Op Valour Appeal

The NZ Police investigation into Operation Valour remains active and they are continuing their appeal for any possible witnesses or information surrounding the break-in to Waiouru Army Museum on the morning of December 2.

As a result of the break in medal cases in the Valour Alcove in the Army Museum were smashed, VCs were ripped off the wall and stolen. 76 days later, as the result of an intense Police investigation and the offer of a reward for the safe return of the medals, they were handed back to the Police.

However, this is not the end of the investigation; it continues to focus on closing the net around the thieves. The Museum itself remains central to the investigation and it is quite likely that one of us or a friend or relative, has that crucial item of information but probably doesn’t realise its significance.

The break-in followed a particularly trying week in Waiouru, with a helicopter crash, and three major fires, the last of which was only put out late on the afternoon of 1 December, only eight hours before the break-in at the Museum…no doubt many of the fire-fighters were having well-deserved beers that night.

The OCS Graduation had been that Friday, the Grad Parade in the afternoon followed by the Grad Ball in the Officers Mess in the evening. On the night of 1 December, the newly-commissioned young officers were welcomed into the Mess.

It was also the weekend of the annual Saddle Trek and horse floats would have been all around camp.

The preceding week had been a scorcher and the overcast that descended later in the afternoon on Saturday 1 December was welcomed by everyone. That night was comfortably cool with a mild drizzle, low misty cloud and no wind.

Police believe that the thieves may have made an unsuccessful initial attempt to enter the Museum, before making a successful breach through a fire door. There are no indications either way as to whether this first attempt occurred immediately prior to the actual break-in, early the same evening or an earlier night.

Information important to the investigation might be:

1. There were many families, friends and other visitors in Waiouru that weekend. If you had a guest or visitor here, please check with them that they have been contacted by the Police or have completed an Op Valour questionnaire.

2. Police are interested in a light-coloured station wagon seen around Waiouru the night of 1-2 December. Perhaps someone recalls seeing a similar vehicle parked up in an unusual place, or behaving in an unusual manner in the week of the fires. We had a lot of helicopters flying around Waiouru Camp and township that week – might they have observed something?

3. During the unsuccessful break-in-attempt, someone may have been disturbed by noises, possibly on one of the nights before the actual break-in, or on the night itself.

4. Sound carries very well around Waiouru on a still night – did anyone hear the Museum alarm when the break-in occurred around 0110 on 2 December 2007?

5. Did anyone driving along the following roads notice any traffic, especially a light coloured station wagon, between 0110 and 0330 on 2 December over any of these possible routes:
Waiouru-Taupo?
Waiouru-Tokoroa via the Western Access?
Waiouru – Wanganui via Marton or the Paraparas?
Waiouru – Te Kuiti via Turangi or National Park?
Waiouru – Palmerston North via Vinegar Hill or Bulls?
These roads are not very busy in the small hours of a Sunday morning and it maybe that information on any traffic at that time might be useful to the investigation.

If you think you may have information regarding the medals, please come forward.

The 0800 VALOUR number with NZ Police remains active, the NZDF Liaison officer is Major Simon O’Neill on 021-681-975, or you may forward information through the chain of command.