AJAX & ACHILLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 January 1940, Page 5

AJAX & ACHILLES

VISIT TO MONTEVIDEO & BUENOS AIRES ASPECTS OF A VICTORY PARADE. ROUND OF CELEBRATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association- —Copyright. NEW YORK, January 2. The cruisers Ajax anil Achilles are arriving at midday sinniltaneonsFy at Montevideo and Buenos Aires respectively for 48-liour visits which are in the nature of a. celebration of victory. The Ajax is landing 200 men immediately on arrival for a tour of the city sightseeing in buses. In view of the enthusiasm of British residents and the Uruguayans’ overwhelmingly pro-British sentiment, the tour is expected to assume the aspects of a victory parade Admiral Harwood lias planned dinners and dances for the officers aboard his flagship. Meanwhile the 300 New Zealanders of the Achilles’ crew will be,the guests at a special entertainment by New Zealand residents in Buenos Aires. HEROES’ WELCOME ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS. ATTEMPT TO BOARD CRUISER. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) MONTEVIDEO, January 3. The Ajax arrived. Huge crowds, after waiting for hours, saw the cruiser pass the twisted wreckage of the Admiral Graf Spee. The Ajax raised the Uruguayan and Admiral Harwood’s flags as she entered the harbour and fired a salute, which the Uruguayan shore batteries answered. Enthusiastic crowds gave the victors a heroes’ welcome. Breaking the police cordons, thousands rushed towards the cruiser, but a special guard prevented them clambering aboard. The Achilles appeared shortly after the Ajax and proceeded to Buenos Aires, "where she berthed.