River Plate Veterans To Discuss Frigate’s Renaming

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28819, 13 February 1959, Page 11

River Plate Veterans To Discuss Frigate’s Renaming

(New Zeaiana Press At

AUCKLAND, February 12. The renaming of a former British frigate Graf Spee by the West German Navy has met with a mixed reception by River Plate veterans in New Zealand. Some members of the River Plate Veterans' Association feel it is an insult and that the West German Government should be asked to chainge the name. Others were of the opinion that it did hot matter. “I think they’ve got a damned cheek,’’ said Mr J. T. Goldstone, president of the association, today. “It is hard to understand the "German mentality which is always a bit confused,”

Another former Achilles man who is still serving, agreed. “It is a piece of gross impertinence, es-

pecially as so many of our fellows were killed and wounded in the action. It might be different if they had built the ship themselves, but to rename a British ship Graf Spee is sheer bad taste.”.

Mr L. C. Martinson who lost a leg in the action disagreed. Now a naval dockyard worker, he said: “It is really up to the Germans to call the ship whatever they like once they have bought it. If I buy a section I don’t expect someone to tell me what to do with it. I think we should forget it.”

Mr Martinson recalled the time when the association entertained a former gunnery officer of the Graf Spee who was working in

Auckland. “That should be our attitude now,” he said. “Forgive and forget.” The association will discuss the matter when it meets next week.