RIVER PLATE BATTLE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26606, 17 December 1951, Page 8

RIVER PLATE BATTLE

LESSSONS TO BE DRAWN

ADDRESS BY ADMIRAL PARRY “It is so easy to forget the lessons of war during a period of peace,” said Admiral Sir Edward Parry, a former I Chief of the New Zealand Naval Staff, ' and commanding officer of H.M.S. Achilles in the Battle of the River ■ Plate, in a broadcast talk last evening. Admiral Parry is on a short visit to New Zealand, and last evening he discussed the battle and the lessons that could be drawn from it. “We are often accused, sometimes Justifiably and sometimes not, of prei paring for the last war and not for I the next,” said Admiral Parry. “At least we had shown that we were ready for one of our enemy’s knavish tricks. And it was not only British countries who rejoiced. Our allies naturally did so. and so did some of the American countries. This certainly applied to Uruguay, for when Admiral Harwood suggested an immediate visit to Montevideo. our Minister there begged him to wait a short time, because we would have had such an overwhelming re? ception that all pretence of Uruguayan neutrality would have been at an end.”

When the Achilles and her companions were waiting to see what the Graf Spee was going to do next, they were very keen to know what was happening inside the harbour of Montevideo, Admiral Parry said. Radio communications were strictly limited to official messages which told them a good deal, but it was not until the Radio Corporation of America started a running commentary from the harbour, describing everything that was happening, that they were really in the picture. “I think there is little doubt which way American sympathy lay even at that time, and they certainly took a dim view of the Graf Spee sinking merchant ships within the security zone which they had declared around the American Continent,” he said.

“I like to think that the Battle of the River Plate showed the world that the Dominions overseas were firmly linked to the fighting forces of the Commonwealth, and were every bit as good,” Admiral Parry continued. “None of my sailors in the Achilles had ever been under fire before; and yet our ship certainly fought as well as the two others. Indeed I would go further and say that the Achilles did more damage to the Graf Spee during the later stages of the battle than the Exeter, which was disabled in the first 10 minutes, or the Ajax, which had half her guns put out of action by one enemy shell.” Commonwealth and Sea Power The real implications of the battle were far wider than its immediate results. Admiral Parry said. “Sea power remains the lifeblood of the Commonwealth, and nothing is yet in sight to take its place. This is because all members of the Commonwealth depend on sea trade for their existence. As an example, here in New Zealand every drop of oil you need, whether it is for aircraft, or for motor transport, or for commercial purposes, has to be imported in ships. If shipping fails to survive, how long will the oil stocks last? “For the last +hree years, during which 1 have beei. commander-in-chief of the Indian Navy, I have been pointing out this fact to the Government and people of India. They also are entirely dependent on oil, and many other commodities which arrive in ships.” Admiral Parry said that although India was part of the land mass of Asia, and had consequently always maintained a large army, she was, from the point of view of trade, an island. Her land frontiers, the Himalayan were almost impassable. and so £ll her trade had to be carried by sea. “India is therefore dependent on shipping every bit as much as you are here,” he said. “She therefore, requires a reasonable Navy, which she has not yet got Unfortunately, unlike New Zealand, she is not yet really | sea conscious. Having served here for three years, I know that you are.” It was very wrong to assume that war was inevitable, said Admiral Parry. “Having seen a good deal of the Russians in Berlin directly after the war, I am quite sure that the ordinary Russians—certainly their naval people—do not want war any more than we do. but the danger is there, and we must all be ready for it. It is therefore very comforting to find that here in New Zealand all possible steps are being taken to keep your powder dry. I am sure that if we all take this threat seriously it will pass.”

VETERANS’ REUNION IN AUCKLAND

CAPTAIN OF ACHILLES ATTENDS

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 16. H.M.S. Achilles’ part in the encounter with the German pocket-battleship, Admiral Graf Spee. 12 years ago was relived in Auckland on Saturday night. A reunion organised by the River Plate Veterans’ Association was attended by 200 members of the cruiser’s war-time crew. The association has held five similar functions on the nearest Saturday to December 13. the anniversary of the battle, but this was a special occasion. The veterans had as guest of honour their captain, now Admiral Sir Edward Parry, K.C.B. With him at the official table were the association’s patron. Commander G. R. Davis-Goff, D.S.C.. R.N.Z.N.. who commands the cruiser Bellona, and the president, Chief Petty Officer D. E. Cowan.

They are among the few New Zealanders in the Achilles company still serving in the Navy. A place of honour in the beflagged hall was given to the ship’s silver-plated bell and to the grimy New Zealand ensign that was hoisted to the main masthead when the cruiser went into action and the first ever used as a naval battleflag. More than half of the New Zealanders who took part in the battle were in attendance. When Sir Edward Parry rose to propose the toast to the association he was greeted by musical honours and cheers. “It has always been a dream of mine that one day I should be able to come back and be at this reunion,” said Sir Edward Parry. Of the River Plate engagement he said: “I will not bore you with reminiscences of battle. You know them too well.” Commander Davis-Goff the association’s gold badge for life membership to Sir Edward Parry and to Mr J. S. Bongard. founder of the association. Before the reunion £ir Edward Parry was present at a sunset commemoration service at Achilles Point, St. Heliers. overlooking the channel up which the cruiser returned in triumph to Auckland on the morning of February 23. 1940.