KIWI FLOTILLA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24793, 17 January 1944, Page 2

KIWI FLOTILLA

MEDITERRANEAN TASK SUPPLIES FOR EIGHTH ARMY (Special Correspondent) (Reed. 10.10 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. is Fuller details may now be published of the important help given by a small flotilla of minesweepers in the Eighth Army's advance from El Agheila to Tripoli. The llotilla was commanded by Commander George Irvine, . D.S.C. t R.N.R., formerly of Masterton, and Lieutenant-Commander C. G. Palmer, D.S.C., of Auckland, who was second in command.

Commander Irvine attended a conference with high ' Eighth Army officers, where he learned that the army in Cyrenaica had only ten days' supplies. Commander Irvine was told that if the army was to advance to Tripoli it was essential the sea shonld he cleared of mines to allow a convoy to arrive at Tripoli immediately after the army. The alternative was a possible retreat, because Benghazi was so badly battered it was then useless as a port. Grim Little Fleet Commander Irvine had five sweepers. He took these and motor-launches, together with 12 tank landing craft, which were crammed full of supplies for the Eighth Army. He was informed that he was to consider every ship "expendable" except those landing craft, which must reach Tripoli within eight days.

It was a grim little fleet which set out from Tobruk for Tripoli. Once they were ordered to turn back, but later thej- continued the sweep. On the voyage to Tripoli from Homs tliev found a minefield and cleared a narrow channel for the landing craft, which reached Tripoli on time. Next day "the sweepers widened the channel for the convoy,' which Lieutenant-Commander Palmer in H.M.S. Cromarty led into the harbour. Vital Link in Operations A few days later Jir. Churchill inspected the minesweeping fleet, circling it in a launch in which also were General Montgomery and Commander Irvine. It was on this inspection that General Montgomery learned that the first and second in command of the flotilla were New Zealanders. He remarked with a smile, "Oh, Kiwi-flotilla, i-iir" The name eventually stuck, although 95 per cent of the ships' companies were Englishmen. General Montgomery also said to Commander Irvine: "You know, I am very fond of the Kiwis. They have been the backbone of this campaign." A few days later General Montgomery paid a special visit to the flotilla and addressed all the ships' companies. Hp congratulated them upon their role.as a vital link in the operations. Later the flotilla continued sweeping to Sousse, thus completing a record long-distance sweep of 1800 miles in five, months. _ Lieutenant-Commander Palmer continued sweeping during the campaign in Sicily and his ship was subsequently mined. He is now in England making a steady recovery from injuries received when his ship was blown, up. Commander Irvine says he cannot speak too highly of Lieutenant-Commander Palmer, who he says is outstanding in courage and ability.

LOCAL AND GEXEBAL Earthquake Shock A slight shock of earthquake was felt in Wellington about 10.18 a.m. on Friday. It was also felt in Palm erst on North, where it was the first experienced for some time. Significant Figures The attendance in a leading Auckland suburban church at the first early morning Communion service to be celebrated in The New Year after Pearl Harbour totalled 187. At New Year, 1943, when the danger seemed less threatening to New Zealand, the attendance at the same service had dropped to 20. This' year the number of communicants was five. Large Shark in Harbour Several fishermen had a thrilling experience early last night when they caught a large shark on a set line off the wharf at Chelsea.' The fish, which was nine feet long, fought for about half an hour against the four men who were attempting to land it. When landed, it was discovered to contain 16 young, each about a foot long. The depth of water off the Chelsea wharf at the time was about seven feet. Gas Producer Cinders Effective precaution against the outbreak of grass fires from cinders raked from the furnaces of gas producer units on motor vehicles has been taken by the Ashburton County Council. At frequent intervals along the main road from the Rakaia River to the Raugitata big petrol drums have been sunk beside the road with prominent notices urging motorists to deposit hot embers there for safety. Many Week-end Fires Fire engines in Auckland city and suburbs were kept busy throughout the week-end answering calls to grass and scrub fires and other minor outbreaks. About 35 alarms were answered in the two days, the majority being calls to grass fires, the most spectacular of which occurred at the summit of Mount Eden at about 4 p.m. yesterday. The Mount Eden brigade attended and the fire was out in a short time. A shed on a vacant section at 67 _ Symonds Street, Onehunga, was extensively damaged by fire late yesterday afternoon. Strange Roll of Honour Errors A prominent Wellington man who served for several years in the last war was recently surprised to hear that his name had been for many years inscribed on the honours board of a local church inside which lie had never been. A small asterisk beside the name, which was undoubtedly his, indicated that he had made the supreme sacrifice. Another surprising feature of this roll of honour was that it also included the names of his two brothers, neither of whom had ever been inside the church. Action: has been taken to have the names removed.

Ferry Steamer Breaks Down Engine-room trouble on the Devon-! port Steam Ferry Company'! vessel Albatross caused the service by ferry steamer to Bavswater to .be discontinued late yesterday morning. The company's launch Masport, usually used at night, took over the service. until the evening, .when _ another steamer was put on. Two ferries of the company's fleet were used yesterday to take large numbers of passengers to Matin tin, Waiheke Island. As there • were 110 buses to or from the Bavswater terminal there were few passengers offering and they were easily accommodated m the Masport.