SPLENDID RECORD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 August 1945, Page 2

SPLENDID RECORD

H.M.N.Z.S. ACHILLES DUE BACK TOMORROW Auckland. August 29. j The New Zealand cruiser Achilles is j clue at Auckland early on Friday j morning. She has recent!} Ihjou on ser- j vice with the British Pacific- lied, which she joined at. sea late in May. j The other New Zealand eruiser (lam- ! bin was also due to return to Aiick-i land this month, hut was re-routed to] Tokio to represent the Royal New Zea- j land Navy at the Japanese surrender. : Captain F. J. Butler is in command of, the Achilles and a very large proportion i of his officers and ships company arc New Zealander*. Cai.tain Butler brought tie* [ Achilles to New Zea laud early this year.; at the same time as the British battleship Howe visited Auckland. After leave bad been granted, the cruiser toured several! New Zealand ports before setting out for, the Pacific. The Brilish Pacific Fleet was joined at a refuelling area between the Philippines and Sakishima islands, and the Achilles was present for the la*t two days’ strike against those islands before the fleet was withdrawn to Sydney for replenishment and refit. However, the Achilles did not go to Australia. She was left behind at Mump* in the Admiralty Islands, and later took part in the June attack by several British whips against the Japanese island of Truk. After the ships which went to Australia had refitted and replenished, the fleet reassembled for the more recent operations in the home waters of Japan, and the Achilles was present for the various carrier strikes which were still in progress when Japan surrendered.

As a result, the Achilles is the only vessel in the whole British Navy with the distinction of having been present at the first naval engagement of consequence in the war. the Rattle of the River Plate, and also at the last operations.