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Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 5

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H.M.S. EXETER RETURNS BATTLE=SCARRED SHIP WAVES OF CHEERING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 16, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15 Plymouth, to which many famous warships have returned triumphantly through the centuries, gave H.M.S. Exeter a grand welcome as, battlescarred and piloted by tugs, she rounded the headland at 10 a.m. Sirens tooted and waves of cheers rose from the thronged waterfront and continued across the harbour. Mr Winston Churchill, addressing the personnel of the Exeter, said:— ‘‘ln this sombre winter the brilliant action of the River Plate came like a flash of light and colour, carrying with it encouragement to all those fighting and cause for rejoicing to free people all over the world. ‘‘We are especially able to congratulate you on the fortune which enabled you to fight the action in the old style, instead of the long and intricate struggle with mines and U-boats which your comrades in flotillas have been waging here. This great action will long be told in song and story. “Many months, perhaps some years, of long and anxious struggle lie before us, but we face the future in a spirit of serious resolve.” Mr Churchill and the official party then inspected the ship, which, apart from two funnels being pitted with holes from shell splinters, showed little outward signs of the damage which the Exeter suffered in the battle. The German doubts and rumours regarding H.M.S. Exeter, like those of current German broadcasts concerning so many other British warships, of which H.M.S. Repulse was the most recent example, are finally set at rest by the triumphant homecoming of the Exeter.