“PEOPLE WILL BE THRILLED”

Southland Times, Issue 24001, 16 December 1939, Page 6

“PEOPLE WILL BE THRILLED”

PART OF ACHILLES IN SEA BATTLE MR SAVAGE PRAISES MEN “NOTABLE PLACE IN BRITISH NAVAL HISTORY” (United Press Association) WELINGTON, December 15. “The people of New Zealand will be thrilled by the fact that one of their own fighting ships, the Achilles, played so splendid a part in putting the German pocket battleship, the Admiral Graf Spee, to rout,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) when interviewed. “The sea battle involved a long and strenuous encounter, which will take a notable place in the glorious annals of British naval history.

“I should like to express on behalf of the Government and the people the admiration which New Zealanders everywhere feel, and to offer my heartiest congratulations to Captain Parry and the complement of the Achilles, which includes 327 New Zealand sailors. I have just received a telegram from our High Commissioner advising me that the Admiralty has not yet been informed whether or not the Achilles suffered any damage or casualties, and that the latest Admiralty statement is to the effect that the smallest Dominion’s navy will be proud of the fact that many of her men took part in so gallant an action. , . “The High Commissioner, who is in Geneva at the moment, also reports that he has received a very large number of expressions of gratitude and admiration, in which New Zealanders in the United Kingdom join, for the courageous feats of the officers ana ratings of the Achilles. It is indeed gratifying that in this, the first naval action, our boys acquitted themselves in a manner fully in keeping with the great traditions of the British Navy. We are all proud of them." The New Zealand Naval Board has sent most hearty congratulations to Commodore Harwood and the officers and men under his command.

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACHILLES SURGEON LIEUTENANTS BOTH OF DOMINION (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 15. Both Surgeon Lieutenants serving in the Achilles are New Zealanders. Surgeon Lieutenant C. G. Hunter is the cruiser’s regular doctor and Surgeon Lieutenant C. A. Pittar, R.N.R., was appointed to the warship on the outbreak of war. Lieutenant R. E. Washboum, who was appointed to the Achilles when she was recommissioned in England early this year is formerly of Nelson and has advanced in a specialist gunnery course. He also won the Ronald Megaw Memorial Prize for 1932-33, this prize being offered annually to the sub-lieutenant obtaining the highest place in the examination for lieutenants. Another New Zealander is Warrant Officer G. R. Davis Goff, one of several New Zealanders who have won promotion from the lower deck. In addition there are 321 New Zealand ratings out of 547 in the cruiser, to them falling the honour of being the first predominantly New Zealand crew of a British warship to engage an enemy ship in action. “NEW ZEALANDERS WILL FEEL PROUD” “Although the news of the naval engagement in the South Atlantic in which the New Zealand cruiser Achilles played such a distinguished part, may cause anxiety in some New Zealand homes, all New Zealanders will feel proud of the heroism and daring pf the ship and men against such a formidable foe,” said the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) last night. “New Zealand owes her very existence to the British Navy, and it fills us with pride to learn of an encounter that adds more lustre to the Navy’s already glorious traditions.” MESSAGE SENT BY LORD GALWAY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 15. The Governor-General (Viscount Galway) has sent the following message to the Secretary for the Dominions (Mr Malcolm MacDonald) concerning the naval battle off Rio de la Plata: Kindly ask the Admiralty to convey to Captain Parry and all ranks and ratings of the Achilles the most cordial congratulations of the Government and the people of New Zealand on the heroic part which they played in the defeat of the Admiral Graf von Spee. The bravery and tenacity which they displayed in fighting a ship armed with heavier guns are worthy of the highest traditions of the British Navy. New Zealanders in the Achilles are: Lieutenant R. E. Washbourn; SubLieutenants E. P. Chapman, H. V. B. Williams; Surgeon-Lieutenants C. G. Hunter, C. A. Pittar; Gunner G. R. Davis-Goff.

Of the 547 men on board, 321 are New Zealand ratings. Up to noon today, the Navy Department had no official news of the engagement or whether the Achilles suffered any damage or casualties. MESSAGE FROM FIRST LORD OF ADMIRALTY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 15. Other dispatches received by the Government, which were read by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) in a broadcast tonight included a message from the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr Winston Churchill) expressing warm admiration of the most gallant action fought by the Achilles. Mr Churchill’s message was:— “May I express the warm admiration which my colleagues and I feel for the most gallant action fought by H.M.S. Achilles, whose services were so generously given on the outbreak of war.” The following reply has been sent to Mr Churchill by Mr Jones:— “My colleagues and I and the Naval Board very much appreciate your kind telegram. We are proud that H.M.S. Achilles has been able to take part in this gallant naval action.” Mr Jones said the news that had been reaching this country by broadcast and cables during the past 24

hours could not have failed to stir the hearts of all New Zealanders. He rejoiced with them in the victory secured and the active part taken in the naval battle by the Achilles. “Last year,” said Mr Jones, “I had the privilege of spending two days on board the Achilles to witness the naval exercises carried out by that ship in conjunction with other units of the New Zealand navy, but little did I think the experiences then being gained would so soon be tested in actual warfare.” GRANT OF £5OO FOR COMFORTS AUCKLAND, December 15. In recognition of the part taken by the Achilles in the sea fight, the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council has made a grant of £5OO for the dispensation through the National Patriotic Funds Board of comforts and amenities to ships companies and all units of the New Zealand Naval * division.