Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Baker (1908-1958) led the NZ 28 (Maori) Battalion in World War II, from 13 July to 2 November 1942, and was in command during the Battle of El Alamein. The 28th Māori Battalion, or more commonly known as the Maori Battalion, was part of the second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF during World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.