MOCK SEA BATTLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21576, 22 August 1933, Page 10

MOCK SEA BATTLE

NAVAL MANOEUVRES CRUISERS LEAVE FOR NORTH AUSTRALIAN SHIPS' VISIT FEATURES OF EXERCISES In preparation for the forthcoming combined exercises and manoeuvres with the Australian Squadron, li.M.S. Diomede, commanded by Captain Cosmo Graham, - left Auckland for Russell yesterday afternoon. She will be followed at seven o'clock this morning by H.M.S. Dunedin, flagship of Commodoro F. Burges Watson, and tho two cruisers will meet at Russell prior to putting to sea for tho mock battle which will be tho central fcaturo of the manoeuvres. The early, departure of the Diomeclo was occasioned by the lact that tests had to be carried out with her port engine. This was damaged last Tuesday when tho cruiser was returning to Auckland from the Hauraki Gulf. Repairs were effected at tho Devonport naval base and full tests will bo carried out on the trip to Russell. Aircraft to be Used The mock battle with tho visiting cruisers, H.M.A.S. Canberra, flagship of Rear-Admiral R. S. Dalgliesli. and H.M.A.S. Australia, will take place on Wednesday and Thursday off tho northern coast. Tho Australian tn arslnps wdl represent a raiding squadron and it will be tho duty of the Dunedin and the Diomede to defend tho coast against them. Both the Canberra and the Australia ore fast, powerful cruisers, carrying Sin. guns. Fach carries a seaplane as well, and the aircraft will be used for reconnaissance work during tho manoeuvres. Tho Fairey III.F. seaplane from the Hobsonville air base, piloted by Squad-. Ron-Leader Ij. M. Isitt and FlightLieutenant S. Wallingford, will cooperate with the New Zealand Squadron. The Fairey is much faster than tho aircraft carried by tho Australian ships and it is expected that this fact will give added interest to tho preliminary manoeuvres beforo tho two squadrons "come to grips." Tho four cruisers will put into Russell at tho end of the week. Here the usual courtesy calls will be exchanged and pulling and sailing regattas will bo held, in addition to various competitions between the squadrons. Special interest is being taken in these competitions by tho New Zealand ratings, as all are designed to test tho efficiency of the various ship's companies on a timo basis for each test imposed.

The Auckland Programme Tho combined squadrons will reach Auckland from Russell on the morning of August 31 and there will bo a full programme of sporting events and social engagements during tho week which tho Australian cruisers will spend in port. On tho Saturday an Association football-match will be played at Blandford Park between elevens from the two squadrons and in the evening tho men will bo entertained at a dance given by the Navy League. There will be a golf match on the Sunday and a hockey match at the Dovonport naval base on tho Monday, while on tho Monday evening .inter-squadron boxing competitions will be hold. On the Tuesday afternoon Australian and New Zealand Rugby teams will play at Eden Park and in tho evening tho Navy League will tender a ball to the officers of the two squadrdns. On September 6 the four cruisers will leave Auckland for the Hauraki Gulf and will carry out combined gunnery exercises before leaving for tho Soifth.