. It's the 2nd of July... 108 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:20.560 There hasn't been much sleep for Corporal Willie Apiata 109 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:27.320 since the bombshell delivered by his commanding officer yesterday that he is to be awarded the Victoria Cross. 110 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:33.960 Today, it's NZ's turn to find out, along with his family and his unit, the NZSAS. 111 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:38.960 I'm still trying to get to grips with what I've been awarded 112 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:43.280 and the roller-coaster ride that had just started. 113 00:09:47.520 --> 00:09:55.400 It's just before 8am and the NZSAS soldiers head to Defence House in preparation for the announcement. 114 00:09:55.440 --> 00:10:01.040 For Willie, it's the last time he will walk in public unrecognised. 115 00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:06.000 It's cast a spotlight upon us that we didn't necessarily want. 116 00:10:06.040 --> 00:10:14.040 It's certainly cast a spotlight on Willie. I'm sure he would've preferred to remain anonymous. 117 00:10:14.920 --> 00:10:21.120 The media briefing continues. Because so many aspects of his mission are deemed classified 118 00:10:21.160 --> 00:10:26.280 or highly sensitive, there are many no-go areas for what Willie can say. 119 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:28.320 < Did you shoot anyone? 120 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:34.080 It just set boundaries for Willie, what he could say within the bounds of operational security, 121 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:37.680 what he was comfortable with, so that he had something to say. 122 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:44.320 It will be obvious that someone was trying to shoot you and your mates, and they'll want you to say it. 123 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:48.480 I'm thinking as a CO now. There are realities. We are in Afghanistan. 124 00:10:48.520 --> 00:10:52.920 You know, a number of NZers might like the fact that Willie's received a VC, 125 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:57.360 and there may be some who aren't as... Enthusiastic. 126 00:10:55.520 --> 00:10:59.240 ...aren't as enthusiastic, and I'm very concerned about that. 127 00:10:59.280 --> 00:11:03.480 Today's the big alligator. One big alligator's gonna come. 128 00:11:03.520 --> 00:11:09.240 I think one of the questions will be, 'What are you feeling?' 'What does your family think?' > 129 00:11:09.280 --> 00:11:15.400 Things like that. They just wanna know you first, and, I think later on, there'll be other alligators, 130 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:20.040 but with this big one, eh, it's, 'Who is Willie Apiata?' 131 00:11:23.640 --> 00:11:27.240 In the offices of the Minister of Defence, aide Jeremy Seed 132 00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:30.720 is putting the last touches to the press packs. 133 00:11:30.760 --> 00:11:38.160 The media have been called to a special press conference by the Prime Minister, starting in an hour. 134 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:44.760 Meet me at 10.30, OK? That's out there. Nah, I'm not telling you any more. OK. Cheers, mate. See ya. 135 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:47.880 They're all running around like headless chickens- > Oh, yeah. 'What's happening?' 136 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:54.320 Meanwhile, Willie succumbs to nerves for the first time and steps out for a break. 137 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:57.240 Countdown's getting closer, Sam. 138 00:11:58.800 --> 00:12:01.680 We're doing something the unit just doesn't do. 139 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:07.160 There's that public's... need and right to know. It's already been set out pretty clearly. 140 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:11.480 You know, we're not some organisation that is particularly comfortable - 141 00:12:11.520 --> 00:12:15.920 feels this is necessary. We know it's a requirement as a result of the award, 142 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:19.440 but as far as I'm concerned, it's business as usual. 143 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:24.640 The moment you say SAS, it tends to draw publicity. I've never got my head around that. 144 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:31.160 We just go about our business, but SAS, by the nature of its business, is a secretive organisation, 145 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:35.560 capable of very discreet operations. And that draws public attention. 146 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:40.600 People like to know things that they're not allowed to know. 147 00:12:43.280 --> 00:12:45.280 September 11, 2001. 148 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:52.480 A series of devastating attacks on US soil, 149 00:12:52.520 --> 00:12:57.720 carried out by the terrorist organisation Al Qaeda, shocked the world. 150 00:12:57.760 --> 00:13:01.480 Their network of training camps was traced back to Afghanistan, 151 00:13:01.520 --> 00:13:09.400 where, under the fundamentalist Muslim army, the Taliban, they operated with near impunity. 152 00:13:11.400 --> 00:13:16.160 Within days of 9/11, US forces were in Afghanistan and on the offensive. 153 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:18.200 Fire. BOMB EXPLODES 154 00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:26.160 Their aim - to overthrow the Taliban, capture Al Qaeda operatives and their leader, Osama bin Laden, 155 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:29.200 now the most wanted man in the world. 156 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:32.120 MACHINE GUNS FIRE 157 00:13:33.280 --> 00:13:34.360 GUN FIRES 158 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:40.560 Much of Afghanistan quickly fell under American control, but failure to block all escape routes 159 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:45.480 meant bin Laden and hundreds of his most hardened fighters had slipped the net. 160 00:13:45.520 --> 00:13:50.920 They were now hiding in Afghanistan's remote mountain regions. 161 00:13:53.800 --> 00:14:00.800 An international coalition, led by US forces, set out to track the terrorists down. 162 00:14:03.280 --> 00:14:10.600 Among those in relentless pursuit was a small band of highly skilled men from NZ's SAS unit - 163 00:14:10.640 --> 00:14:15.120 a member of the world's most renowned special forces. 164 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:22.080 Just hours ahead of his own press conference, Willie undergoes a dress rehearsal. 165 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:27.880 The camera's here on tripods. Everyone will sit there with their notebooks. 166 00:14:27.920 --> 00:14:33.080 OK, Corporal. Can you tell us a little bit about what actually happened? 167 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:38.400 We've got it here on paper - the description of the events that led you getting this honour. 168 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:44.560 Nerves are shared by all as the Minister and Chief of Defence make final checks on the press release. 169 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:49.200 He took it remarkably well. > He seemed quite composed. 170 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:48.480 Very composed. > 171 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:50.520 And relaxed about it. 172 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:53.720 Although apparently he's had three cigarettes this morning. 173 00:14:53.760 --> 00:14:55.760 < (LAUGHS) 174 00:14:55.920 --> 00:14:58.520 How many people have you shot? > 175 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:06.080 That is the worst question to ask a soldier. If you wanna insult him, that's the best way to do it. 176 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:09.960 The carefully worded statement gets some last-minute revisions. 177 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:12.480 CELL PHONE RINGS Hello, Jeremy speaking. > 178 00:15:12.520 --> 00:15:14.520 Adam. Adam! Yeah? > 179 00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:22.680 Drop your cup of tea. This is the final statement. We're to get it in as many packs as we can. 180 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:29.400 The men from Willie's squadron gather at the unit and are the first to hear the news. 181 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:34.880 I'm disappointed to not be here in person, and the reason for that will become clear very soon. 182 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:38.680 Today, I'm speaking to you about something that, in my opinion, 183 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:44.920 is the biggest event in the history of the 1st NZ Special Air Service Group. 184 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:46.960 Hi, Jim speaking. 185 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:50.480 It's 10.30. All the boys will know. Yep. 186 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:57.800 Big burden off your shoulders now. > Oh, I know. Jeez. Crikey. 187 00:15:55.920 --> 00:15:58.720 How long did you know about that? > 188 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:01.880 How long have I known about that? Yeah. 10 months - since I took command. 189 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:08.360 The wonderful thing was that I saw it in the CDF's office, and it was passed to the CDF and then to me. 190 00:16:08.400 --> 00:16:11.960 Signed by the Queen, and I had a little moment myself. 191 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:16.760 So I had a small appreciation of what it would be like for him to open that letter. 192 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:21.320 He's earnt it. It's his. Doesn't matter if he wants it or not. He earnt it. 193 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.880 Along with Corporal Willie Apiata's VC, 194 00:16:23.920 --> 00:16:29.400 the Prime Minister announces three other medals to be awarded for acts of gallantry. 195 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:34.160 Morning, everyone. We're here this morning to note that the Governor-General 196 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:40.800 < has formally announced that the Queen has approved four NZ Gallantry Awards. 197 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:47.920 As the Prime Minister delivers the news to the nation, Willie is finally allowed to call home. 198 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:53.400 Corporal Apiata becomes the first winner of the Victoria Cross for NZ 199 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:58.440 under the Royal Warrant for the NZ Gallantry Awards of 1999. 200 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:08.120 RADIO: ...the Victoria Cross is going to Corporal Bill Henry Apiata. 201 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:11.920 The Prime Minister says Corporal Apiata showed stunning courage 202 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:15.520 by carrying an injured soldier to safety while under fire. 203 00:17:15.560 --> 00:17:19.960 In no time at all, the story spreads across the media. 204 00:17:20.520 --> 00:17:22.920 ONE NEWS INTRODUCTION PLAYS 205 00:17:23.560 --> 00:17:27.120 TV: A member of the SAS has been awarded the Victoria Cross, 206 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:32.760 making him the first NZer to receive the award since the end of the Second World War. 207 00:17:32.800 --> 00:17:38.600 That's when it finally hit home, eh. Seeing it announced to the world. 208 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:43.320 Corporal Apiata displayed stunning courage and selflessness, 209 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:49.160 risking his life to save a colleague in a situation of extreme danger. 210 00:17:49.520 --> 00:17:52.200 TV: That's Guyon Espiner, live. 211 00:17:52.520 --> 00:17:59.120 In that small amount of time before the press conference when it was announced, 212 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:03.360 I was trying to get to grips with all the things that were happening to me. 213 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:05.400 Worried? 214 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:13.800 Until then, it had been all sort of surreal. We'd talked about it, we'd discussed how it was going to go, 215 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:18.480 but that's a whole different thing when you see yourself on the national news. 216 00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:21.600 And for Willie Apiata, it's a whole different thing 217 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:26.920 when you have to front up at your own national press conference.