“WE ARE PROUD OF THEM”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21529, 16 December 1939, Page 9

“WE ARE PROUD OF THEM”

Part Played by New Zealanders Achilles In Gallant Action Bv Telegraph—Press Association (Her. December .15, 5.5 p.m.) WELLINGTON. December 15. “I lie people of New Zealand will be thrilled by the fact that one of their own lighting ships, H.M.S. Achilles played so splendid a part in putting the German pocket battleship Graf Spee to | rout,” said the Prime Minister • (Mr M. J. Savage), in an interview. “The sea battle involved a long, j 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 Govern- ' ment and the people, the admiration , which New Zealanders everywhere j feel, and to offer heartiest congratu- ; lations to Captain Parry and the com- ■ plement of the Achilles, which in- ; eludes 327 New Zealand sailors.” : "I have just received a telegram ‘ from our High Commissioner in I London (Mr W. J. Jordan), advising ' me that the Admiralty has not yet , been informed whether or not the | Achilles suffered any damage or casu- i alties, and that the latest Admiralty I statement was to the effect that the ! smallest Dominion navy will be proud of the fact that many of her men took I part in so gallant an action,’ ’said Mr ! Savage. “The High Commissioner, I who is in Geneva at the moment, ' also reports that he received a very ; large number of expressions of gratitude and admiration, in which New I Zealanders in the United Kingdom I join, for the couragepus feats of the i officers and ratings of the Achilles. I It Is indeed gratifying that in this I their first naval action, our boys ac- I quitted themselves in a manner fully I in keeping with the great traditions ■ of the British navy. We are all proud I of them.” Governor-General’s Message | The Governor-General (Lord Gal- ! way) has sent the following message to the Secretary of State for the Dominions (Mr R. A. Eden) in connection with the naval battle off Rio de la Plata:— “Kindly ask the Admiralty to convey to Captain Parry, and all ranks and ratings of Achilles, the most cordial congratulations of the Government and people of New Zealand on the heroic part which they played in the defeat of the Admiral Graf Spee. ' The bravery and tenacity which j they displayed in fighting a ship . armed with heavier guns are worthy of the highest traditions of the British Navy.” Tributes and other dispatches re- l ceived by the Government which were read by the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones), in a broadcast to-night included a message from the First | Lord of the Admiralty (Mr Churchill) ' expressing warm admiration of the j 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 the First Lord by Mr Jones:— “My colleagues and I and the Naval Board very much appreciate your kind telegram. We arc proud that H.M.S. Achilles has been able to take part in this gallant naval j action.” Hearts Must Be Stirred Mr Jones said that 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 victorysecured, 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 for the purpose of witnessing 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.” NEW ZEALANDERS ON BOARD By Telegraph—F'rebs Association AUCKLAND, December 15. Both Surgeon-Lieutenants serving in the Achilles are New Zealanders, Sur-geon-Lieutenant C. G. Hunter being the cruiser’s regular doctor and Sur-geon-Lieutenant C. A. Pittar, R.N.R., having been appointed to the warship on the outbreak of the war. Lieutenant R. E. Washbourn, 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 SubLieutenant obtaining the highest place in the examination for lieutenants. Another New Zealander is WarrantOfficer 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. The Achilles served successfully as flagship under both Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drummond and Commodore

I. G. Glennie, who took her to England early this year for recommissioning. She returned to Auckland a few months later under the command of Captain W. E. Parry.