"DUFF GEORGE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 46, 23 February 1940, Page 8

"DUFF GEORGE."

NAVY'S TRIBUTE. I CHEERS EXCHANGED. 9 STIRRING SPECTACLE. I AOHZUBB EHTZBI HARBOUR. • This morning the Navy flew the signal "D.G."—in naval language, "Duff George!" It has been flown before, and its decoded message, "Manoeuvre Well Executed," has as many shades of meaning as Hawaii's greeting "Aloha." It was flown this morning in tribute to H.M.S. Achilles, as she passed close to the Devonport Naval Base and the ships berthed there. It was the greeting of a sister ship, flown for the first time in New Zealand waters to a member of the New Zealand Division returning from a successful engagement with the enemy. That signal must have meant more to the men of the Achilles even than the whistles of the tugs and the merchantmen in the harbour, even more than the streamer greetings in Queen Street and 011 the wharves, more even that the cheers of Aucklanders as she berthed. Cheers From the Base. "Thank you," signalled Achilles in return; and then came one of the Most thrilling moments of a day of thrills. Lined up on Calliope jetty the officers and ratings stationed at the base lifted their voices in cheers for the Achilles. Ringing across the water from the men of the Achilles came answering cheers, so loud and clear that they were heard in the city. Now it was the turn of the men of > sister warship. "Hip! Hip! Hooray! Three times it crashed out, with a heartiness that told clearly the pride which the men of the New Zealand Dividou lud in their comrades of the Achillea. As heartily came back the chesrs of the Achilles. They, too, were proud, but their cheers said, "We are glad to have earned your approval. It was our luck. It might well have been yours." Those were the epic happenings as the Achilles came to port in Auckland. But from the time she passed Tiri she entered scenes of splendour. The Royal New Zealand Air Force bad the honour of the first greeting. Flying la formation over her, three 'pianos dipped in salute and then preceded her up Rangitoto Channel. Mount Victoria signal station had sighted lici at the same time, an! as she came nearer broke out the Harbour Board's signal greeting. Launches, yachts, Harbour Board tugs and the Admiralty examination vessel awaited her oft North Head and from then on it was a stirring spectacle. At Achilles Point was Nelson's famous signal . . .

"England Expects . . and from the Tamaki Yacht Club tower hung out the code signal, "Well Done Achilles 1" Each of these signals the warship answered with "Thank You." Outlined In Sunshine. Crowds had gathered on the beaches, and on every vantage point of the North Shore, and there was a burst of cheering as the Achilles rounded the Head. It was a sight to be remembered. A glorious sunrise had promised well for the day, and though the sky was darkening now to the west the sun shone brilliantly, outlining the warship in a blaze of glory. It /was a fitting entrance for this ship, symbol of valour and of conquest. With aeroplanes overhead, a speedboat roaring in front, and with a orocession of tugs, launches and yachts in the rear, the Achilles passed up the harbour to the welcome of Auckland and New Zealand. As she had come round the head the warships at the base had broken out the White Ensign, which is not normally hoisted until S a.m., and, by showing their pennants, had intimated to Captain W. E. Parry, that he was now-—in the indisposition of the Commodore—the senior officer on the station.

dose in to the base the Achillea moved to exchange greetings with her colleagues, and then turned her bow towards the city, where the people waited. H.M.S. Achilles was home.