Post by Administrator on Dec 12, 2014 1:27:15 GMT
75th Anniversary of the Battle of the River Plate:
Saturday December 13, 2014
On 13 December 1939, the crew of HMS ACHILLES engaged the German pocket battleship ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, off the coast of Uruguay, on the River Plate. The ship, loaned to New Zealand by the Royal Navy and crewed on the whole by New Zealand sailors set a precedent - the first New Zealand warship to take part in a naval battle, the first New Zealand unit to strike a blow at the enemy in the Second World War, and the first morale-boosting Allied victory.
The Royal New Zealand Navy is bringing the surviving veterans together for the 75th Anniversary and for one final parade in Auckland on Saturday 13 December 2014.
Street Parade Commemorating the Homecoming of HMS ACHILLES
Time: Saturday 13 December, 11:00am
Location: Queen Street, from Auckland Town Hall to Britomart.
Veterans will lead a parade down Queen Street in four vintage cars. Following them will be the NZ Navy Band and 582 Sailors of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Behind them will be 100 Sea Cadets, the Navy Pipes and Drums Band, and the families of veterans who are no longer with us.
The parade re-creates the HMS ACHILLES homecoming parade in 1940.
The parade will salute the Governor-General at Britomart.
.
Saturday December 13, 2014
On 13 December 1939, the crew of HMS ACHILLES engaged the German pocket battleship ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, off the coast of Uruguay, on the River Plate. The ship, loaned to New Zealand by the Royal Navy and crewed on the whole by New Zealand sailors set a precedent - the first New Zealand warship to take part in a naval battle, the first New Zealand unit to strike a blow at the enemy in the Second World War, and the first morale-boosting Allied victory.
The Royal New Zealand Navy is bringing the surviving veterans together for the 75th Anniversary and for one final parade in Auckland on Saturday 13 December 2014.
Street Parade Commemorating the Homecoming of HMS ACHILLES
Time: Saturday 13 December, 11:00am
Location: Queen Street, from Auckland Town Hall to Britomart.
Veterans will lead a parade down Queen Street in four vintage cars. Following them will be the NZ Navy Band and 582 Sailors of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Behind them will be 100 Sea Cadets, the Navy Pipes and Drums Band, and the families of veterans who are no longer with us.
The parade re-creates the HMS ACHILLES homecoming parade in 1940.
The parade will salute the Governor-General at Britomart.
.