PRIDE IN SHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 46, 23 February 1940, Page 6

PRIDE IN SHIP.

YOUNG N.Z. RATINGS. • TRIBUTES TO CAPTAIN. 0 CONDITIONS IN THE " SPEE." • "It's not because I am serving in the Achilles that I say I think we did better than the others. All my pals on board agree that Captain Parry handled the ehip magnificently, and that it was his skill that brought us through without serious damage and so few casualties. He was magnificent that day—so cool and sure of himself. He gave us the impression that he knew just where each shell would land and dodged it." This tribute, paid bv a young New Zealand rating whose job that day gave him a special opportunity of watching his skipper at work, was typical of many heard this morning. Though there was a marked disinclination on the part of these young warriors to give their names, they were ready to talk about the action, and the first thing each did waa to praise his captain. Few men in any walk of life manage to gain such high tributes from their subordinates. Asked how he liked being back one young rating said it was fine. It was about a. fortnight after the battle, when they had been ou patrol in the South Atlantic, that the good news was received that they were coming home. That was a great day. The time away had been good from the point of view of leave. Every month they had been ashore at a good port-, and that helped a lot. When he waa ashore at Buenos Ay res he met a German from the Spee who told him that conditions on board had been terrible. Food waa short and black bread seemed to make up a large part of the diet. This was in marked contrast to conditions in the Achilles, where food had been good all the time. Asked who had sighted the Speet the young rating said the Achillea claimed the honour, but there was some controversy over it. Then men of the Ajax aud the Exeter thought- the honour was theirs. Quiet pride in their achievement, and satisfaction that they had been lucky enough to take part in thei action, wers moat noticeable. There is no doubt that the men of the Achilles are glad to be home, if only for h spell, and they seem still a little incredulous in the role of heroes.