New Units For Royal N.Z. Navy Praised By Captain Pugh

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 June 1948, Page 5

New Units For Royal N.Z. Navy Praised By Captain Pugh

(P.A.) Auckland, May 31. With the acquisition of seven modern loch-class frigates the Royal New Zealand Navy has every chance of becoming a “cors d’Elite." This opinion was expressed by Captain C. R. V. Pugh, C.B.E. R.N. speaking at a civic farewell which was tendered him on the completion of his term of service as Naval officer in charge at Auckland. Captain Pugh said the new ships were tnoroughly up to date vessels, possessing most modern equipment it could be Imagined. What a powerful unit they would form, especially when it was also realised that the commanding officer of the flotilla was Commander L. P. Bcurke, D.S.C., R.D., R.N.Z.N., who was ’one of the greatest U-Boat killers living" He had the destruction of three German submarines to hia personal credit.

Repeating the remark of Admiral x'isher and Lord Jeliicoe. that navies were a matter of bases. Captain Pugh emphasised the importance of Auckland as a strategical naval base in tne Empire defence. Referring to Captain Pugh's work as Naval officer in charge at Auckland, the Mayor, Mr. Allum, presented Captain Pugh with Maori carved box and a greenstone tiki.