RIVER PLATE BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26026, 14 December 1945, Page 6

RIVER PLATE BATTLE

COMMEMORATION CEREMONY ADMIRAL VIAN’S TRIBUTE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 13. New Zealand’s epic naval event, the battle- of the River Plate on December 13, 1939, was fittingly commemorated at a ceremony at Achilles Point this morning, at which the principal speaker was Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Vian, flag officer commanding the First Carrier Squadron, and second in command of the British Pacific Fleet. Leading public men and representatives of the services were present. Admiral Vian described the site as an ideal one to keep green the memory of one of the greatest sea dramas of all time. From the time, six years ago, when the first word was received that there was likely to be naval contact between Admiral Sir Henry Harwood's three ships and the German pocket battleship Graf Spee, the world was spell-bound as the drama unfolded. It attracted the enraptured attention of all, and for the Germans it reached an inglorious climax. “ It is said that God is on the side of the big battalions, but here it was a case of the big guns of one ship pitted against the small guns of the others,” said Admiral Vian. “ The battle settled a big question once and for all. The Germans had not built up the spirit that makes a navy. Their hope .of world conquest became a dream, for however strong were their forces on land and in the air, they could never achieve world domination on the sea.” Admiral Vian added that it was a matter of pride for New Zealanders that the Achilles had acquitted herself so admirably in the engagement, and he was delighted to have the opportunity of meeting some of the crew. Six of the Achilles’ crew who were present at the River Plate battle were presented to Admiral Vian at the conclusion of the ceremony.